“It was worth the wait,” she said, brushing her lips against his.
The rest of the day went by in a blur. They had a lovely early dinner. Dylan turned on her stereo and they danced in the great room by the fire where they’d made love again for the first time. Everyone had a great time. They cut the cake and fed each other the first piece. Then, she’d led everyone in singing “Happy Birthday” to Dylan. Today was a double delight for them.
When the evening came to an end, Greg held his glass aloft along with everyone else. “Today, my best friend married the love of her life. Dylan got the wife he always wanted, and Will the mother he chose. Though circumstances tore them apart, love brought them together. Second chances are rare. Take care of each other. Love each other. I wish you love and happiness for the rest of your lives,” he toasted them and everyone cheered, “Here, here!”
Greg kissed her goodbye that night on the forehead. “Be happy.”
“I already am.” She meant it for the first time in a long time.
WHAT A PERFECT day.
Everyone left an hour ago and the house was quiet. She left Dylan to read a story to Will and put him to bed after she kissed her son goodnight. In their room, she hung up her dress and put away her shoes. She slipped into a satin robe and went out on the roof to gaze at the stars.
She stared down at the road, the trees, the hills, and back up to the sparkling sky. Happy, she put her hand over her belly and thought of Hope and everything that led her to today. Grateful for it all, everything that came before had finally brought her Dylan and Will.
“Today was a big day,” she said, and Dylan came through the window. “Your birthday, our wedding day, and I became Will’s mother.”
“You’ve been his mother from the start. You two took to each other immediately.”
“That’s because a car almost crushed him.”
“Don’t remind me.” He sat beside her on the roof. He’d long ago discarded his suit jacket and tie. Will had practically undressed during dinner, trying to get out of his uncomfortable suit. Still, he thought they all looked nice when they’d taken pictures during the wedding. He didn’t care about his banged-up face and arm from his accident. Nothing mattered except Jessie becoming his wife. He thought that all in all, a wedding put together in a matter of hours had turned out all right. Of course, he’d done a lot of preplanning.
She leaned into his shoulder. “Today was perfect.”
“It’s not over.” He kissed her temple and squeezed her to his side. “Come to bed. Let’s make a baby.”
Leaning her head back against his arm, she smiled up at him. “Too late. We already did.”
He gazed down into her beautiful face. The truth of it so clear to see in the joy filling her smile and eyes. Still, he couldn’t quite believe it. “Tell me again.”
“I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby. I found out on Friday before I picked up Will. I wanted to tell you on your birthday, but it’s been kind of hectic today.” She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. He groaned when her arms crushed him to her and her breasts pressed against his chest.
“We’re going to have a baby,” she said again.
He smiled, unable to help himself. “I didn’t think I could be any happier today. A baby. I’m going to be a father. Again,” he said, smiling. “Are you okay?”
“I’m good. Nervous, but excited.”
“Me too, but we’ll get through this together. Come to bed. Let’s celebrate.” He kissed her again before he helped her through the window, back into the room and straight into his arms.
He held her tightly against him, walking her backward to the bed. Kissing her deeply, he sank into her sweet mouth. A shiver ran through her, and the joy in her eyes matched his own.
“We have a lot to celebrate.” She smiled up at him, her back hitting the mattress as he lay down the length of her, his heart pressed to hers.
And celebrate they did through the night, and every day they were together, but especially on the day they welcomed their daughter, Faith, into the world.
If you loved the McBrides, head on up to Big Sky country with Jennifer Ryan to meet her
MONTANA MEN . . .
Keep reading for a sneak peek at
AT WOLF RANCH
A Montana Men Novel
Coming Winter 2015
An Excerpt from
AT WOLF RANCH
After years on the rodeo circuit, Gabe Bowden wants nothing more than land of his own and a woman who will claim his heart for more than one night. When he has the chance to buy the enormous Wolf Ranch spread, he snaps up the incredible deal. Everything is set, until Gabe rescues a woman on the deserted, snowy road leading to the property, and the half-frozen beauty changes everything.