Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
It’s the littlest of shrugs raising her shoulders, and when they drop again, the sweetest smile shapes her lips. “We weren’t careful,” she says, this conversation now making a lot more sense.
I reach over to hold her hand, resting it on her lap. “We weren’t trying to be.”
Her gaze sharpens on mine with assurance housed inside, and a soft laugh escapes her. “No, we weren’t.”
Pivoting my gaze to the property where we’ll be raising our children, I realize one day is sooner than I thought. It’s arrived. I drop my head forward and try to wipe the moisture collecting in the corners of my eyes.
Lauralee rubs my back, and whispers, “Are you okay?”
Who am I kidding? She sees through the act. I choke down the emotions that want to overwhelm me and reach over to cup her face, kissing her and holding her to me. When we sit back, I take her hand and briefly eye the test in the glovebox again. “You’re pregnant?”
“Seems the hometown hero knocked me up.” As tears that shine with happiness glisten in her eyes, she laughs. “The whole town’s going to be gossiping when they find out.”
Chuckling, I reply, “Let ’em. I got the girl, the life, and the dream come true. I even got the car. They could only be so fortunate.” I lean over and kiss her forehead, lingering there a moment as my heart settles.
Before I can return to my side of the car, she captures my face in her hands and kisses me again. It feels needy and gentle at the same time. I can relate. When our lips part and her lashes flutter open, she looks at me the same as she did when we spoke our vows to each other, and whispers, “Thank you for choosing me.”
As if there was ever a choice in the matter . . . I never stood a chance. From the moment she knocked me sideways with that pillow, I knew she was different, and the one I was supposed to be with. I used to pretend the concussion didn’t play a part in that decision. But I couldn’t rule it out. Now I can. I was a goner for Lauralee from that night onward.
We were always meant to be, and being together is something I’ll never take for granted. “It was always only you, baby.” We both sit back, a wave of peaceful relief rolling through me. When I glance over at her, she’s wearing the ridiculous grin I can’t wipe off my face.
“It’s going to be a whole new era for us, Baylor. You ready for it?”
“I’m ready.” That keeps the smile where it’s supposed to be, right on that pretty face of hers.
“Want to bet?”
“Sorry, I’m not a betting man, Shortcake.” Running my fingers through the back of her hair, I smirk. “But if I were, I’d bet my life on it.”