Fall: Montgomery Men #3

by Harms, C. A.

  Beckett didn’t seem to care that he was in for further chaos.

  “Tell Mom that this is what boys do.” I hear laughter filter throughout the space when Beckett begins to tickle Burke once more. “Tell her that I’m making you tuff, because Montgomery men and just that, men.”

  “Men,” Burke wails with laughter though it sounds more like “meh,” but I know what he is attempting to say.

  “Tell Momma that later after you’re tuckered out and snoring, I’ll tickle her too.” I shake my head and ignore the eager look on Beckett’s face. “Your mom will be panting too, boy, but for completely different reasons.”

  “You are terrible.” I spin around and drop the newly cleaned and cut vegetables into the pan. “And just so we’re clear, you won’t be tickling anything but yourself if you keep winding him up like that. He’ll be hard to settle down if you keep this up.”

  Beckett pouts before tossing Burke up and over his shoulder. “Okay Mommy, we’ll calm down.” They moved past me toward the hall. “I’ll go give him a bath to calm him because babe, I need some tickle time.”

  I hold back my laughter as I listen to Beckett tell his son how important it is for him to go to bed on time. He proceeded to explain how mommies and daddies needed their tickle time or they would be very cranky in the morning. Through it all the only thing I can imagine is when it comes to the time for Beckett to offer Burke the talk. If I think I am in trouble now, it has nothing on that time. Maybe I could get Lexington to give Burke the talk.

  That idea gives me a completely new category of things to laugh about. Imagining Beckett’s face when I throw that idea at him would be worth it just to witness his frustration.

  Oh, the possibilities.

  Knoxville and Tinley

  We’ve only been back from our honeymoon for less than a month when I stand at our bathroom vanity, staring down at the test that lays near the sink. I am both hopeful and terrified of the possibility that a plus sign will appear. It is unplanned but in truth we knew the chances. Forgetting your birth control pills and being in a different country wasn’t an easy fix. We could have taken precautions but we didn’t. Instead we lived in the moment. Drinking by the pool during the day, making love to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach at night…it was all so heavenly.

  The sound of Knoxville’s voice echoing through the apartment should have gained my full attention, but I can’t seem to look away. I want to be looking the very second the test shows its results.

  “Babe?”

  This time he is closer, and if I’m not mistaken there may have been concern in his voice.

  “Are you okay? Did something happen?” Knox places his hand against the small of my back and leans in to look me over. “Babe, talk to me.”

  I lean in closer to the counter, ignoring him. A faint line began to appear and maybe—

  “What—” Knoxville starts to speak then suddenly he stops. I can see him out of the corner of my eyes leaning in too in order to get a closer look.

  We both remain in silence staring at the stick that may forever change our lives. Then it happened. Knox let out a hoot and I am lifted into the air before being spun around in a circle.

  Then as quickly as I was lifted I am lowered once more. “Shit, babe.” Knox ran his hands over my arms and onto my sides before pausing on my hips. “Did I hurt you?”

  I shouldn’t laugh, but I can’t seem to stop the reaction. “I’m not fragile, you big ape, I’m pregnant.”

  Knoxville grips my face and pulls me in close. Just before our lips touch he pauses. “Again, I’ve fallen in love with you just a little more.”

  He says that very thing to me every night before we’ve fallen asleep. It is an “I love you more than yesterday and I’ll love you even more tomorrow” type of game. A game I look forward to every day. A game Knoxville insists on playing that reminds me that I am in fact one of the luckiest women alive. Because I get to share my life with him.

  THE END

  About the Author

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  THE CHARMED GIRLS, YOU ARE all amazing. The continued support you show me is something I will never be able to express just how much it means to me. Thank you all for sharing my work and for just being you. You are all the greatest bunch of ladies.

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  Beta Team, you know who you are. Thank you all so very much for taking this journey with me. Your feedback and encouraging words along the way made this story mean so much. Without you all, it would be what it is now.

  To my husband and children, thank you for being the best part of my days. For tolerating me when I get lost in the world of fiction and understanding that sometimes dinner may be a little late. Jayden and Tayler, no matter how many books I write, you two will always be my best creations.

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  Also by C. A. Harms

  Rush (Montgomery Men #1)

  Heat (Montgomery Men #2)

  Don’t Be Afraid