Noah’s Journey(43)

“Stop hogging Ma, you jackass.” Jackson barged in, cutting off Noah and Tammy’s dance. She laughed and buried her head in Jackson’s chest as they began to bicker over her attention once more.

“You three have women, give this old bat a break,” she squealed as she wiggled her way free and scurried off toward the kitchen.

I instantly felt blessed for being able to be a part of the love they shared. I had never known a love like that, at least not until I met the Sawyer family. Noah caught my gaze from across the room and winked, which set off those familiar chills any small gesture from him caused me. I truly had learned to love the reaction my body had to everything Noah.

As he moved across the living room in my direction, I couldn’t help but smile. And when he sat down at my side, he shifted me onto his lap to allow more room for his large frame to fit in the small space.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he said with a smirk. Noah knew he was all I could see, and he loved it. He was arrogant and sweet—the best of both worlds—and knew the perfect time to show each side.

“You gonna give me a kiss, or you plan on staring at my lips instead?” he asked before licking his lower lip.

I blushed, knowing I had just been openly drooling over the thought of his lips on mine.

“Don’t get all embarrassed on me, darlin’, just give me a little sweetness instead,” he said with a grin as he gripped the back of my neck and pulled me toward him. A soft moan escaped me as his tongued trailed along the seam of my lips, and for a moment, I forgot we were sitting in his mom’s living room with a large audience.

“Well, Bailey and I have some news to share when those two over there stop sucking face.” Jackson’s booming voice startled me, and I pulled back from Noah quickly, embarrassed at finding all eyes were on us. Of course, Noah just chuckled.

“As if we don’t find you and Bailey in more compromising positions than just a simple lip lock,” Noah said as he slid his hand beneath the hem of my shirt and lightly brushed his fingers over my lower back.

It was now Bailey’s turn to blush as her eyes grew wide, and she looked over at Tammy, who was also laughing at Noah’s comment.

“Go on, boy, tell us the news.” Tammy was grinning widely, and something told me she was already expecting what was about to come.

The second Jackson stepped up behind Bailey and reached around to place his hands on her stomach, the entire room fell silent. It was one of those beautiful moments that give you the chills. You could instantly see the love in Jackson’s eyes when Bailey looked back at him over her shoulder.

He placed a soft kiss against her forehead before looking back at the rest of us. All traces of his earlier silly behavior had vanished and now had been replaced with deep affection, something he rarely showed to anyone other than Bailey. “Not only has this beautiful lady agreed to marry me, but she’s also making me a father,” Jackson said, choking up.

Congratulations were exchanged, along with hugs and, yes, even tears. Though Amber and I already knew, we still shared in those tears. Her secret was now officially out, and we no longer had to hide our excitement.

Tammy stood back, watching the happiness around her with tears in her eyes. I watched out of the corner of my eye as her gaze wandered to the picture of her late husband hanging on the wall, and she smiled at it as if she was sharing a silent secret with him. As if I wasn’t already raw with emotion, that touching moment only caused my chest to ache more.

She scanned over everyone until her eyes settled on Jackson. I couldn’t help but smile as he arched an eyebrow at her and she mirrored his reaction, then grinned and tilted her head as if to challenge him.

“What?” he said, and it rang out over all the commotion in the room. Slowly, everyone grew quiet one by one as they became aware of the stare-down between Jackson and Tammy. A nervous chuckle fell from Jackson, and I found it humorous how a big, strong man like him, or any of the Sawyer boys, for the matter, could grow intimidated by their hundred-pound mother.

“Well,” Tammy said as she took a step toward Jackson and Bailey. Everyone stepped back, allowing her full access to them. “It’s about time you two allow us all to hear something we already knew.”

Jackson looked down at Bailey, and she shrugged before looking back up at his mother.

“The two of you are terrible at keeping secrets,” Tammy said as she stopped in front of them.

Almost simultaneously, Jackson and Bailey looked at one another and said, “Did you say something?”

Everyone around them laughed, including Tammy.

“Neither of you had to say anything. But a word of advice,” she continued, pointing toward her son. “If you are trying to keep being pregnant with my grandchild a temporary secret, try hiding the sonogram picture someplace other than the checkbook in your office. You do understand I write checks for the ranch too.”