by Vivian Arend
“How about the time Daniel got himself locked in the girls’ bathroom at school?”
Oh God. Having Jaxi as a sister-in-law was dangerous. She knew every story worth knowing, having been around for most of their lives. Of course, half the town had the same memories as well, so it wasn’t as if he had any deep, dark secrets to keep.
Beth blew him a kiss over her shoulder just before the women exited the room.
There was an extra chair in the corner, so Daniel dragged it over and sat in it backward. He rested his arms along the top rail and stared at Blake.
His brother’s eyes were closed.
Daniel snorted. “Glad you’re able to relax and take it easy at a time like this.”
“I’m feeling good enough to belt you into tomorrow if I want.”
“That’s nice. You up for watching your son or daughter arrive?”
“Oh, God.” Blake dragged himself upright, a tinge of green under his skin. “Daniel, this is killing me.”
“Jaxi seems to be doing well.”
“Yeah, except when I’m walking the hall with her, and she stops and does that weird breathing thing and her fingers dig into my arm so hard I know it’s got to hurt like the blazes. And suddenly there’s these white spots swirling in front of my eyes, and if you tell anyone I’m a wimp, I’ll never forgive you.”
He tried to wipe the smile from his face, he really did. “You’re going to have to threaten at least a half-dozen relatives to achieve silence on this one, one of them your wife. I don’t think you’ll have much luck there.”
Daniel offered his hand and Blake accepted it sheepishly, rising to his feet uneasily. “Thanks for the sympathy.”
He pushed Blake in the direction of the attached bathroom. “I feel for you. I do. Got to be nothing worse than having to watch someone you love hurting and not be able to do anything about it.”
“Damn right.” Blake splashed his face with water.
Daniel leaned on the wall and tried to remember the last time his brother had ever lost control like this. “But you’re going to stay and do whatever you need to, right?”
Blake stopped in the middle of patting his face dry and pulled the towel away to frown at Daniel. “Of course, I’m staying. I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Only…” He took a big breath and spoke curtly. “If you notice me getting wobbly on my feet, poke me, hard. That should help.”
Permission to poke his brother. This got better and better. “No problem. I got you covered.”
The door swung open, and Blake hurried across the room to take over for Beth. He brushed a loose strand of hair off Jaxi’s face before kissing her tenderly.
Daniel got distracted by Beth making her way to his side. “What’s up?” he asked.
“She’s ‘feeling funny’ which is usually woman code for the next stage of the game. You ready?”
“I’ll be the one supporting Blake if needed.”
She planted a kiss on his cheek just before the room turned into a flurry of activity. The nurse arrived, then another, although not their cousin Tamara, and Jaxi reluctantly crawled on the bed. People checked her, the doctor slipped into the room. There was a lot more commotion and activity than Daniel expected. He watched everything with fascination until his big brother swayed on his feet.
Daniel rushed forward to sling an arm around him. “You okay?”
Blake’s face had gone totally white. “Yes. No.”
Jaxi slapped her husband on the arm and glared between panting breaths. “Blake Coleman, if you faint, I’ll never forgive you.”
Daniel laughed out loud. He couldn’t hold it in anymore.
A sharp jab in his side was enough to help him stifle his amusement, at least a little. Beth muttered, “You’re here to make sure he stays on his feet, not provide us with a laugh track.”
The nurse and doctor were in position, voices raised, not in anger but excitement. Daniel didn’t pay much attention to what they were saying, instead he alternated between watching the progress of the newest family member, and making sure Blake kept vertical.
The noises shifted from encouragement and hollering to the sturdy cry of a newborn, and a rush of something indescribable hit.
Blake shifted forward, and for one horrible second Daniel thought his brother had passed out. Thankfully, Blake was only moving into position to accept a squalling baby girl into his arms, the hugest grin pasted on his face.
“Well, damn. She’s beautiful.”
He leaned on the side of the bed, and Jaxi kissed him and their daughter before squeezing her eyes shut. “Oh boy, that was tough.”
“Get ready for round two,” the doctor warned. Blinking lights and monitors continued as he turned and spoke to the nurses. A flurry of activity followed even as Daniel choked to a stop, and Beth’s arms around his waist tightened in surprise.
“Round two?” Daniel gasped, confusion crowding in.
Blake turned and grinned, all traces of his squeamishness vanished. “You didn’t think I was freaking out over Jaxi having a baby, did you? She’s made me keep the twins a secret for the past four months, and I’ve been just about ready to burst.”
“You two are incredible.” Beth snuck past the action and kissed Jaxi’s cheek, wiping her forehead. “Only you, Jaxi.”
She smiled, more than a little tired. “Hey, a girl’s gotta have some fun. Figured the baby pool needed a kick in the teeth.”
It took awhile, but when things got moving, they went and did the last bit all over again, with an air of celebration as the second Coleman daughter arrived and proceeded to out-scream her sister.
Beth turned and hugged Daniel tight, hiding her tears from the room as the medical staff finished up all the things they needed to deal with. Daniel cradled her close, brushing her hair and soothing her the best he could without saying a word. It was a bit of heaven to have witnessed this miracle, and a shot of hell to know that he’d never experience the situation for himself.
The room finally quieted until just family remained. Jaxi met Daniel’s gaze, and she lifted one of the girls, the one swaddled tight in her arms. She raised a brow but didn’t say anything, and he wondered again how she figured things out without anyone telling her.
“Hey, you want a chance to hold the babies, or take off and let Jaxi and Blake have time to themselves?” Daniel wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Up to you. Don’t feel any need to rush.”
Beth’s smile was watery but real. “I’d love to hold them.”
They moved back to the bedside, and Jaxi handed over one bundle to Beth. She sat and stared at the little girl whose mouth was pulled into a perfect pucker.
Daniel turned toward Blake and laughed. His older brother looked shell-shocked and hopelessly in love at the same time. “You gonna let me have her for a few minutes?”
“What?” Blake peeled his gaze off the baby and shook himself alert. “Oh, right.”
He passed over the tiny bundle, stroking a finger over the newborn’s cheek before turning to Jaxi and hugging her, his mouth went close to her ear as they spoke quietly together.
Daniel carried his precious burden over to sit next to Beth. The warm bundle wiggled until he settled her tighter against him. “Shh. You’d better get used to being cuddled because there’s an awful lot of people who are going to want to love on you.”
To hold a newborn, sitting beside the woman he loved—Daniel sighed with happiness and regret. For the things he couldn’t change that were a part of his life, for the things he knew he could do something about. He turned from admiring the dark-haired beauty in his arms to make sure Beth was okay.
She was staring back. Her eyes were huge, tears hovering there. But it wasn’t pain or regret, but something rich and meaningful beyond his wildest dreams.
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”
He didn’t trust himself to speak. Just nodded. Reached out and draped an arm around her shoulders and pressed his lips to her forehead and kissed her.
Love h
ad been born that day—and he didn’t begrudge his brother his good fortune one bit because there was too much love in his own heart. Daniel felt ready to burst with it.
It was time to let Beth know. To make sure she felt the same way about him. For them to be a family as well. Maybe not one by blood and birth, but one by choice. A choice that was as real as the babies resting in their arms.
22
“You got everything under control?” Daniel tapped Matt on the shoulder as he placed the steak platter beside him.
Matt shrugged. “It’s not rocket science. I have done this before, you know.”
His brother turned his back on the noise and celebrating coming from the yard, suddenly intent on scrubbing the racks of the barbecue to shiny clean. Daniel sighed then headed back to the house for the rest of the utensils.
Since Helen had taken off, Matt had been—well, not moping, but not the enthusiastic man Daniel was used to seeing. He’d tried digging to find out what exactly had happened, but Joel and Matt both refused to say anything except Helen was gone for good.
He didn’t need more details than the hurt he saw in Matt’s eyes. Helen would find a damn cold reception if she ever showed her face around Rocky again.
In the meantime, there were plenty of other things to distract him. Joel and Jesse were back from another semester of school, living in the basement rooms at his mom and dad’s. He and Matt had moved out. The Six Pack Ranch had invested in a couple of trailers to use for extra living quarters—it was one thing to have the room available in the big house but Matt had insisted, and Daniel had to agree, they were too old to be under their ma and dad’s roof anymore. And since none of them were rushing to push Beth and the boys out…
He swung to admire them. The kids ran in circles, screaming in wild delight as Jesse chased them with a super-powered water pistol. Joel filled water balloons to provide retaliation ammunition, and everywhere there was laughter and smiles. Blake carried one of the baby girls in a sling on his chest. Jaxi wore the other as the two of them sat and chatted quietly with the folks and Beth, all of them waiting for the meat to be done. Everywhere he looked he saw family.
Even Travis had made himself available for the annual family May Victoria Day picnic, although he looked a touch uncomfortable with the sudden increase in small people attending the party.
He snuck up to Daniel’s side. “I got your rides ready for you, if you’re still determined to do this.”
Daniel smacked him on the shoulder. “Idiot.”
Travis grinned. “Hey. Serious? I’m happy for you.”
They stood for a minute, Daniel looking his younger brother over. “I’ve been pretty lucky, haven’t I?”
“Like you’ve got horseshoes up your ass.”
A laugh burst out. “There you go. Now you just need to get yourself kicked and you too can be so fortunate.”
Travis shook his head. “No rush. I’m happy getting things settled around here with you taking over the shop. I certainly don’t need any rug rats tying me up or tying me down.”
“Your loss. But first I have to get her to actually agree to anything.”
“You don’t move very fast, do you?”
Daniel gave him the finger. They finished getting everything together for the meal, bringing out the food from the kitchen, hauling out drinks. Chaos of the best sort reigned for the next hour as dinner passed, the outdoor seating filled with squirming boys and family.
He snuck away as soon as he spotted dessert being served. He’d arranged for Beth to join him while the kids were distracted. It was a damn good thing Travis had already saddled their horses—it was scary how much his hands shook. Daniel patted Thunder and Ruffles, and considered his options again, coming to the same conclusion. Even if he felt like a total chickenshit, it was time.
He led the horses outside, tying the reins to the railing, ready to fetch Beth from the festivities. When he turned, she was already halfway down the path, a straw hat in her hand and pretty new boots on her feet.
“Damn, maybe you want to be a cowgirl instead of a teacher. You look mighty fine.”
“You sweet talker.” She kissed him so thoroughly he had to adjust himself before leading her around the gate.
“You’ve made this ride far more painful than it should be.”
“Me? Little innocent me?” Beth batted her lashes.
“Innocent. Bah.” He paused. “You sure you’re good riding?”
She nodded. “I’ve been doing my exercises, and I have been out with Marion a few times. As long as we’re not doing anything fancy, my leg can take it.”
He helped her mount before swinging himself up and leading them into the field. They followed the course of the creek to where it joined the river, the waters high with spring runoff. Laughter surrounded them as she told him the latest stories about her students, the final exam nerves hitting hard as the school year wound down. Their ride was easy and peaceful, and felt oh-so-right to be together.
“You happy to be teaching again next year?”
“Very. I like the school, and the kids on the whole were great. I think a couple more years will work fine. I don’t know that I want to be teaching when Lance hits my grade, but there’s enough time to worry about that later.”
Daniel grinned. “Lance. Headstrong doesn’t even begin to describe him.”
“You should talk.” Beth’s shining face made his heart sing. Yes, it was time. He leaned over and took hold of her reins, slowing Ruffles to a standstill. “Daniel, if you’ve got something funny planned for us while I’m sitting on a horse, I’m afraid I’m not that kinky.”
“Well, shoot.” He brushed his lips against hers, then led Ruffles and Thunder to the side. “Here I was thinking a little rodeo clown handstand routine would be one of our next experiments.”
He dismounted and tethered their mounts before reaching to grab her. The horses lowered their heads, pulling new grass happily as Beth crawled off. He slipped an arm under her legs, ignoring her cry of surprise as he carried her toward the tree overlooking the river.
“You’re not thinking of—?”
“Nothing unusual. Just relax.” He could have let her walk, but he wanted to hold her.
She softened in his grasp, nuzzling his neck. “I haven’t been out this direction before. Your mom took me to the east, and the north.”
“The river is one of the favourite viewpoints for the entire family. But I asked her to let me have this privilege. To show you myself.”
A small crease appeared between her brows. “Now you’ve gone all mysterious on me.”
Daniel slowed. “You’ll understand soon enough.”
He let her down. He held his breath as she stepped forward, turning slowly to take in the panorama.
“Daniel, this is beautiful. The view—the river is amazing…”
She glanced at him then walked away, headed for the base of the huge cottonwood. There was a bench tucked up to the trunk, the solid legs, the smooth arms of the sturdy construction protected by layers of marine varnish to keep it sound in spite of being out under the elements. Beth smiled over her shoulder, stroking the wood with a flowing touch, approval in her motions.
“You made this, didn’t you?” she asked, turning back to admire it further.
He knew the second she spotted the plaque. The tightness in her body wasn’t fear, wasn’t her about to run, but he wondered if he’d pushed too hard.
Beth turned to face him, her eyes filled with moisture, lips quivering as they drew into a smile that fought to win over her tears. “Oh, Daniel.”
He came to her side and sat them on the bench. She traced the words with a fingertip. Baby Laurie. Held in our hearts forever.
“I wanted you to have something to remember her by. I wanted you to have a place to know that all the good things in your past are not forgotten.”
She lowered her head to her hands and sobbed. His eyes grew watery as he curled an arm around her shoulders and held her. A breeze
floated up from the water, the fresh scent of green growing things mixed with the richness of the earth and the wild flowers in bloom. Everything around them was alive and bursting with the promise of coming summer.
When her crying slowed, he reached into his pocket and brought out the wad of tissue he’d placed there, anticipating it might be needed.
She drew a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
Daniel gave her time to wipe and dry, brushing away his own tears as he settled back farther on the bench.
She snuggled against his side, laying her head on his shoulder. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. Really, I can’t.”
“Don’t have to say anything. I understand.”
They looked over the river, leaves and small twigs floating past, escaping from view around the corner. Beth sighed, a content and peaceful sound. Daniel felt a smile come to his face.
“Daniel?”
“Hmm?”
She didn’t move, just clung to his arm as they stared into the sunshine. “Will you marry me?”
Daniel jerked, dislodging her from his shoulder. “What?”
She turned to face him fully. “I know, it’s unusual, but I figured I started this relationship way back when, but when we slowed down last December…”
Her voice trailed off, her smile getting bigger by the minute.
“Say it again.” Daniel cupped her chin in hand, letting the joy inside him bubble up. “I want to hear it again.”
Beth sparkled. There was no other word for it. “I love you, Daniel Coleman. Every bit of you, from that long hard body that makes me shake with pleasure to the tender things you say and do. I want you to be my husband. To share my life with me. To be far, far more than just a good time.”
Daniel laughed and picked her up in his arms, squeezing her tight as he kissed her silly. When they finally let each other go, there was still a question on her face. “What? You need me to say it?”
“Oh, yes.”
He shook his head. “You realize that’s why I brought you out here today? Not only to show you the bench but to propose.”
Beth covered her mouth with her fingers. “Oh dear, I didn’t mean to ruin your surprise.”
