Heartwood

by J. H. Croix

  She shook her head quickly. “Yes. I’m ready. Yes!” She blinked again, her lashes damp with tears as she looked up at me. “I really didn’t expect any of this.”

  As I slipped the ring on her finger, a simple platinum band, I murmured, “That makes two of us.”

  She laughed into our kiss, and I tugged her onto my lap. It was chilly, just enough that she shivered. Opening my coat, I rested my chin on her shoulder and wrapped her in it as we looked out over the water.

  There were lots of things I didn’t know, but loving Belle was easy.

  34

  Belle

  The following autumn

  I lay in bed, staring at the beams above my head. For a moment, I was confused. I reached my arm over to where I thought I might find Ty sleeping beside me. But the sheets were almost cool with a hint of lingering warmth. That let me know he’d recently gotten up.

  I rolled to my side, stretching before I kicked the covers off and got out of bed. After belting my robe around my waist, splashing cold water on my face and brushing my teeth in the bathroom, I walked into the main area of our place. Looking across the living room, my eyes landed on Ty. He held our baby, Theo, in one arm as he made coffee with his free hand. We’d named our son after my father.

  “You’re way too young for this,” he was saying to Theo. “But it’s absolutely necessary for me in the morning, so you’re gonna have to deal. Plus, your mom expects it. She gave it up for nine months for you.”

  Tears stung my eyes, and my heart beat out a peculiar thump, a feeling associated solely with Ty and our son. Love was a funny thing. It felt soaring and freeing, but it carried risk with it because it meant so much and felt so fragile. There were still days I couldn’t quite believe I had stumbled into this life.

  Ty heard me as I crossed the room. He glanced over, and my pulse hummed in response. I still couldn’t lay eyes on him without getting a little heated.

  There were major benefits to falling in love with your hottest hookup. Nobody else even came close, and he still had the ability to drive me completely wild.

  “Good morning, sunshine,” he said when I stopped beside him.

  Our baby squealed and greeted me with a smile of pure joy. I kissed Theo and then Ty as Ty tapped the start button on the coffee maker.

  “I tried not to wake you up,” he said as he curled an arm around my waist and pressed a kiss to my temple.

  “I know, but I’m up anyway.”

  Theo wiggled in his arms. Ty moved away, crossing over to set him in his favorite rocker. Silver wound around my ankles when I propped my hips against the counter.

  Ty crossed back over to me, resting his hands on either side of my hips. His eyes held mine, and my belly felt fluttery. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, he kissed me. In a hot second, my arms were winding around his neck and I could feel the press of his arousal against my hip.

  I broke free, laughing breathlessly. “We have an audience.”

  His grin was sly as he straightened. “I think that’s a permanent state of affairs, or at least for eighteen years.”

  I placed my palm on his chest, savoring the feel of his steady heartbeat. Ty was turning out to be an awesome father. He didn’t mind getting up during the night, and if I got up to feed our baby, he sat with me. He also didn’t mind changing diapers.

  “I love you,” I said suddenly.

  “Ditto,” he replied, something he said often. “What’s your schedule today?”

  “I need to come up with the specials for the week, so I’ll be heading in by noon.”

  “Sweet. We can ride in together.”

  Even though we technically worked at the same place, we didn’t see each other a whole lot, except in passing at the restaurant. It was too busy for both of us when we were there.

  “I have an appointment with my doctor this morning,” I added when he turned away as the coffee maker beeped.

  “Oh, that’s right. Did you want me to go with you?”

  “You don’t have to. I can handle it on my own,” I replied.

  Ty’s eyes held mine. “I’ll go. That way, I know the scoop.”

  I almost cried again. Babies and hormones and love seemed to have that effect. I really didn’t expect him to shadow me at every appointment, but my heart swelled that he wanted to.

  He filled a cup of coffee and handed it to me. I caught his hand, reeling him back to me for another kiss.

  T H E

  E N D

  Thank you for reading Heartwood by J. H. Croix! Want a bonus epilogue for Belle and Ty? Get it here.

  You can get all the links to all the Speakeasy books here. Or turn the page for more great recommendations for J. H. Croix and World of True North titles

  You Will Also Enjoy…

  Speakeasy Series:

  Touchstone by Karen Stivali

  Heartwood by J.H. Croix

  Homecoming by Rebecca Norinne

  Sideways by Lisa Hughey

  Wildflower by Mae Wood

  Firefly by Krystyna Allyn

  Starlight by Christine DePetrillo

  Stargazer by Wendy S. Marcus

  Safeguard by Stephanie Rose

  J. H. Croix’s Books Include:

  Into the Fire Series

  Swoon Series

  Dare With Me Series

  Acknowledgments

  To Sarina: it’s such an honor to write in this world - thank you for the opportunity! Gracious thanks to the team at Heart Eyes Press for their support and all-around awesomeness.

  Thank you to my editor and proofreader for helping me make Heartwood the best story it could be. Many thanks to the early readers who catch any details I might miss.

  To DBC for the journey & more, and to my dogs who are the best company when I’m plotting and writing.

  xoxo - J.H. Croix