by Mila Nicks
“We just got married,” Juliette whispered and then giggled.
He nodded and drew her in for another affectionate peck. “Wait ’til Tank finds out he’s got a new mama.”
Epilogue
1 Year Later…
“Will you please stop egging him on?” Juliette groaned as they walked in the park.
“Now why would I go and do that?” Preston asked back. He was grinning, his posture lax and air even laxer.
It was Sunday and they were spending another glorious afternoon at the local park, taking Tank out for some much needed exercise. The French Bulldog had gotten comfy during their first year of marriage, gaining a pound or two he needed to work off with plenty of family walks.
Juliette stopped short, holding his leash as he stopped to attempt a pee on yet another tree. “You keep encouraging him and he’s never going to get the hint.”
“Again, why would I want him to?”
“Because then he’s going to rope me in somehow,” she replied. She gave Preston a stern look. “How many times do I have to tell you both I’m not interested?”
“Oh, c’mon, Jules. It ain’t so bad.”
“Ain’t so bad?” Juliette raised her brows and put a hand onto her hip. “I’m not about that outdoorsy life. You’re my bestie. You know that better than anyone—remember that time you tried to get me to go rock climbing?”
“You’ve rock climbed before!”
“Indoors. Not outdoors!”
Preston chuckled, slipping an arm around her. Tank got the hint and gave up on peeing on the tree, trotting in front of them down the winding pathway. They eventually settled on a park bench. Tank flopped onto the grass with his tongue hanging out, eagerly seizing the chance for a rest.
“You don’t have to worry. You can stay indoors,” said Preston.
“I’ve been before and that’s not what happens. We all get dragged out to go with you.”
“Sounds like fun to me.”
Juliette bit her bottom lip and poked Preston in the side. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll do it if you do something I want to do.”
“Ut, oh. And that is?”
“Spin class. Tuesday. You. Me. A screaming instructor and techno music. Lots of aches and pains after the fact.”
Preston hung his head, now his turn to groan. Juliette relished in the sight, giggling and watching his dread unfold on his features. It was only fair. If she was going to have to be cooped up where she didn’t want to be for a week, he could stand to suffer an evening of intense working out.
“Fine,” Preston conceded. He dug into his jeans pocket and pulled out his phone. “I’m going to text him and tell him we’re in.”
“And the cabin has air conditioning?”
“Probably.”
“Preston!”
He laughed. “Alright, alright. It does. Weren’t you listening when your dad told you about the new one he had installed?”
“Didn’t you see my eyes glaze over as soon as he started talking about hunting and fishing and anything at his cabin in Virginia?”
“You’ll love it. Gigi will be there to keep you company. You can hate it together.”
That perked Juliette up. She nodded along as it occurred to her that Gigi was even less of a fan of the outdoors than she was. If anyone was going to be suffering for the seven day family trip, it was going to be her.
“Your dad just responded,” said Preston. “He says, he knew you’d say yes!”
“Why are you and my dad best buddies?” she teased.
“Remember that whole hide your mamas, hide your grandmamas? Guess it’s hide your papas too!”
They laughed together as Tank rose up from the grass and barked at a German Sheppard passing them by. Juliette and Preston looked at each other before another laugh escaped them and they got the hint. Tank was ready to get up and moving again.
“I’m actually excited,” Juliette admitted after they started down another path in the park. She flashed him a sideways smile. “It’ll be good to see the family again. Mom’s been telling me Dad’s as good as new—and he’s even on a new health kick. Of course, Gram Babes rats him out. Apparently, he still likes himself a desert every now and then.”
“Can’t blame the man for having a sweet tooth,” said Preston. He stopped short and turned for a look at her. The shine in his blue eyes had transformed, the summer afternoon light brightening them. His hand instinctively flew to her stomach, smoothing over the slight curve there. “Are we going to tell them our news?”
Juliette loved when he touched her stomach, which he did often. Not only did it feel good, relaxing her after a long day, but it reminded her of the many wonderful milestones to come. Over the past year they had celebrated many from their small wedding in Paradise Key to moving in together and a relaxing two week honeymoon. They were in the works of buying a home when their next milestone sprang up on them as a surprise. Though it was unplanned, it was a happy accident—the family they had dreamed of finally starting.
“I’m hungry,” said Juliette.
“There’s a coffee shop across the street. They have those strawberry pastries you like.”
She smiled and nodded, wrapping an arm around his arm. “Let’s go.”
“You know what I’m about to say to that, don’t you?”
“Preston, don’t start!”
“Perfect time for you to replace that coffee.”
Juliette half growled, half snickered as the couple crossed the street with Tank trotting along. “Preston Brooker, you are so lucky I’m in love with you.”
Also by Mila Nicks
STAND ALONES:
Love’s Recipe
Happily Ever Afters
North Star Angel (Coming Dec 2020)
SERIES:
Paranormal Hunters
Black Witch Magic
Black Moon Rising (Coming Spring 2021)
Wild Horse Ranch
Chasing Wild Horses
Taming Wild Horses (Coming Jan 2021)
Wild Horses Coming Home (Coming Summer 2021)