47. Shiloh
Shiloh
Five Weeks Later
I’d like to say that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but I’d be lying.
Ledger holds my hand tightly as we walk out of the courthouse.
I finished my time on the stand, and sure, it sucked looking at the Kensingtons and having to tell a group of strangers what he did to me, what they did to others.
But if it’s what will put them away forever, then it’s fine with me.
They found the man’s body too. It was buried out in one of their pastures.
I think the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was not telling my husband that I love him. That pain matches up to getting myself into the clinic after Grey beat me. A different kind of physical pain, but pain nonetheless. But we’re on the other side of it.
I’m so glad we’re done.
I don’t ever have to come back.
Ledger tugs on my hand. “Are you hungry?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I just want to go home.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, leading us to the parking garage.
Now I’m about to do another scary thing. I know I have no reason to be scared, and he won’t be surprised, but I’m still nervous.
I clutch my stomach and take a deep breath.
I figured I was puking because I was so nervous about court and facing Grey.
I was wrong.
“My family wants to have us over for dinner. I was told it was a celebration for everything. Are you up to it?” he asks, one hand on the wheel, the other in mine.
“Yeah, sounds great.”
“I think we should tell them why we got married,” he says.
“I’m fine if you are,” I offer.
“You’re quiet,” he says, squeezing my hand.
“A lot on my mind.”
Ledger nods and keeps his eyes on the road.
I’m going to tell him when we get home.
“The other house is getting there, but they were asking for tile selections, and I forgot to make some, so you’ll need to pick those out.”
I snort. “You trust me to do that?” I ask him.
He shrugs. “I want whatever you want.”
“Good because I want what you want,” I tell him.
He chuckles and kisses my knuckles. “You’re being really weird. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I’m pregnant.” I blurt.
Ledger’s mouth drops open and his head goes back and forth between the road and me, and I knew I should have waited until he wasn’t driving.
He slows the truck down and pulls off to the shoulder of the nearly empty highway. We’re a distance away from the city, so the traffic is a lot less.
His hand grips mine. “Really?”
I bite my lower lip and nod. “I don’t know when exactly because I’ve been riding you like we no longer have a horse but …”
Ledger chuckles and sobers instantly.
He gets out of the truck and stops in front of the hood. He takes his hat off and tips his head back to the sky. His lips are moving, but I don’t know what he’s saying.
Then his smile widens, and he comes to my side of the truck, throwing the door open.
“My wife is pregnant.”
“Your wife is pregnant.”
He unclips my belt before lifting me out of the truck. He presses my back against the side and slams his lips on mine.
I sigh into his mouth as burns his lips to mine.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he asks.
I shrug and look away from his depthless eyes.
“I’m so in love with you, Shy, it’s hard to form words.”
That makes me look up. “I love you is enough,” I tell him.
“Then I love you a million times over,” he says.
“I love you too,” I rasp. “And I will never get tired of saying that.”
We stop at home to change and head out to Hayes Ranch, which will be my home in another couple of months.
I finally called Dad and told him I was married. He was both happy, mad, and sad all at the same time. Which I can understand. I felt the same way, maybe for different reasons, but I get it.
“Do you want to tell my family we’re pregnant?” he asks.
I haven’t told my dad we’re pregnant yet.
“I want to hold the secret for a while longer before we tell the world.”
Ledger grunts and kisses my knuckles. “I can do that.”
“I got you something.” I tell him, nodding toward the bag on the counter.
“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” he says, grabbing his phone and wallet.
“I saw it and thought you’d like it.”
“That’s thoughtful, thanks,” he says.
“Open it,” I tell him, bouncing on my feet. I can barely contain myself.
He huffs. “How can I say no to that?”He opens the bag and pulls out a box, and he scrunches his nose. “Seriously? A butterfly puzzle?”
“What? You don’t like it?” I ask him.
His jaw tightens, and he puts it back in the bag. “Thank you for the gift,” he mutters and kisses my cheek.
I giggle and grab his hand, kissing his knuckles. “I love you.”
“It’s a good thing I love you too,” he grumbles, rolling his eyes.
But it doesn’t take long for him to pull me into his chest and kiss my cheek. “You love messing with me, don’t you?”
“It’s a wife’s job to keep her husband on his toes.”
“Oh, boy.”
When we get to the Hayes house, it's chaos and smiles and hugs and home. I love my dad, and I’m grateful for everything he did for me. But now our family is bigger, and I’ve found a place I belong.
After we eat, Ledger announced he has news, and by the time he’s done explaining our situation. It’s silent save for the TV in the living room Naomi’s watching.
“All of this being said, you can’t tell a soul. This information stays in this house forever.”
Everyone nods absently, shock still all over their faces.
“But you’re staying married?” June asks.
“We are. It’s not exactly a typical story, but it’s ours,” Ledger says
“I knew it didn’t just happen fast,” Sterling says, and glances at June.
“Welcome to the family Shiloh, we’re glad you’re here,” Dixie says.
I blink rapidly and smile because my throat is too tight.
“Who knew my brother had it in him,” Fletcher says.
I snort, pinning my lips together, but they blab anyway. “He’s got more than you think he does.”
“Awe, man, gross,” Cooper grumbles.
June pretends to gag, and Sterling shakes his head.
“You’re next, June,” Cooper grins.
She rolls her eyes and stands from the table, starting clean up. “Yeah, whatever.”
And I don’t miss the peek at Sterling.
On our way home, I keep thinking about June and Sterling. I’ve seen them at the Wooden Cowboy a thousand times; figured they were old friends, that’s all there is to it. But now, seeing them outside of the bar with booze involved, I think there’s a lot more going on than anyone thinks.
“Do June and Sterling spend a lot of time together?” I ask Ledger.
He shrugs. “I don’t know, maybe?”
“Hmm, I’ve seen them at the bar a lot, but I think they’ve got it bad for each other.”
Ledger sighs. “Sterling is an idiot, and my best friend, but I wouldn’t want any other man with my sister.”
“Does he know that?” I ask him.
Ledger frowns. “I don’t know.”
“I guess they’ll have to figure things out for themselves, won’t they?”
Ledger chuckles. “Just when I thought we’d have some peace around here.”
I lean across the armrest. “Peace is good, but chaos is fun.”
“I married chaos incarnate, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did,” I sing.
He chuckles and pulls into the driveway. “With a baby on the way, I might as well get used to it.”
I climb into his lap and bump the horn.
“If you want a big family, then yes, my calm, cool, and collected sheriff. Chaos is about to become your middle name.”
He grins and pecks my lips.
“Bring it on.”