by Stacey Kayne
She sniffed, a fresh trail of moisture streaming down her cheeks.
"Honey, don't cry. It tears me up when you cry."
"I love it."
"I love you," he said as he lifted her chin, kissing the tears from her cheeks.
"You do recall I can't cook, right?"
Jed shook with laughter as pure delight warmed his soul. "Sugar, I'd eat dirt for the rest of my life if it meant I could go to bed with you in my arms each night and wake with you beside me."
He smiled at her stunned expression. "And I'm sure Corin can give you some pointers. We'll be staying with them until our house is built."
"You're building a house for us on the Double D?"
"Hell, yes. You couldn't find a better place to raise a family."
A family. Joy burst through Rachell, bringing the burn of tears back into her eyes.
"Speakin' of which..." Jed pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "I went to see about the annulment and ended up getting this instead." He held the paper out to her. "You might want to take a look at it."
The mischievous glint in his eyes put a kick in her pulse. "What is it?"
"I think I'll call it a wedding gift."
Jed tucked her against his side as she unfolded the parchment. The name Juniper Barns handwritten near the top of the page caught her attention. Her breath stalled as she read the last line.
Guardianship awarded to Jed and Rachell Doulan.
"I hope you don't mind jumping right into motherhood," Jed said. "I left a rather tall kid up at the house who could sure use some mothering."
"He's well?" she asked, having fretted about June's health since Jed left.
"He's healing, and ornery as sin, but he's ours."
Ours. Nothing could have meant more to her as she stared into the warm, generous eyes gazing down at her. She'd so wanted to be Jed's bride, and he'd surpassed her dreams, giving her a family. She had never loved him more.
"God," Jed whispered. "I'd do anything to make your eyes sparkle like that."
She reached up, hugging him close. "Then promise you'll never leave me again."
He lifted her against him and kissed her lips. "Oh, you're stuck with me, Imp. I should have known better than to argue with Running Bear and his damn visions."
Laughter danced from Rachell's lips as he kissed her. "Does that mean you're my fearless brave?"
"You're damn right I am. And you are the light of my soul."
