“Baby, you’re carrying my child. Let me tell Ronni. I have to do it. Say yes.”
Karis gasped. “Oh no!”
“What’s the matter? I’m sorry. I’ll wait.”
Karis held one hand atop her head. “You did tell someone. Max is standing behind you.”
“I don’t care.” He held the phone toward his uncle. “It’s Karis.”
Max came down the steps. “Well, I sure as hell hope so after what I heard.”
She laughed. “Thanks, Max!”
Tanyon sighed heavily. “I’m sorry. He’s worse than a hovering mother. Hear that, Maxton?”
“Tell him to keep his big mouth shut or he’ll deal with me.”
Tanyon burst out laughing. “Yeah, that’ll scare him.”
“Promise to fire him. Please. Tell him to keep our secret. Don’t really fire him though.”
“You tell him.” Tanyon handed his phone to Max. “Red’s on fire and it’s directed at you, Uncle Nosy.”
“Congratulations, Karis. Is my nephew glad? He’d better be or he’ll get a big Marine’s boot up his stubborn ass.” Max gazed at Tanyon with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
She laughed. “Yes, he is. Max, I am warning you. Forgive my rudeness, but keep your damn mouth shut. We want to be the first to tell everyone when the time is right. I mean it!”
Tanyon spoke beside him. “We mean it. Family or not, I’ll fire your ass if you don’t keep quiet, and you’ll have a bull rider’s spur up your behind.”
Karis snorted a laugh. “Yeah, you heard the man, but ouch.”
“Both of you calm down. I won’t take away your sunshine.” Max handed the phone back to Tanyon, and he laughed on his way back to the house.
“Damn. I’m sorry. I should’ve known someone lurked around here. No surprise it was Uncle Max.”
“But you love him. Listen, I have to go and so do you.” As it sunk in, she gave a slow, disbelieving shake of her head. “Wow. Thank you for sharing this with me, my love.”
“Of course. How could I not? It’s my baby son.”
“Or daughter.” Karis smiled. “Do you have twins in your family?”
Tanyon brought his hand to his heart. “Don’t even go there, but no. Talk to you later. Take care of yourself. Give the kids a hug.”
This was the man she’d fallen in love with, and it was a pleasure to see him back to where he used to be. “I will, babe. Have a fantastic day.”
“Love when you call me babe. Later.” He hung up. She pictured him hopping on his horse and galloping out to the fence line. How would he keep from telling Ronni or his brothers? If he did, well, then he did. She wanted to scream to anyone who listened.
She hadn’t had a sensation of being truly happy in a while, but thinking of Rory shadowed the moment. Only time would alleviate the pain. I know you’d be happy for us, Rory. Closing her eyes, she imagined her brother hugging her in his happiness for them. The dark shadow clouding her heart had disappeared under the sunny sky with his imaginary arms around her. She strolled inside and took a picture of the test results then disposed of it and walked it out to the trash. She texted the image to Tanyon for his own keepsake.
Now, in due time they’d tell her mother and Seth, but not right away. Oddly, her mother’s words from long ago rang in her ears. Selfish brat. Was she acting selfish for being happy? No, she refused to let negativity steal away her joy for having a child. They’d made a baby together, and they’d love it whether anyone else did or not.
Tanyon called again. She answered with a cheerful, “Hello. Miss me already?”
“Yeah. Thanks for the picture. Marry me.”
“E-excuse m-me?” She didn’t recognize the high pitch of her own voice.
“Marry me.”
A flush of adrenalin crept through her body at hearing the proposal. How could she react to his surprise? “I-I, I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Karis… I love you. We’re having a baby. We’ve put off being together for too long.”
Would he have asked if she wasn’t having his child? “I… Tanyon, I—”
“I caught you off guard. I won’t ask—”
“Stop, okay? I need time to think. By the way, I assume that is a question, not a demand?”
“Will you marry my stubborn ass? I don’t want either of us to raise this baby without the other. Do you?”
“No. I don’t know how much thought you put into asking. I’ve suspected this pregnancy for weeks now, but you need to think it over after only finding out moments ago. Admit it. Our relationship needs work. Having sex and saying I love you doesn’t constitute a reason for getting married. When it happens, I plan on staying married forever.”
“Starting a family together sure is a good reason to get married. What do you think I want? You know what kind of man I am. I don’t plan on marrying you for a little while.” He paused. “Besides, you’re the only person who can make my nightmares go away. I want forever with you, woman, and I had already planned on asking you to marry me. Ask Ronni and my dad.”
What? He’d mentioned it to them? “You’re sweet, and I want to always be the one who takes away your nightmares. I need time for us being married to sink in. I’d love to be your wife, but I—”
“Need time. Fine. I won’t ask again. Tell me when you decide.”
“Don’t be mad—”
He hung up. Of course, he’d hang up. She thought she’d been the cause of his nightmares. Karis let out a slow breath. In May, she’d returned to the ranch to make it work again because she had never stopped loving him. What was her damn problem in saying yes? They couldn’t pick up like their time apart had never happened. Or had they already? She called him, surprised he answered. “Will you visit this weekend?”
“I don’t know. I need time to think.”
“Don’t be an ass. Please try to come? I won’t ask again.” She disconnected. How silly had they both sounded for Pete’s sake? Again, she dialed.
“What?”
“I’ll bring the kids to the ranch Saturday morning. We’ll spend the weekend if you’ll have a place for us.”
“The room here is yours, Karis. Mine is where you belong though. See you then.”
She peered at the phone after he hung up. No way could she let them go back to where they were a few months ago. She sent a text: I love you no matter what you think about my delay in answering.
A notification chimed: I know you do. Love ya.
The fact he believed she loved him meant a lot. In her heart, she’d marry the man of her dreams. She wanted him to give it more thought before saying yes. “Oh, hell!” He’d given it enough thought or he wouldn’t have asked. She called him.
“Yeah? I’m busy out here.” He sighed. “Sorry. What do you want?”
Cows bellowed around him, and she pictured him doing the job he loved in tending to them. “Yes.”
“What did you say?”
“I said yes, Cowboy. I’ll marry you.”
“Hooo, boy. Let me get off this horse before I tumble onto my head. You’ll marry me? This means yes?”
“Turn on your screen.” She waited to see his face. “What do you see?”
“The mother of my child, a gorgeous woman, smiling.”
“Yes, Tanyon Jesse Outlaw, I’ll marry you.” The corners of his mouth quirked. “I love you so much. We’re having a baby!”
Tanyon dropped to the ground, bent up his knees, and rested his elbows on them. He grinned. “We’re getting married? Wow. Life will be different. I’ve waited for this day.”
“I’m sorry it took so long.”
“You’re worth the wait.” Tanyon stood and held the phone near his backside. “Did I sit in cow dung?”
She raised her chin high and gave a wolf whistle. “No, darlin’. Your ass is fine!”
“I know. Get yours here as soon as you can. I have to go. My brothers wasted no time laughing their asses off at me dropping to the ground. They’ll expect an explanatio
n.” He pointed his phone toward them.
There they sat on their four-legged partners. She swore the horses laughed too. “Keep them guessing. It’ll drive them nuts.”
“Oh, I plan on it. Talk to you later. Hug the kids…including the one you’re carrying. Bye.”
She hung up and slid her hands over her belly to hug her little seed of a life. “I love you, little pea.”
Chapter Fourteen
Tanyon had called her shortly after she’d accepted his proposal, to tell her the next court date had been postponed due to the new information Nick had given to Kevin and his attorney. She’d breathed a sigh of relief. His updates warmed her heart. He trusted her again to stand by his side.
On Tuesday, a week later, she and the kids left the hospital for lunch. Tanyon called before they got to the car. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“I’m at the courthouse. Dad called. Nick took off again.”
“What? Oh, no. I’m sorry.” The sound of footsteps followed his pacing. “Try to remain calm.”
“I’m pissed. Finding Nick was all in vain. Something happened to make him change his mind. Hold on…”
She detected fear in a strong man’s voice. How her heart pained for him and his family. Her future family could within moments lose… No, how could they lose when—
“He’s here, Karis. Fantastic. Nick’s aunt and siblings are with him. He said he wanted Logan to know he didn’t scare him anymore. He’s here to talk.”
“Honey, I’m so happy—”
“Thanks. Karis?”
“Yeah? Is something else wrong?”
“Nope. The opposite. Come up tomorrow so we can get our marriage license. Let’s get this moving along. Besides, I need to see you. You’ve been gone too long.”
Karis hesitated but only for a moment. “Okay. Do we need an appointment?”
“Probably, but I feel spontaneous. Wait. Let me come get all of you. I’ve never seen you pregnant,” he whispered. “Don’t make me miss out on each step.”
“I won’t, but honey, I look the same so far. No difference.” She chuckled. “We’ll be waiting for you.”
“I’ll see a difference. Around ten?”
“Perfect.”
“Dad’s waving me into the office. I have to go. See ya tomorrow.”
The call had dropped but she said it anyway, “I love you.”
∞∞∞
Early Saturday morning two weeks after picking up their marriage license, excitement overwhelmed her and the kids as they prepared for their second trip to the ranch, but this time she’d drive them up. Not long after getting their marriage license, she took it to show the social worker to prove the kids would have an even more stable life now as a full family, in case they’d had doubts about her continuing as their guardian.
Without Karis knowing, her mom had explained to the case worker, why she hadn’t been there, and that her mom had wanted the kids to spend time with her. To reiterate to them, the kids had never been neglected or abandoned. It tore Karis’s heart out that they thought she had. Karis warmed toward her mother for clearing it up. Albeit, if she had to do it all over again, the kids would’ve gone with her to the Two-Five.
The kids chattered and gave an occasional laugh at the breakfast table. She finished her makeup. While applying blush, she noticed a fullness to her face. He’d noticed two weeks ago, but she hadn’t yet seen it.
Untidily, she packed her smallest piece of luggage and took hers and the kids’ luggage to wait near the door. A minute hadn’t gone by in the last two weeks when she hadn’t thought about marrying him, starting a life together, and having his child.
On the previous quick visit, Ronni and one of her friends from town who had kids, had taken Mia and Austin on a short trail ride. She and Tanyon had snuck off to the courthouse in secret to get the license. They’d crept back into his house when they’d arrived home and into his bedroom for nothing else but to lie in each other’s arms. His hand had lingered on her belly…until it had turned into more. Together, they’d experienced their first-time making love as expectant parents. She smiled as she visualized their passion for each other that lazy afternoon before he’d driven them back to Phoenix in Max’s truck.
She snapped herself out of reminiscing and rinsed dishes. Mia helped to load the dishwasher. “What a sweet girl you are, honey. I love you and Austin so much. We’ll let this run before we leave.”
Austin slopped milk all over the front of him while trying to laugh and drink at the same time from his third bowl of cereal. Karis directed him to his bedroom to change his clothes but then Tanyon called.
“Hey, guess what? After the meeting with the prosecutor, Logan, his troublemaking friend, and Rudy were hauled in for further interrogation. Logan’s family had been invited in for questioning as well.”
“Oh, how fantastic. We’re nearly ready to leave.”
“Great. I don’t know what happens now, but the future of our ranch is beginning to look brighter.”
Her heart soared to hear his excitement. “I’ll see you soon. I can’t wait to run into your arms.”
“Let’s make your stay permanent sooner than later. You’re their guardian. Honey, you know the kids can live here, right? I want to make sure you know I want them too.”
“I do. Austin would be thrilled. He loved the trail ride and helping in the barns.”
“We still have a Sedona trip to make up for. With the kids or not.”
“We will. Mom’s improving every day. It won’t be long before Seth arrives home. I love you, babe.”
“Let me talk to Austin.”
“Okay.” She handed the phone to Austin. Her nephew spoke low but kept smiling. He turned his back to her, though she listened to his end of the conversation, learning nothing.
“I won’t. Okay. Bye.” Austin handed the phone back and ran away.
“What’s going on now?” she asked.
“A secret.” He grabbed his suitcase and rushed into the bedroom. “Come on, Mia, bring your suitcase.” His sister did as Austin told her to do.
“Wait, you two.” She rushed after them. “What are you doing? Your stuff is packed—”
“We forgot something. Stay out.” The bedroom door slammed, but then it opened and Mia hurried to her room with her suitcase in hand. “Go away, Aunt Karis.”
Karis rolled her eyes and went to the bathroom to rinse out Austin’s shirt. Whatever it was Tanyon had told them made them into two happy kids. Before leaving, they drew straws to see who sat up front on the way to the ranch.
∞∞∞
Regardless of who had won the front seat, both of them chose to sit in the back to watch a video on Karis’s tablet. After a brief stop to see her aunt and cousins on her dad’s side, excitement loomed the closer she got to Wills Bend. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but one more issue happened to Tanyon’s best truck. This time the air conditioning went out.
The kids dozed on and off with an occasional squeal from one or the other. Mia was on Austin’s side or vice versa. They settled down after asking a hundred times if they were there yet and complained, saying it was too hot. Well, it was. “Hush, or I’ll put one of you in the bed of this truck.” At least someone feared her words.
“Aunt Karis. I hate school.”
Mia butted in. “Not me.”
“Come on, Austin, give it a chance. You’ve been back a short time.”
“I don’t care. You aren’t working. Why do I have to go to school?”
“Oh, buddy, you’re wrong. I’ve been tending to cattle and giving trail rides all summer. I’ve been working hard. It’s far different from my work at my clinic. Believe me, it’s tough.”
“That’s what I wanna do when I grow up.”
“Me too,” Mia offered again.
Karis peeked into the mirror at them. “Okay. After college.”
She fanned herself with the fan Mia had made from a coloring book page. Of course, she needed a bathroom stop. Now, they were on the
final stretch. At least the truck continued to run with no problems other than no air conditioning during late summer in Arizona. Knock on wood.
Her phone rang again and Tanyon’s name came on the screen. She dropped the fan and rolled the windows up. “Hi.”
“Hiya. Did I mention the big barbeque tonight?”
“No. You’re having a party? Was this a last-minute plan?”
“Nope. Sort of.”
Austin broke out in laughter. She peeked back, observing the happiness in his giggles. Mia too.
“Yep. Lots of people from town are invited. Mom and Dad will be here with some friends. Uncle Max is doing the food up right. Is your answer still yes?”
She chuckled. “Of course, it is. I’m excited. And starved!”
“We’ll have tons of food. How come the kids are quiet?”
“They aren’t. Austin would be rolling on the floor laughing if he wasn’t strapped in. I threatened to put them in the bed of your truck.”
He lowered his voice. “Will you do that to our child?”
“Yeah, if I have to.” She grinned. “No, I wouldn’t put any of them back there for real. What’s the matter with you?”
“Teasing.”
“When baby hormones kick in, you best stop teasing.” She had to roll the windows back down to let in a breeze.
“Why’s it so loud?”
“Oh, the air conditioning went out. Mister Outlaw, you need a new truck. Find my keys so I can drive my own car!”
“I found them.”
To hear him, she had to roll the window up again. “You found them before then lost them again. Put them on the dresser and don’t touch them.”
“Blasted! I did again. Damn, they aren’t in my pocket. Where did I put them? Son of a gun.”
“You better be joking.”
“Sorry. I’m not. Wrong jeans is all. I think. Why didn’t you get a new key made or bring a spare with you?”
He forgot what she’d told him? “They certainly aren’t at home so they must be in my car. Or, out of sight, out of mind as you would say.”
Tanyon laughed. “Ah, are baby hormones starting?”
Karis sighed. “I’ll see you soon. I’m serious. Find those keys. The car key isn’t the only one on there. So is my office door key at work, and my gym locker. I had to call a locksmith to do some testing.”
Imprisoned In A Cowboy's Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws Book 1) Page 20
