Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Kelsie
T hree years later…
The porch creaks beneath my feet as I step out, my hand instinctively cradling the swell of my belly.
My gaze drifts towards the barn, where I know Carson is tending to the horses.
I make my way down the porch steps, my feet carrying me towards the barn almost of their own accord.
Peering through the open barn door, I catch sight of Carson.
His back is to me, his broad shoulders moving with practiced ease as he brushes down one of the mares.
The muscles in his arms ripple beneath his shirt.
“Good morning, cowboy,” I call, not wanting to startle him or the horses.
Carson turns, his piercing blue eyes lighting up as they meet mine.
“Mornin', beautiful. You're up early.”
I shrug, stepping further into the barn.
“Your daughter seems to think dawn is the perfect time for acrobatics.”
Carson chuckles, setting down the brush and crossing the distance between us in a few long strides.
His calloused hands come to rest on my belly, and I feel our baby girl respond to her father's touch with a series of excited kicks.
“That's my girl.”
As I gaze up at Carson. The man before me is a far cry from the guarded, hesitant cowboy from three years ago. Time has softened his edges, just as it has helped heal my own wounded heart.
“What are you thinking about?” Carson asks, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my belly.
I lean into him. “Just how lucky I am. How lucky we all are.”
Carson's arms tighten around me. This is home, this is family, this is love.
A blur of movement catches my eye, and I turn to see Collin bounding across the meadow, his dark hair tousled by the breeze. At ten years old, he is all gangly limbs and boundless energy, his bright blue eyes sparkling as he runs toward me. In his hands, he clutches a small bouquet of wildflowers.
“Mom! Mom!” he calls out, his laughter ringing through the air. “Look what I found for you!”
My heart swells, this boy who has become as much my son as if I've carried him beneath my heart.
“Oh, sweetheart, they're beautiful.”
Collin skids to a stop before me, thrusting the flowers towards me with a proud grin. “I picked them myself. Do you like them?”
I reach out to accept the bouquet. “I love them. And I love you.”
As I hold him close, I marvel at how perfectly he fit in my arms, even as he grows taller with each passing day. I whisper against his hair, “Thank you, Collin. You make everyday brighter.”
He pulls back, his eyes searching mine. “Even brighter than the baby?”
I cup his face in my hands, struck by how much he looks like Carson in that moment. “Oh, sweetheart,” I say, “you and this baby are like the sun and the moon. You both light up my world in different, but equally important ways. My love for you will never change.”
Collin's face breaks into a wide smile, and he throws his arms around me once more. As I hold him close, our unborn daughter stirs within me, as if acknowledging her brother's presence. This is the happiness I have always dreamed of but never dared to hope for.
“Let’s get inside. It’s time we start thinking about breakfast.”
The creak of the screen door a few minutes later lets us know of Carson's arrival.
“My two favorite people,” he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through his chest.
“Three,” I correct, placing a hand on my swollen belly.
Carson's eyes crinkle with joy as he covered my hand with his own. “Three.”
“I don't know about you two,” Collin pipes up, breaking the spell, “but I'm starving!”
Carson chuckled, ruffling Collin's hair. “Well, we can't have that, can we? Let's get some breakfast in you, champ.”
He takes over the kitchen, demanding that Collin and I let him cook breakfast today. I love to watch him.
“Mmm,” I hum. “Carson, you've outdone yourself.”
He winks at me as he pulls out my chair. “Anything for my girl.”
How different my life is now from those dark days when I first arrived back in this small town, guarded and broken. Now, surrounded by the laughter of my stepson and the loving presence of my husband, I feel whole in a way I never thought possible.
“Pass the syrup, please?” Collin asks, his plate already piled high with pancakes.
I smile, reaching for the bottle. “Here you go. Just don't drown them, okay?”
I turn to Carson, my fork hovering over my plate. “Have you finished painting the nursery?” I ask, unable to keep the excitement from creeping into my voice.
Carson's blue eyes sparkled as he replied, “Almost. Just need to add those little cloud details you wanted.” His hand moves to rest on my swollen belly, a gesture that never fails to make my heart flutter. “Our little girl's going to have the prettiest room in the whole county.”
I lean into his touch, savoring the warmth of his calloused palm through my thin cotton dress. “I can't believe she'll be here in just a few weeks.”
“We still need to decide on a name,” Carson reminds me, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my stomach.
I am about to respond when the crunch of tires on gravel catches my attention. Peering out the window.
“Is that Jake?” Collin asks, craning his neck to see.
Sure enough, my brother emerges from his vehicle, his sandy hair ruffled by the breeze. Carson stands, moving to open the door. “Morning.”
“Morning, guys,” he replied, stepping onto the porch. “Hope I'm not interrupting breakfast.”
Gone is the wary, overprotective brother who once viewed my relationship with Carson with suspicion. In his place stands a man who has come to terms with my choices, who has seen the depth of love between Carson and I.
“Want to take a walk? I could use some fresh air.”
He nods, understanding passing between us.
“You look happy, Kels,” Jake says, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “It suits you.”
“I am happy,” I whisper, one hand resting on my swollen belly. “Happier than I ever thought I could be.”
Jake turns to face me, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “You've been through so much,” he said, his voice rough. “But you've come out stronger. The way you've built this life with Carson, the love you share... it's beautiful to see.”
“Thank you. It means everything to me. To us.”
Jake squeezed my hand. “That's what big brothers are for, right?”