by Cassie Miles
But Jesse and Burke had brought his favorite hat. As soon as Dylan put it on, he became a cowboy. The owner of the Carlisle ranch. The man she loved.
Separating from Maud, she said, “I need to talk to Dylan.”
“I’ll be here.”
“You always were.” Nicole squeezed her hand. She couldn’t ask for a more attentive friend or a wiser mentor.
Dylan must have sensed her moving toward him, because he turned to face her. In spite of everything else that was happening in the A-frame office, he focused solely on her. He grasped her hand. “Come outside with me.”
“It’s still snowing.”
“And mercifully cold,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been parboiled from that cave.”
She slipped on her jacket and went with him. They strolled through lightly falling snow to the side of the A-frame where they could have privacy.
“In the cave,” he said, “I asked you a question.”
“Not yet.” She placed her hand on his chest. “There’s something I have to tell you first.”
“Okay, darlin’. I’m listening.”
She could tell that he truly was paying full attention. “We have a new member in our family.”
“Maud,” he said.
“Yes.” She swallowed hard. He’d seemed so resistant to the idea of having children. How would he react? “And there’s another. Dylan, I’m pregnant.”
He drew back, as if her announcement had physically smacked him in the jaw. “We’re having a baby.”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure?”
“When Doctor Sarah did blood tests on me, she found out.”
He went silent, and her heart sank. This was a mistake. She should have known. His resistance with the fertility doctors should have been a clue.
“In my whole life,” he said, “I’ve never been so scared. What if I make mistakes? What if I’m not a good dad?”
“You will be,” she said.
Tears spilled down his cheeks. The cowboy who never showed emotion was weeping openly. “This is more than I ever hoped for. A baby. A precious little baby.”
“Our baby.”
He threw back his head and gave a whoop, tore off his hat and threw it in the air. After a crazy jig, he grabbed her and danced her around the parking lot.
“I promise you, darlin’, I’m going try my best. Not going to be like my dad. I’m going to love you and our baby.”
“I love you.” She grabbed him and kissed him hard. “I never thought you’d be so happy.”
“Neither did I,” he said. “But, damn!”
His antics had drawn the attention of the others who poured out of the A-frame. Jesse said, “What the hell’s going on?”
“We’re pregnant,” Dylan yelled.
He whirled and dropped to one knee before her. “Nicole, my love, will you marry me? Again.”
“Yes. As many times as you want.”
The watchers near the A-frame let out a cheer. They were slapping each other on the back, laughing and grinning. Everyone was full of cheer.
This was going to be the best Christmas ever.
Epilogue
Eight months later, Nicole stood at the back of the lavishly decorated church in Denver. Originally, Carolyn had planned for a June wedding, but this extravaganza had required an extra two months of preparation. There were over four hundred guests, including the Mayor and the Governor.
Nicole’s maid-of-honor dress had been altered three times to accommodate her growing pregnancy. In the dark purple gown, she felt like a walking eggplant. Beside her, Fiona Grant—one of five bridesmaids—was slim and delicate in the same style.
Two months ago, Fiona and Jesse Longbridge had been married in a quiet ceremony on the ranch. Jesse had quit the security business and was working full-time as the foreman for Carlisle Certified Organic Beef. He and Dylan had bonded like brothers, and Nicole was delighted that Dylan was willing to hand off some of his responsibilities to Jesse.
Fiona whispered, “There must be a thousand purple gladioli in here. And a million miles of satin ribbon.”
“Subtle, huh?” Nicole rested her hand on her belly. The baby was kicking again. An active little rascal. “Dylan and I still can’t figure out what to give Carolyn and Burke for a wedding present. A gravy boat just doesn’t seem like enough.”
“Maybe a gravy yacht,” Fiona suggested.
“I know what your present will be. One of your custom-made pottery pieces. A Navajo wedding vase?”
“In purple,” Fiona said. “I’d like to make one for you and Dylan. I heard you’re going to renew your vows.”
“After the baby’s born.”
There wasn’t a rush. She’d never felt so very married and so very happy.
As the organist launched into “The Wedding March,” Jesse and Dylan—both looking dashing in tuxedos—stepped up to escort their ladies down the aisle.
Dylan leaned down to kiss her behind the ear. “Today, you’re not the bride,” he whispered.
“I know.”
“But you’re still the most beautiful woman in the room.”
Of course, she didn’t believe him. But when she looked into his eyes and saw their love reflected, she knew he was telling the truth. “If that’s the way you see it…”
“I do,” he said.
“I do, too.”
Halfway down the aisle, Nicole’s water broke.
Carolyn was going to be furious.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4494-2
SECLUDED WITH THE COWBOY
Copyright © 2009 by Kay Bergstrom
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