“Thank you,” Candice and Logan said in unison. The medical staff introduced themselves in turn, welcoming them as they got into place. The beeps in the monitor spiked.
“Here’s another strong one,” one nurse said. “You’re not feeling any pain, are you?”
Celeste shook her head, turned their way and smiled. “Thank goodness for epidurals,” she said with a small giggle.
Candice nodded. “Totally.” And thank goodness for you, she wanted to say. “We really appreciate you letting us come in here for his birth. It means the world to us.”
“Well, he’s your baby,” Celeste said. “I’m just glad you made it in time. I think he’s anxious to meet you.” She’d said it with a smile, but a hint of emotion clung to her tone.
The conversation flowed from there. Questions from Celeste and Maria about Montana. The ranch. It came up that Logan had lost a twin; Candice, her father. They discovered that Maria was a stay-at-home mother who taught piano lessons on the side. Celeste, who still lived at home, was the oldest of four siblings. She was just about to finish her first semester in college and worked part-time as a waitress. The love between Celeste and her mother was strong, a breathable, tangible force. And in some unexplainable way, Candice could feel the love they had for the baby too. A love that was growing in her own heart as well. There was an extra spirit among them, and Candice already loved him with every shred of her being. A force that swelled deep within her chest.
“I’m glad to meet the couple that will be raising this sweet angel,” Maria said in a quiet moment. “You seem like very loving people, and I know he will be happy with you.”
Candice met her gaze, touched to see tears in the woman’s kind eyes. This was a letting go for them, she realized, tears welling in her eyes as well. She managed a slight nod as she sniffed. “Thank you. He will be. We’ll make sure of it.”
Things moved quickly from there. The doctor checked her progress once more while Logan turned to look out the window, giving Celeste as much privacy as he could in the circumstance. The doctor announced that it was time, and she’d need to push when the next contractions came on. A buzz of energy surged throughout the room. Excitement and joy. Mingled with hints of concern for Celeste and the baby. But all was going smooth.
At the first peek of the baby’s head, tears streamed down Candice’s cheeks. Come on, Alex. Mommy and Daddy are here, and we love you so much.
Words of encouragement filled the room.
“You’re almost there, Celeste.”
“Hang in there. You’re doing great.”
“Here he comes…”
The miracle unfolded before her – unlike anything she’d experienced. Tiny shoulders and scrawny arms. Delicate fingers and toes. Her heart swelled, bigger and larger than she thought possible. It felt as if it could fill the whole room. Maybe the entire hospital. Logan cut the cord while they suctioned his mouth. Maria snapped a few pictures and looked at Candice.
“For you guys,” she said.
And then came the cries. High, fast-paced squeals.
“Good lungs,” the doctor murmured as he worked on Celeste.
The nurse wiped him down and wrapped him in a thin blanket. She looked between Logan, Candice, and Celeste. “Who’s first?”
Celeste silently pointed to Candice, but her eyes were set on the delicate bundle.
“Are you sure?” Candice asked.
“Well maybe I could just say goodbye first,” Celeste said, looking to her mom.
Maria rested a hand on her shoulder. “That’s just fine.”
The nurse handed him over and Celeste brought him close to her chest. She moved her lips to his tiny ear and murmured, “I love you. You’re going to love your mom and dad. And they’re going to love you too.” She kissed his head.
Maria reached down to stroke his small cheek, her eyes fixed like she was memorizing every detail. “Okay,” she encouraged. “Let’s give him to his mom and dad.”
Celeste nodded. And though her chin quivered, and her eyes watered, she managed a sweet smile as she gently handed him to Candice. A warm, nearly weightless bundle.
Candice had never felt so much love – not in her lifetime. Logan rested a hand at her lower back, hunching over the baby as well.
“Well, hello there, little man,” he mumbled. “We’ve been waiting a long time for you.”
“Daddy’s right,” Candice cooed. “A very, very long time.”
“Do you two have a name picked out?” Maria asked.
Candice looked at Logan. “I thought we’d call him Alex, after Logan’s twin brother.”
Logan smeared a hand over his eyes and nodded. “I’d like that. And Byron for the middle name, after your father?”
“Alex Byron,” she said, musing there wasn’t a better name out there. “It’s perfect.”
EPILOGUE
Logan watched from his comfortable spot in the recliner, waiting for Candice to make her announcement. Marge had put her lungs to good use, managing to gain the attention of nearly everyone at the large gathering, including the small children in the bunch. Of course they stood hunched over some sort of device one of the kids held, but it was as good as it’d get.
“Candice and Logan have an announcement,” Marge said, waving a hand at Logan. “Come on up here. You’re part of this too.”
“Oh, I’ll take Alex,” Jillian offered, an excited grin on her face.
“Okay.” Logan gently placed the sleeping baby in Jillian’s arms.
“Can’t believe he’s five months already,” she said. “That went by fast.”
Logan looked at her there, remembering the time he’d held her in his arms – baby Jilly. “Yes,” he agreed. “It did.”
He sauntered to the head of the room, catching Candice’s gaze. A smile lit up her face, the very picture of joy.
“I know this is kind of unorthodox,” she said.
“Well what about this night isn’t?” Marge interrupted. “We have a baby shower for a baby who was born over five months ago. One where we’ve invited men and children and everyone else.”
Candice grinned, her face turning pink. “Well…” she started. Logan shifted his gaze to look around the place. He wanted to see Allie’s reaction to this news the most. Once his eyes set on hers, he saw hints of moisture there already. It was like she knew what his wife was about to say.
“They say the Lord works in mysterious ways,” Candice started, “and we have found that to be true. Turns out that – after years and years of trying to have a baby of our own, and after finally achieving our dream to adopt – we found out that…”
Logan shot a glance at Candice in the quiet moment. She gave his arm a nudge. “Go ahead,” she encouraged.
“Candice is pregnant!”
A burst of excitement filled the air. Cheers and celebrations from the nieces and nephews. Shelly jumped to her feet and bolted her way, wrapping her arms around Candice in a death grip. Ross led the cousins in some sort of choo choo cheer, chugging around the room in a trail. Tears moistened the eyes of every woman in the place.
“You’re going to be a big brother?” Jillian asked baby Alex with a smile.
“Oh yeah,” Candice added. “And we just found out it’s a girl.”
More gasps filled the area. “You’re that far along and you didn’t tell us?” Bree scolded.
“And how is it you’re hardly showing?” Shelly snapped. “I looked like a house by the time I found out the sex.”
Logan listened in as Candice explained why they’d waited to tell them, the two having agreed to wait until they made it past her first trimester. And here she was, part way through the second one and doing fine. He’d heard it said that pregnant women have a glow about them. He’d never known how true that was until then. He glanced over, setting his eyes on her, the colorful autumn leaves beyond the window paling in comparison. Beautiful.
Without warning Aunt Ruth rushed in for a perfume invaded hug. “I’m so happy for th
e two of you,” she said, adjusting the clanking bracelets on her frail-looking arms.
“Thanks,” Logan said. “I uh…” he took his voice down and tilted his head. “You know that glass container with all the suggestions in it? I gave it back to Uncle Glen just after you two arrived. Helped him take it to your car.” What he’d said felt incomplete somehow, so he added to it. “And thanks for sending it home with us.”
Ruth tipped her head back, sporting some Mona Lisa-looking grin. “I can’t tell you how many couples we’ve sent home with that thing.”
Logan’s brows shot up. “Really?”
“Oh, yes. I can always sense when a couple’s in strife. And when I do, I have Glen pass it along. We call it therapy in a bowl.”
Logan considered that. “Well it sure helped us out.”
The lines around her eyes crinkled as she patted him on the arm, bracelets clinking once again. “It always does.”
“Hey, Mom,” Paige hollered from somewhere in the crowded room. “Aren’t you going to tell everybody your news?”
All eyes flew to Allie, who had Candice locked in a tight embrace. “Huh?” she asked, looking unsettled.
“Now’s the perfect time to share your news,” Paige said.
“Yeah,” Jillian urged. “It’s perfect.”
Allie looked at her husband, Braden, before setting her gaze back on Candice. “It can wait. I don’t want to take anything from this moment.”
Candice shook her head. “You won’t. Please, share your news.”
Logan couldn’t imagine what his sister planned to share. Until she motioned for Braden to join her up front. Logan gasped as realization struck. Could it be?
Candice was all smiles and wide eyes. He wondered if she had guessed too.
“Well, if Candice’s announcement was unorthodox, ours is somewhere beyond because this isn’t even our shower.”
“Yeah, but we are your family,” their mother, Lilly, assured.
“First,” Allie said, looking to Candice. “What’s the due date for your baby?”
“April third,” Candice said.
Allie nodded. “Sounds like it’ll be a race for the delivery room, because my due date is April seventh.”
An explosion of excitement filled the room once more. Lilly, Marge, and Aunt Betty were in fits of giggles and tears. Reese, and Jade were rushing toward Allie, nearly tripping over the galloping kids in the center of the room. They’d have to get in line. Already Candice and Bree had their arms wrapped so tightly around Allie he wondered if she could breathe.
Logan sauntered over to Braden and rested an arm on his back. “Congratulations,” he said.
Braden responded with a firm handshake and a smack to Logan’s back in return. “And the same to you, brother.”
~+~
“That was quite the surprise tonight, wasn’t it?” Candice rubbed a dab of lotion into her hands, basking in the excitement of Allie and Braden’s announcement.
“I’ll say,” Logan agreed, shuffling toward the hall, Alex cradled against him. “Can’t believe you and Allie will be going through pregnancy together. That’s incredible.”
At the mere thought, Candice took a moment to thank the heavens above. Just when she’d accepted whatever fate had in store – motherhood or not – she was given everything she’d ever dreamed of.
She couldn’t help but think back on the call she’d received just days after they brought Alex home. Lana had been in a fit of tears as she explained herself. She had always secretly wanted a man like Logan. Had struggled with jealousy since meeting them years ago. But most importantly, Lana revealed that she hadn’t sent the slanderous letter to the agency. She had written it, yes, and that in itself was bad enough, Lana admitted. But she never did send it. Instead, Lana had delivered a gleaming referral, stating that Logan and Candice would be excellent parents. Of course, had Brad known that he’d have never bothered them. But that was all in the past. Now, Candice had her future to focus on.
A nervous jitter pulled at her insides as she followed Logan into the baby’s room. She glanced at the monitor, reminding herself that it worked perfectly. The slightest sound or rustle, and she’d hear it. “This feels so soon.”
“Yeah, but the doc says it’s time.” He leaned closer to Alex’s face, softening his voice as he spoke to him. “If you hadn’t started rolling you might have had another month in your bassinet.” Logan lowered him gently into the crib. “That’s okay. You’re going to like it in here, aren’t you, Alex?”
“I hope he does. He’s growing so fast already.”
Logan put his arm around Candice as they studied their sleeping boy. Warm, flushed skin. A thin trail of lashes along his closed lids, and a sweet little pair of slightly pursed lips. “Did he spit up much after you fed him?” she asked.
“Only a little. I got a burp out of him too.” His shoulders rose with triumph.
Candice smiled. “Very good.” She had to admit, this whole father thing looked good on him. Watching those giant hands cradle their tiny baby. Listening to his deep voice as he cooed words of affection to his son. She could barely believe how her love continued to grow impossibly stronger with each passing day.
“Eleven o’clock,” Logan announced, glancing up at the framed pocket watch on the shelf. “Alex is asleep and it’s only Eleven o’clock.”
Candice grinned. “I’m actually surprised we got out of your parent’s by ten. That’s a miracle in itself.”
Logan slipped his hand down Candice’s arm and took hold of her wrist, a mischievous grin working over his lips. “Maybe everyone knew just how badly I wanted you all to myself.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” he assured, leading her back into their room.
Candice turned to him, lifted one corner of her mouth. “Well you’ve finally got me. So now what?”
She liked the way his dark brows seemed to lift at the challenge. “Now what?” he repeated. “Now you climb onto the bed.”
Candice strode over to the bed and lowered herself onto the soft, bouncy edge. “Okay. What now?”
Amusement flashed in his eyes. “Lie back.”
She did as he said, lying back onto the smooth duvet, a euphoric buzz settling over her skin. Without further prompting, Candice tugged at the hem of her nightshirt, shortening it a few inches along her thigh. “Like this?”
A low growl rumbled in his throat. “Yes.”
Candice felt her heart thump out of beat. Desire. Anticipation. Love. “What now?”
“Now I have my way with you.” He flicked off the light and strode toward her. Moonlight from the open window spilled over his skin as he tore off his shirt. When he made for his belt buckle, Candice spoke up.
“Uh, uh. Leave that part for me.” She propped herself onto her elbows, warming as he climbed onto the bed with her. His strong hands slipped gently around her neck, his large palms making her feel small and delicate in comparison.
He pressed a heated kiss to her throat, and Candice let out a shallow sigh of pleasure. A silky ribbon kept the top of her blouse closed. Logan fiddled with it in a slow, playful tease, his captivating gaze set on her through the moonlit glow.
At last Candice pressed her fevered lips to his, desperate for the taste of his kiss. The touch of his skin. The completion of his love.
Logan deepened the kiss, coaxing her into further states of bliss. A popular quote played out somewhere in the back of her mind. A favorite of hers, by Alice Morse Earle. “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.” For the first time in years, Candice realized she was no longer struggling over the past, worrying about the future, or wishing away the now. She had learned to simply be in the moment. And as Candice gave in to another heated sigh at her lips, she realized just what a gift it was.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read Mending Hearts. As a reader myself, I dive into novels seeking an enjoyable getaway f
rom the daily grind – I hope this story provided that for you! If you enjoyed the book, I could really use (and would sincerely appreciate) your rating and or review on Amazon or Goodreads.
If you’d like to contact me or sign up to hear about my latest releases, please visit my webpage @ http://www.kimberlykrey.com/#!get-on-mailing-list
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Also find links to my other novels here: http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Krey/e/B009A0350I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Next in the Second Chances series: Fresh Starts. Bree has had her fair share of difficulties. The loss of her parents, a not-so-recent divorce, and the disruption of her life caused by a dangerous stalker who’s serving jail time. When the determined criminal finishes his sentence, Bree is sent into hiding. And while she’s doing all she can to steer clear of this frightening piece of her past, an old acquaintance enters the scene, determined to be part of her future. (See Amazon.com for availability.)
Also by Kimberly Krey:
The Sweet Montana Bride Series
by KIMBERLY KREY
(Complete collection on Amazon now)
Reese’s Cowboy Kiss
Blake’s Story
Jade’s Cowboy Crush
Gavin’s Story
Cassie’s Cowboy Crave
Shane’s Story
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, first thanks goes to my man and kids. Your patience, love, & encouragement mean the world to me.
I love, love, love you all to pieces!
Mending Hearts: Logan's Story Page 24
