The Texan’s Bride(54)
She wondered what her and Cadde’s child would be like. Would he or she be a little terror like Caitlyn’s twins? Or angels like Maddie’s kids? Or sweet and adorable like Skylar’s daughter Kira? Or spunky like Darcy?
At that moment she caught Cadde’s eyes across the room. He smiled, walked over and kissed her cheek. She yearned to hear “I love you” but what he said was, “Having a good time?”
She couldn’t believe how much the lack of three little words could hurt. It wasn’t important, she told herself.
But she couldn’t explain it to her heart.
CHAPTER TWELVE
CADDE HATED SHOPPING. He bought his shirts, jeans and boots from the same store. It was easier that way. These days he found himself shopping more than usual, mostly in a jewelry store. He was buying Jessie an engagement ring for Christmas and it had to be the right one. After looking until his head was spinning, he settled on a platinum round cut diamond to match her wedding band.
While he was looking, he couldn’t help but notice all the Christmas decorations and an idea came to him. This Christmas would be special.
He walked through the back door with a smile on his face. “Rosa, where’s Jessie?”
Rosa closed the oven and wiped her hands on her apron. “In the living room. We’re having pot roast for supper.”
“Smells good.”
Rosa stared at the silver wrapped gift in his hand. “It’s a little early for Christmas.”
“It’s never too early.”
Rosa’s eyes narrowed. “You two aren’t going to miss supper again, are you?”
They’d gotten caught up in the moment a lot of evenings and missed suppertime. Then they’d sneak downstairs to eat what they could find—just the two of them. He found he liked it that way.
“If we’re…busy, you and Felix go ahead and eat. We’ll eat later.”
“Whatever makes you and Miss Jessie happy. I’m just so excited about the baby.” She reached for something on the counter. “Look what I made today.”
Cadde gazed at the tiny yellow booties. “That’s very small.”
“Baby’s feet are tiny like a doll’s.”
He didn’t know. He’d never been around babies, especially newborns. Not for the first time he realized how fast his life was changing and soon he would be trying to put his son’s or daughter’s feet into those booties. The thought was a little frightening and the magnitude of what he and Jessie had created hit him—a life—a tiny helpless baby who would depend on them totally.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “That’s a little scary.”
“Pooh.” Rosa waved his nervousness aside. “After a couple of days, you’ll handle that baby like a pro.”
Cadde nodded and walked through the dining room to the living room. Jessie was standing in front of the big windows, her arms outstretched. Stepping off several spaces, Mirry under her feet, she turned and stretched out her arms again. Her stomach pushed against her knit top. Her clothes were getting tight but he thought she never looked more beautiful. She was absolutely glowing.
“What are you doing?”
“Cadde. You’re home early.” She rushed to him and he looped one arm around her, the other he held behind his back. He kissed her slow, taking his time.
She ran her fingers through his hair. “Now that’s a welcome home kiss.”
“What are you doing?”
“Oh.” She glanced toward the window. “I’m trying to figure out how big of a tree we can get in here. We have an artificial one in the attic that Rosa and I put up every year. After Daddy died, I didn’t even bother, but this holiday I want a huge live one, maybe seven, eight or nine feet tall.” She poked him in the chest. “And you and I are going to pick it out tomorrow so we can get it up early. What do you think?”
“Sounds good to me.” He held out the gift. “I bought something we can put on it.”
Her eyes opened wide and she sat on the sofa, ripping off the paper with a you-shouldn’t-have look. He sat beside her. When she saw the silver baby ornament her mouth formed a big O.
“Read what it says on it.” He could hardly contain his own excitement.
“Baby’s First Christmas in Mommy’s Tummy. Love, Mommy and Daddy.” A tear slipped from her eye.
“Jessie.”
“I’m not going to cry.” She swiped at her cheek. “This is so beautiful and…wait a minute. Did Barbara buy this or did you?”
“I did and I had the jeweler engrave those words on it.”
“Oh, oh.” More tears followed.