Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
The finality and sincerity in his words break through my weeks of insecurity and wedge low in my soul. I was stupid. It’s coming, and it’s going to be ugly because all the fear makes its way to the surface and escapes on a wail. I bury my face in his shoulder as the tremors take over and I cry.
“You want us?”
“More than anything in this world.”
“I’m not a single mother?”
“Never in this lifetime.”
“You want this baby?”
“I want it all. Baby, marriage, house, headaches… but not necessarily in that order.”
I giggle through sobs and clutch at his chest. “I’m not a headache.”
He grins into my neck and kisses a path to my ear. “Julianna, you are.”
I sniffle and hiccup, and at the same time, he’s freeing his hand to wipe at my face. “I need to use the restroom.”
He swings his legs over the side, hefting me up and taking me to the vanity. I hide my face in my hands, knowing exactly the hot mess express he doesn’t need to see. His lips sweep across my forehead.
“When you get done, I’ll feed you.”
I nod as he leaves, food far down on my list right now.
I take a few seconds to recap the enormity of the morning.
Major Powers loves me.
He doesn’t only love me, I’m the love of his life.
He’s not running, angry, or resentful.
He wants this baby—with me.
He thinks he’s trapped me.
At this, a giggle bubbles up and I hop off the counter, catching my reflection.
“Okay, little bean. Looks like Daddy isn’t mad.”
My stomach grumbles in response, making me smile.
Now, we just have to get through my family’s response.
29
Major
Wringing her neck is tame, considering my other options. Spanking her ass, hauling her back to Nashville, and locking her in my room is my first choice.
I slam out of my truck, watching her gallop on the white horse I now know as Doobie. Her carefree appearance turns tentative as she approaches.
“Thought you were getting gas.”
Wrong thing to say.
“Julianna, get your ass off that horse.”
“Why?”
I tear off my sunglasses and glare at her. “Because you are pregnant, and riding a horse is dangerous.”
She rolls her eyes and guides the horse past me into the barn and into his stall. “Did your nightly reading tell you that?”
“Among other things.”
“You’re reading the wrong things. Vitamin D, fresh air, and relaxation are recommended.”
“We had a deal, no more riding.”
“No, you declared it wasn’t safe, and I ignored you.” She swings off with the grace of a professional, and I catch her waist mid-air.
“No more riding.”
“Calm down, caveman. This is the last time for a while. Who knows when we’ll be back? I can’t swing up on Doobie when I have a beer belly.”
“That beer belly is a growing boy.”
She spears me with slatted, glowing eyes. “Stop saying that! This could be a girl.”
“God wouldn’t do that to me.”
“Our first will be our last if you don’t calm that shit down.” She kicks out her legs, and I pull her earlobe between my teeth.
“Baby, I got you pregnant our first time together. Probability of it happening again is high.”
Her face twists up to mine, sending a fiery storm searing into me. “Actually, know-it-all, it could have been within the first seven times. Don’t sound so smug. Plus, we’re doubling up precautions. After this, you’re wearing condoms.”
I don’t even try to hide the hilarity, laughing in her face
“Stop laughing. You’re going back to gloves, sheaths, prophylactics, and I’m getting an IUD. No more slip-ups.”
“You want a new birth control, that’s your choice.”
“And condoms.”
“We’ll see.”
She wriggles again, and I set her on her feet, taking her hand and walking back toward the truck. “It’s time.”
Her irritation deflates and she sighs. “I know.”
“We’ll come back as soon as we can.”
“It’s not that. I feel like these last two days have been a dream. Outside of my annoying family, it’s been us. I liked it. Well, maybe not the celibacy part.”
“Outside of the celibacy part, I loved it.” This is true. After our talk, Jewls reverted. She may love city life, but out here, she exposed another version of herself. Each night, her mom invited the extended family to dinner, and it was a free for all. I now know she’s not exaggerating about the craziness that comes with her blended family.
Last night, when everyone was leaving, she asked her brothers to stay, and we told them about the pregnancy. Gill wasn’t surprised, most likely because Margo had shared to help soften the blow.
Toby sat in silence for a minute, taking it in. Caleb had the opposite reaction. He charged me like a bull. I was prepared to handle him with no blood shed. Then Jewls stepped in at the last second and he sent her flying back.
Her scream caused rage to detonate inside me. It took one arm to toss him back with enough force he landed on his ass. I was a second away from hauling him outside when Jewls stopped me. She approached him slowly, her face furious with emotions. She landed a punch that had him on the floor again. I learned my wildcat has a sharp right jab.