Rough, Raw and Ready(33)
That sweet sound made her smile. Chassie definitely wanted children someday and she knew Trevor did too. Did Edgard? Or did he have that sneering “breeder” mindset so many same-sex couples had?
Thump thump thump. A little ball of energy barreled around the corner and ran straight at Chassie. Gib hit the soft couch cushion belly first, grabbed hold of the fabric in his fists and hoisted himself up. The boy didn’t sit; he bounced. One, two, three times and the last bounce he landed on his diapered butt.
Chassie gasped and he giggled.
“Gib. No bouncing. I mean it.”
He blinked innocently at his mother. “Daddy?”
Channing sighed. “Daddy’s gone, so you’re out of luck with his ‘boys will be boys’
parenting philosophy.”
“This darlin’ face is impossible to resist, Channing.”
“Tell me about it.” Channing straightened Gib’s shirt. “Can you say hi to Chassie?”
Gib stared. No doubt the kid was all McKay. No doubt he’d be hell on wheels, a serious heartbreaker with those deep dimples, mass of unruly black curls and enormous 88
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blue eyes. When Gib said, “Hi,” and crawled in her lap, Chassie melted…for the thirty seconds the kid actually sat still. He heaved himself to the floor and was off again.
“How old is he now?”
“Fifteen months. And yes, he’s always like this. Busy from sunup to sundown.”
Chassie glanced at Channing’s belly.
“I’m five months along. When Gib was nine months old, I thought how much harder can one more kid be?” She smiled ruefully. “Then he started walking and getting into everything under the sun. I’m afraid he’ll learn how to climb out of his crib next because it’s the only place I can keep him corralled.”
Gib ripped around the corner of the couch and stopped in front of Channing. He patted her stomach with both hands. “Baby.”
“Yes, honey, that’s the baby.”
“Mine baby.”
Her smile softened and she lovingly brushed the curls from his face. “Yep, he’s your baby.”
“You already know the sex of that one?”
“Even if the ultrasound hadn’t confirmed it, I’d be pretty safe in planning for another boy. Kade’s the only one who’s produced a girl so far.”
“Mama, Mama!”
“What, sweetie?”
Gib looked over at Chassie, challenging, “Mine mama,” and threw himself at his mother.
Channing laughed with delight and hugged him close, kissing his rosy cheeks until that sweet, innocent, boyish giggle burst free again.
“He’s a little territorial, isn’t he?”
“Comes by it naturally. He gets it from his father.” She stood and planted Gib on her hip. “Let’s have a snack, hmm?”
For the remainder of the afternoon and early evening, Chassie was glad for the distraction of the rambunctious boy.
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Chassie could tell Channing was tired and she felt guilty the pregnant mother elected to stay up with her after Gib finally conked out.
“Colby should be home any minute.”
“Then you should go to bed. I’ll be fine waiting up alone. Really.”
“I know you will. But I’d like to see my husband while I’m still conscious.”
Channing closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “Did you call Trevor?”
“No.”
“Does he know where you are?”
“He thinks I’m in Wheatland at a bridal shower.” Chassie braced herself for Channing to gently suggest she call him, but Channing didn’t say a word.
Chassie stared at the fire, trying not to think about how much her life had changed in one short day.
Tick. Tick. Tick. The minute hand on the clock clicked and the bell dinged. Yippee.
She’d managed to kill thirty minutes.
She was sure Channing had fallen asleep, so she was surprised when Channing murmured, “You really should watch them together. When they’re naked in body and soul. It’s as heartbreaking as it is beautiful. Then you’ll understand. Then you’ll do the right thing.”
Watch who? Understand what?
The front door opened. Boots hit the tile and Colby strolled into the living room.
Channing’s eyes blinked open. She appeared sleep-dazed for a second until she saw Colby. Then she smiled widely and pushed to her feet.
“Hey, shug, no need to get up. But since you are…” Colby leaned down and kissed her. Thoroughly. “Mmm. Missed you today, darlin’. How you feelin’?” He placed his big hands on her belly.
“Tired. This baby’s been twisting like he’s on a bull.”