Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Husband. The word has me smiling. Actually, I do that a lot these days. There are still some hard things to deal with. I have nightmares now and I see a therapist once a week to discuss my past. But slowly, it’s getting better.
When I first came to Ryker for protection, it felt like I was traveling through a dark tunnel with no light in sight. But since getting together with him, there’s definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. I have hope that one day I’ll come through on the other side of all this trauma.
Even if I don’t, I have peace and happiness from having a support system around me. I’ve grown close to Sierra and Charlie. Like me, they’ve gone through some hard things, so they understand the bad days and always show up to cheer me up with chocolate and wine. But after what I learned today, there won’t be any wine in my future for about nine months. Just the thought makes me want to squeal with delight. I’m pregnant. I’m carrying Ryker’s child and I couldn’t be happier about that.
I’ve been on birth control since before we met. But about six weeks ago, I forgot to refill my prescription, so I missed a couple of days and restarted it. The problem is that I should have been using a backup method for a week, and I didn’t know that.
The front door swings open and my husband is stomping into the kitchen. He scowls at me. How is it that we’ve been married for months, and I still find that scowl so damn sexy? I think I always will. “What are you doing? All of our friends are waiting for you. I’m waiting for you.”
I love the way his voice drops when he says he’s waiting for me. He waited for me at the altar a week after I was kidnapped. Sierra and Charlie, my bridesmaids, helped me throw together a wedding in just a few days.
We got married right here on the ranch, underneath the shadow of an oak tree. Colt walked me down the aisle and gave me away. Brody officiated the ceremony and now we live happily ever after right here in our big glass house.
“You’re bleeding,” I cluck when I see his arm. There’s a small wood chip embedded in his skin, and I hiss at the sight. I hate seeing him hurt. Sometimes, I think after everything he endured, that he no longer registers pain in his body. But he does register pleasure if this morning was anything to go by. Just the thought of the things he did to me before our friends arrived has my thighs quivering again.
“It’s not that bad,” he reassures me.
I check the timer for my chocolate cake before I tug him into the bathroom.
“Take off your shirt,” I instruct him as I dig in the medicine cabinet for the supplies to clean him up.
“That’s what I like to hear from my wife.” He yanks his shirt over his head, and I resist the urge to turn and stare when I hear the fabric rustling. His body is a work of art that never fails to turn me on.
“You need to wear safety gear when you’re working.” I don’t normally lecture him but he’s going to be a father soon. He can’t be taking silly risks anymore.
With the supplies in hand, I finally turn. My body heats ten degrees at the sight of my man sitting for me on the side of the tub. “You worry too much, angel. I know you’re always watching over me.”
I frown at him and get to work on the injury. I’ve just managed to get the gauze to cover the wound when he says in his low, sexy voice, “Tell me why you’re baking chocolate cake.”
I let it slip one day that I only bake my favorite chocolate cake when I’m happy. He knows every time he sees it that there’s something I want to celebrate. Still, I haven’t rehearsed this. I don’t know what I’m going to say. I’ve been so caught up in how happy I am. But Ryker is older than me. By a lot. It’s never bothered me but what if he doesn’t want more kids? What if he hates the idea of starting a family together?
Before I can tell him, he takes my face in his hand and tilts my chin up. “Does it have anything to do with that pregnancy test in the trash can?”
“We made a baby,” I whisper the words as a tear rolls down my cheek. I can’t think of anything more perfect than having a child with the man I love. Knowing that there will be a kid in the world who is half of me and half of Ryker fills me with joy. “Do you know how it happened?”