Chapter 22 #2
“Bold move sitting on the floor, hellcat.” He smiles tentatively.
“Good luck getting me up once we’re done,” I quip, patting my bump.
He scoots close enough to drape an arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple.
“Missed you,” he says.
“Missed you too,” I reply softly.
It’s a little unsettling how dependent I’ve become on him.
He cooks all our meals, does the laundry, and there’s an ache in my chest when he’s gone.
It’s another reason I feel guilty whenever he leaves the ranch early to be with me.
He’s swamped with work and still hasn’t hired a foreman yet, but the second I need him, he drops everything to be here.
He takes my bowl and sets it aside, so he has my full attention.
“Want me to explain why I paid your overdue bills, or do you have questions first?” Heath asks, cutting straight to the chase.
“It’s too much. The credit card alone was over forty-five thous—”
“What’s mine is yours,” he interjects, his calloused hands cupping my face. “Taking care of my girls is a privilege, and nothing I do could ever be too much. Not when you both deserve the world.”
I shoot him a playful smirk. “Better not tell our daughter or she’ll try to sweet-talk you into spoiling her rotten.”
“Good. I’m hoping she’ll learn a thing or two from her mama,” he says with a wink.
I shift closer as I cautiously meet his eyes. “How did you find out about the debt?”
“You left some bills out by the shop register, and I saw them,” he explains sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It was the day after you told me you were pregnant.”
I settle back against the couch, his arm still wrapped around my shoulders. “Is that why you pushed so hard for us to get married?” I speak slowly, keeping my tone even. “Because you didn’t think I could take care of our baby alone?”
Heath shakes his head. “Absolutely not. I proposed before I knew about your financial situation, remember?”
“Yeah. Out of obligation,” I mutter to myself.
He recoils, stunned as if I’d slapped him. “That’s still what you believe?”
I shrug. “It’s the truth.”
He opens his mouth to respond but thinks better of it and closes it.
I’m not sure why he gets so cagey when I bring up his first proposal.
I told him I was pregnant, and he immediately dropped to one knee, even though we had actively been avoiding each other.
Without the baby, we’d never have hooked up again and would still be trading barbs whenever our paths crossed.
Those are facts, no matter how much he wants to pretend otherwise.
“I didn’t tell you about the past-due payments because I wanted to prove I could handle at least some of it on my own.” I rest my head against his chest, tilting my face to look at him. “It was embarrassing enough that you were covering so many of my expenses, including my health insurance.”
“You’re my wife,” he says, caressing my cheek. “I never want you to have to struggle again. Not when I’m here to help.”
I blow out a shaky breath. “It’s difficult relying on someone when I’m used to doing it all on my own.
Grams started slowing down a decade ago, and I was running the shop right out of high school to lighten her load.
When she moved to Meadowbrook, I promised I’d support her no matter what it took, even if it meant getting behind on my own bills.
She’s done so much for me, and I wanted to repay her. ”
“She’s lucky to have you, but you’re not alone anymore,” he says reverently.
“You’re my person, Charlie. After a long day at the ranch, I can’t wait to come home to your quick wit and sharp tongue.
Life with you is never boring. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, and it sure as hell isn’t out of obligation.
” He takes my hand and rests it over his heart.
“Taking care of you makes me the happiest man alive.”
The sincerity in his voice dismantles the last of my reservations about accepting his unconditional support.
Since proposing, he’s had nothing but my best interests at heart, and even though I’m stubborn as hell most days, he meets me with nothing but patience and loyalty.
I’ve let my pride get in the way for far too long, and it’s time I stopped fighting someone who hasn’t given me a reason to doubt him.
Not when he wants nothing more than to make my life easier.
“The little peanut and I are lucky to have you,” I say, beaming at Heath.
He brings my hand to his lips and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “I’m the lucky one.”
“Always knew you were a big teddy bear under that gruff exter—”
My playful taunt is cut short by a faint fluttering sensation rippling through my lower belly, and I instinctively move my hand to my stomach.
Heath bolts upright. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
A bubble of laughter escapes me. “I think the baby just kicked.”
Another flutter ripples across my belly, stronger this time.
I lift my shirt and guide Heath’s hand to my stomach, holding it there. His eyes widen the second a firm kick pushes against his palm.
“Holy shit,” he whispers, rubbing circles across my skin with his thumb. “That’s our girl.”
I look over at him, tears blurring my vision. “Yeah, it is.”
“Thank you for giving me this gift of a family,” he murmurs. “I promise I’ll cherish you always.”
Suddenly, nothing else seems important as we sit in awe, grinning at each other every time our daughter kicks—a sweet reminder of the life we created together, and that in a few short months, we’ll be a family of three.