1st Time Love(85)

"You jinxed me." I send a glare his way as my son moves around, making himself comfy in my basketball-sized stomach.

Clyde's overreacting, which seems to also be an Owens brother trait. I'm not that close to going into labor, but they all act as if this baby's going to fall out of my coochie walking down the damn street.

"Just be happy Nate's not visiting; he'd have you on bed rest."

I roll my eyes. Nate's the most overprotective of them all, like a giant momma bear or something. "Ha. I'd like to see him try." Grumbling, my gaze lands back on number twelve, my number twelve.

"I didn't get to tell you last time when you called, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you, kid."

Shrugging, I wave him off. "It's cool, thank you, though."

"I mean it, Kadence. A lot of people get married and give up on their goals, others get pregnant, and then they go to the backs of their minds even more. You stuck it out; even through being sick every day for months, you kept up with your classes. It's a big deal, and you should be proud of that."

"It was online, so it wasn't so bad."

"Don't sell yourself short. You got that degree, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Then you're already a success in my book."

The side of my mouth hikes up. Clyde rarely doles out compliments, but when he does, I swear they're the type you feel in your heart. Typical Owens trying to make me cry from being sweet.

And it almost works as my eyes begin to water. "Thank you."

"Your dad tell you he's been stopping by the ranch on the regular?"

"No." Shaking my head, I meet his gaze. "He's been in Alabama?"

"Yep, a few times."

"Weird, he hasn't said anything." I wonder what that's all about. I know the club enjoys the moonshine, but for him to purposefully go on several rides out there? Has to be more. I need to call and check up on him.

"It's good for the ranch. I've brought on Dallas to help out more."

"I'm glad. That's too much land for you and Nate to worry about alone."

I've heard Tyler worry about his brothers constantly, being this far away from them. For the longest time, Clyde kept sending the checks back that Ty would send him to help out. Eventually, my husband got smart and started direct depositing them into Nate's account and having him use it for things they needed around the ranch.

"Well, pop out a few nephews, and they can come help out."

Swatting at him with my left hand he fake cringes like I've wounded him. "Jesus, watch out with that thing, you damn near maimed me! How can you even lift your hand, that rock's so big?"

That makes me laugh. I gave in to Tyler a year ago and married him, four months later, and the brat knocks me up. Now I'm six months into this pregnancy and wondering if I'll ever have another. This kid has made me sick, feel like I'm starving to death, overly emotional, and run out of clothes. Ty's been absolutely thrilled to see me shovel down food all the time and live in his clothes; I think it's a secret fetish of his.

"If your brother has his way, then there'll be about five more on the way." I shake my head, smiling as I think of Ty whispering to my belly the night before about how he plans to be the best daddy ever. He already is, and he doesn't even know it. I'm so lucky to have him in my life every day.

"Sister, haven't you learned yet? Ty always gets his way. He's an Owens; it's what we do." He winks, and I'll be damned if I argue.