Chapter 13 #2
I tighten my hold on her. “We got together after Walker and Birdie’s wedding and kept it quiet at first. Things moved fast after I found out Charlie was pregnant.
We got married so I could add her to my insurance before her first prenatal appointment and support her better during the pregnancy.
Still, I would have wanted all of this with her no matter what.
” My gaze flickers down at Charlie, who’s staring at me with wide eyes, lips slightly parted before I look back at Kay.
“Everything just happened on a more expedited timeline than either of us expected.”
Kay traces her thumb and forefinger across her mouth. “I find that hard to believe. You two were pretty convincing when you acted like you couldn’t stand each other. Charlie used to go on about how you ruined her peace by merely existing. Her words, not mine.”
“We didn’t exactly get along, but I suppose what they say is true—there’s a thin line between love and hate.” I wink at Charlie before shifting my hand from her shoulder to her hip, drawing her closer to my side. “Besides, I’ve always loved a woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind.”
Life with her is a welcome change from the mundane routine on the ranch.
Charlie is the fresh air I didn’t realize I was missing until she blew into my life like a force of nature—unpredictable and untamed. I find myself wanting to spend every free second in her orbit, captivated by her stubborn streak and sharp tongue.
“Oh, you can do better than that,” Florence chimes in. “Tell us what made you realize she was the one?”
“The first time I saw her dancing up on the bar at Blue Moon Tavern, she yelled, “This is my Coyote Ugly moment, bitches!’ and it felt like being drawn in by gravity.” I glance down at Charlie, who’s looking up at me with flushed cheeks.
“She was so free, wild, and beautiful, and I knew I had to make her mine.” My only regret is not acting on my feelings sooner.
Florence lets out a wistful sigh. “Charlie did well picking this one. It’s obvious he’s pussy-whipped by our girl.”
Yeah, I am.
Charlie lets out a startled choking noise, her face turning bright red. Judging by the way Kay is still studying me, she isn’t entirely convinced.
“When did you find out you’re pregnant?” she asks Charlie.
“At my last appointment with Dr. Hansen,” Charlie replies. “I only kept it from you because I was afraid you’d think you had to step in and help me raise the baby. You’ve built an incredible life here, and I couldn’t risk taking that away from you.” Her voice wavers at the end.
“Oh, honey.” I step aside as Kay pulls Charlie into a fierce hug. “I’d have done it in a heartbeat. Not out of obligation, but because I wanted to. There’s no greater blessing than a great-grandbaby, and I couldn’t be more excited.” She leans back and rests her hand on Charlie’s stomach.
Charlie’s shoulders relax, a small smile breaking through.
Until recently, Kay was the only family she had, and I know how much Kay’s approval means to her.
Florence clasps her hands together. “I do love a happy ending—in every sense.”
We all break out into laughter.
How had I missed what a quirky character she was? You’d think the town gossip mill would’ve shared more of her questionable comments by now. Then again, if she was the one pulling strings behind the rumors, as I suspect, that would explain a lot.
“You’ll have to watch that crass language of yours before the baby arrives, Florence,” Kay scolds, letting go of Charlie and wiping away a tear. “This also means we need to start quilting baby blankets soon. Babies are messy, and Charlie’s going to need plenty of backups.”
“Sounds like a shopping trip to Bluebonnet Stitches is in order,” Florence agrees.
As the conversation shifts to quilting patterns, I lean over and sling an arm around Charlie’s shoulders, whispering in her ear, “Told you they’d be too excited about the baby to care about anything else.”
She smirks up at me. “Looks like you were right for once.”
Damn, I love her snark. If we were alone right now, I’d kiss her until she begged me to pull her into the nearest supply closet and fuck her senseless.
“Florence, dinner is starting soon,” Kay says, nodding at the clock on the fireplace mantel. “Charlie will escort you to the dining room so you don’t miss any of the action.” She turns to me, her expression hardening. “Heath and I need to have a little chat. Alone.”
Shit.
Charlie tenses under my arm. I draw her closer and give her a reassuring squeeze.
“Hope you didn’t think you were off the hook, cowboy,” Florence taunts with a wicked chuckle.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I quip.
“Good man. Now be a dear and fetch my walker, will you?” She gestures to where it’s parked against the wall.
I release Charlie and grab the walker, setting it in front of Florence. I cup her elbow with one hand and hold her other hand, helping her stand. Once she’s steady, she shifts toward me.
“You’ve got my approval,” she whispers in my ear. “And if I like someone, Kay’s usually never too far behind.”
I find that oddly reassuring as Charlie kisses her grandma’s cheek.
“Be nice, Grams,” she warns.
“I’d never dream of being anything but,” Kay replies, her face giving nothing away.
I’m envious of Charlie and Florence as they walk toward the dining room. This conversation is going to end with either Kay threatening my life or grilling me until I sweat. Probably both.
She lowers herself into the seat Florence vacated, leaning her cane against the armrest. “I’ll cut right to the chase, Heath. I’m not going to be around forever, and I need to know that what you just said wasn’t all bullshit and that you’ll take good care of my girls.”
I blink, caught off guard by how direct she sounds, and take the seat beside her.
“You’re not going anywhere anytime soon, but if it puts your mind at ease, you have my word. I’m here to stay. Charlie is my present, my future, and my—” I stop short, replying to what she just said. “Wait. You said girls as in plural.”
She grins. “Yes. Charlie and the baby.”
“What makes you think it’s a girl?”
We have our first ultrasound soon, but the medical assistant I spoke with said we’d likely find out the sex at the second appointment.
“Let’s call it a grandmother’s intuition.” She taps her chest over her heart. “In fact, you’re going to have a house full of girls someday. No boys, I’m afraid.”
“Whoa, slow down,” I say, holding up a hand. “We’re only having one.”
“For now,” Kay replies cryptically.
My shoulders drop in relief, grateful she didn’t somehow predict that we’re having twins or worse. Charlie’s pregnancy is already considered high risk, and any talk of additional complications makes my stomach knot.
I reach over and give her hand a squeeze. “No matter what comes next, Charlie is everything to me, and I’m going to spend every day proving I’m worthy of her.”
Kay smiles and pats my cheek. “Good. Because if you break her heart, they’ll never find your body, cowboy.”
She may be pushing eighty, but I don’t doubt her for a second.