“Look at that. I think he knows who I am.” The man who struck fear in the hearts of the few lawbreakers who’d crossed his path over the past months had become, during that same period of time, a man totally devoted to his wife and the baby they awaited. Now he looked absolutely dotty over the tiny bit of humanity he held, a baby whose miniature features reflected his own, Augusta decided happily.
She smiled wearily, ready for sleep. “Go on now,” she told him. “Bertha’s going to send Glory over for the afternoon. You can take care of business and be back for supper.”
He looked down at the baby in his arms. “Where do you want him? Shall I put him in the cradle?”
Augusta shook her head. “No, just put him beside me. I want to look at him.” She scooted carefully down in the bed and held out her arms. “I’ll take him.”
He seemed reluctant to relinquish possession, but, with a sigh, he tucked the infant next to Augusta’s bosom. He bent lower, his mouth seeking hers, and his kiss was long and lingering. “I love you,” he said, repeating the words he’d spoken a multitude of times earlier today while he’d ached for her pain as she brought forth his son.
“I love you, too, Jon.” She felt her eyelids closing and made a valiant effort to smile in his direction. “Thank you for staying with me.” And then as he rose and left the room, she called him back, her voice soft, her words anxious.
“You weren’t put off by everything, were you? I mean, it didn’t make you think twice about having another baby, did it?”
He turned to her, his face blanching as if her questions brought back the concern he’d felt for her well-being. “We can talk about it another time, sweetheart,” he said. “I may have decided that two is enough.”
“Two? I think not, Jonathan,” she said crisply, lifting on one elbow to meet his gaze.
“You promised, Gussie,” he blustered. “Remember? You promised to obey.” And then he was gone, and she settled down on her pillow, content for now to admire the beautiful infant beside her.
“Obey? Did you hear what your father said?” she murmured, crooning the words as sleep overtook her. “We’ll just see about that, won’t we, Nickie.”
ISBN: 978-1-4603-6023-1
THE TEXAN
Copyright © 2002 by Carolyn Davidson
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*Edgewood, Texas
†2000 In-line Christmas Collection
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