“Hey there, Princess! Miss me?” he asked happily, picking her up and spinning her around the room. Sabine felt nausea rise again as Jack pulled his head back just before kissing her. “Have you been sick, honey?”
“Oh Lord,” she breathed and ran for the kitchen again. It was so strange that, before, she hadn’t been sick. But now, she had thrown up more in the last ten minutes than she had in the last three months. “I’m fine,” she said finally, rinsing her mouth out and rejoining him near the tree. “I’m so glad you are back home!”
“Miss me much?” he teased and pulled a package out from behind his back. “I thought we’d make our first Christmas together special. But if you aren’t feeling good, we can wait.”
Seeing the brown paper packages and his happy smile, she gestured that he should have a seat by the small Christmas tree. He shook his head no and had her sit down in the rocker.
“You rest, love,” he offered and handed her the first box. He held three of them and Sabine instantly felt guilty because she had only one box, yet her gift would be coming much later next year.
“You shouldn’t have,” she protested as she happily tore open the box. Jack smiled and said, “I know how much you liked singing when we first met.” Inside was a leather-bound hymnal that was marked with her initials.
“That was so sweet, Jack. Thank you,” she said and flushed when he handed her another box. This one much smaller.
“The first made me think of you,” he started, “but this one is to show the world how much I love you.” Opening the box, she stared at the delicate filigree ring. It was a very wide band of gold that looked to be lace. He took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. It was slightly loose but not horribly so. With guessing the size, she was frankly amazed that it fit so well.
“It’s truly beautiful,” she breathed, staring at it. “But it’s too much.”
“There is nothing too much for my princess.”
“I’ve opened two boxes and you haven’t opened yours yet.” She started feeling her throat get thick at the love in his eyes. If this kept up, she’d be an emotional wreck. He leaned towards the tree and picked up the box she had placed there. Glancing up, she saw the curious look on his face. “Open it, please.”
It seemed to take forever but it was only seconds before he was pulling the lid off the box. Pulling out the delicate ivory cap, he stared at her. Tiny ivory knitted booties lay in the box underneath. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Oh yes,” she breathed excitedly, tears welling up. “We are going to have a baby, well babies.”
“Two?” Jack said stunned. “How do you know? Is that why you were sick?”
“Let’s just say that I have it on very good authority that there will be two. I will have to make another cap and bootie set for our little ones.”
Sabine and Jack just stared at each other. Both at a loss for words, he because he was finding out he was going to be a father. She was simply stunned that saying it aloud felt so real. “Two? You’re certain?” he repeated with a wide, proud smile. “Two beautiful babies!”
“You’re happy?”
“I’m thrilled!” he yelped, jumping to his feet excitedly. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her from the chair and danced around the room. “I can’t believe it!”
“Jack, stop,” she laughed. “I don’t want to get sick again.”
“Oh no! No, I’m sure. I’m just so… so… happy, darling. Thank you!”
Laughing, Sabine walked into the other room and returned. She settled in the rocker again. She pulled the lap quilt over her dress to help keep warm and handed him a large plate with white squares on it. “Let’s open the last one while you get to have your other surprise.”
“I don’t think anything can top the last one.”
“No, it won’t be as wonderful but it will be sweet,” she hinted. “I made marshmallows.”
“I don’t have a sore throat,” he said, confused. She remembered that the root was used for irritations just like horehound. It really didn’t become a candy until much later.
“You don’t have to have one in order to enjoy the taste. Look, I know that people use the marshmallow root for a remedy, but try them. They are divine,” she promised, handing him a white square. Taking a big bite, Jack shut his eyes happily and chewed. He nudged the final box towards her indicating that she should open it as he picked up another marshmallow.
Sabine opened the package and stared. Glancing up, she must have had an expression on her face because he suddenly stopped chewing and looked worried.
“Whuut?” he said thickly and struggled to swallow the thick confection. “What’s in the box?”
“You didn’t know? This isn’t from you?”
“No, it was sitting on the porch. I assumed it was from a neighbor.”
“I think I know who it is from. While it wasn’t what I was expecting, I guess, technically, I did ask for it.”
“Sabine, what is inside?”
“A pink gun,” she said, grinning at him. Jack’s warm laughter joined hers as he saw the gleaming Colt revolver inside with a shiny pink handle. “I said I’d never carry a gun unless it was pink, so I guess I will need to start learning at some point.”
“I’d be happy to teach you, love. After all, you’ll have two babies to protect. I am thinking you won’t need that gun if someone endangers our family. You are fiercely loving and our children will be lucky to have you as their mother.”
“Amen to that.”
Afterword
Thank you for taking the time to read Enchanted by You. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders <3 Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ginny
About the Author
Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or via email at [email protected]
Acknowledgments
Cover Design by Emma Rider at Moonstruck Cover Design & Photography
Emma - it’s truly beautiful. Thank you! <3
Also by Ginny Sterling
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Handfasted to You
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Treasured Bride
Beloved Texas Bride
Enchanted by You: Timeswept Soulmates (Timeless Brides Book 3) Page 14