Chapter 27
Malachi
My Gracie was pregnant.
I still had a hard time wrapping my head around that fact. When she’d whispered those two little words, I felt my heart swell. Even when I realized the baby wasn’t mine, but Cain’s, my feelings didn’t change. I wanted this, wanted her, and this baby with my whole heart.
This woman had woven herself into my soul.
Any baby she had, I would claim as my own. It was a part of her, so it would become a part of me, too.
My brother never deserved her and didn’t deserve to be called a father. He and my father shared the same traits: cold, merciless, and apathetic.
With her in my embrace while she slept, my hand positioned protectively on her abdomen, my thoughts were a whirlwind of anxiety and dread. The fact that she’d told me she was pregnant likely meant she planned to keep it, but there was so much to discuss.
We’d gotten so lost in each other and our connection that I hadn’t taken the time to talk to her.
She needed to know I was in this with her, for all of it.
Every appointment, baby shopping, and nursery decorating—I wanted to experience it all with my Wildflower.
My mind raced, creating lists of all we’d need to do and prepare.
I didn’t even know how far along she was.
How much time did we even have before the baby was born?
Nerves skittered up my spine. I’d never been around babies before, other than Everly, but she was already almost three when we met her.
Had Gracie been around babies? Did she know how to change a diaper?
I would need to do some reading to know what to expect.
There were classes and support at the shelter that could help or at least give us some guidance, and I made a note to call them in the morning.
Breathing in Gracie’s strawberry and sunshine scent, I nuzzled her neck before drifting off to sleep.
I woke to the sound of retching, not the best wake-up call.
Rubbing at my tired eyes, I reached out for Gracie only to find her side of the bed was cold.
Now fully conscious and upright, I made the connection and dashed into the attached bathroom.
My poor Gracie was hugging the toilet, looking absolutely miserable.
“Oh, sweetheart.” I hurried to dampen a washcloth and crouched down to wipe her face.
“No, stay back,” she whimpered weakly. “I’m so gross. You didn’t agree to this mess.” She rested her head on her arm. She had dark circles under her eyes and her skin was so pale I was worried this could be more than the baby making her ill.
“You’re pregnant, Wildflower. You can’t help that you’re sick. And I’m staying for all of it.” Gently wiping her face, I moved her sweaty hair off her cheeks and neck. “Did you get any sleep?”
“A little.”
“Think you’re done? Would a shower help, or would you like to head back to bed?” I asked, wishing I could make her feel better.
“Just bed. I’m exhausted.” Carefully helping her up, I led her to the sink to wash her hands and face and guided her back to bed. She fell asleep in seconds. My poor girl was exhausted.
Checking my phone, I saw it was five o’clock, and that meant I was already running late.
I needed to get back to the ranch, but I couldn’t leave Gracie like this.
Ensuring Gracie was settled, I knocked on Kath’s door.
After a second knock with no answer, I slowly opened the door and found what I expected: Kath was not home.
I had no choice but to call in. Everett would understand. With my phone in hand, I silently went into the living room and rang Ev.
His gruff voice answered on the second ring. “Where are you, man?”
“Sorry, I’m at Gracie’s. She sick, Ev. I can’t leave her.” There was so much more I wanted to say, but it wasn’t my place.
Everett’s heavy sigh met my ears. “I’m sorry to hear she’s sick.
When do you think you’ll be able to come back?
The upgrades arrived, and we need to set them up and do another risk assessment.
You are in charge of the equine therapy program, and we have two new mares arriving today.
You need to be here to settle them in. I could have Maisie come over and take care of Grace for you. ”
“Thanks, Ev. Give me a couple of hours to see if she feels better, and I’ll let you know.
I’m sure one of the Papadakises would be here in seconds if they knew, so no need to send Maze.
Thanks though.” Ev was always a caretaker and was as solid as they came.
We were lucky to have him. “I’ll call around eleven. ”
After ending the call, I sat on the couch and pulled up some pregnancy websites.
I had a lot to learn and needed to help Gracie in any way I could.
I got lost down the rabbit hole of pregnancy, mommy blogs, and even asked Doc what I should read as a new father.
That had been a slightly embarrassing phone call, but he cared about Gracie too, and I was sure he’d heard about our relationship before now.
He was good friends with the Papadakises and Yaya and Kat knew just about everything.
Once I ordered a few things from , like something called a pregnancy pillow and some recommended ginger chews and peppermint tea, I felt a bit more steady.
I’d been so focused on reading through early pregnancy symptoms that I didn’t hear Gracie approach until she spoke. “Are you reading a mommy blog?”
A less than manly shriek came out of me as I jumped.
Her laughter warmed my soul as I rounded the couch to greet her. “You startled me.” I rubbed the back of my neck, my cheeks heating at getting caught. “And yes, I was. I want to know what to expect and how I can help you.”
Her tired gaze held mine before she stepped forward and hugged me.
To have her in my arms was becoming my favorite place in the world.
I breathed her in. Her essence was pure sunshine, her spirit overflowing with kindness and hope; in her presence, the darkness that had clung to me and sought to tear at my soul began to dissipate.
“How are you feeling?” I asked when she pulled back and led us over to sit together on the couch.
“Better. Just so tired. Pregnancy fatigue is no joke. I could sleep for a week and it wouldn’t be enough.” She nuzzled into my side with her head on my shoulder. “Wait, shouldn’t you be at work?”
“I needed to know you were okay. Leaving you alone while you were so sick was not an option.” A soft smile spread across my face as I kissed her head, a warmth blooming in my chest. “I’d much prefer to be taking care of you, anyway.”
“You’re sweet, but I’m pregnant, not dying. Women get pregnant all the time. You shouldn’t stop work or change your commitments just ‘cause of me.” She fidgeted with her fingers in her lap. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“It was my pleasure. I’ll always take care of you.” I hugged her close. We’d always taken care of each other and now that she was pregnant, I would step up.
She needed me more than ever.
Gracie was fine and insisted I get back to work. We’d argued about her returning to work today too, but I refused to control her like Cain or her parents did. She was right—pregnancy happens all the time, and the world does not stop. I needed to respect her wishes.
Turning onto the ranch, I made it back in time to help settle in our two new therapy horses. They were both gentle, dependable mares and would be great additions to the therapy program.
After taking care of the horses, I helped Ollie and Ev install some of the new security equipment.
It was a bigger task than we initially thought, so it would take a few days, but starting it helped me breathe easier.
As the communications expert, Walker would ensure everything was connected and working properly.
He could only do some trials to test its responses, and we’d have to wait until dark to test the infrared, but we were moving in the right direction.
Since I started late, I rushed through my duties to visit Gracie at work, but I couldn’t rush ranch chores and finished after eleven.
Exhaustion dogged my heels, yet I had to see my girl.
Most of the others had gone to bed, and it was just me by the time I was closing and locking the boarding stables.
Security lights lit my path back toward my cabin. I desperately needed a shower and to change my prosthetic sleeve. When I withdrew my phone from my pocket, my heart fluttered upon seeing the message from Gracie.
Wildflower
Thanks again for today. I miss you.
I was about to type out another message when the lights on the path flickered and went out.
My body froze, going on high alert. Turning on my phone’s flashlight, I assessed my surroundings.
The generator should kick in at any moment.
I headed back the way I’d come to check on the main generator.
The ranch had a few generators scattered around the property for different purposes, but the one by the main house was the most important and responsible for the security system.
By using the shortcut behind the training arena, I moved through the brush and saw the generator within moments.
I slowed my pace, assessing the large green box from a distance.
My training was screaming at me that something wasn’t right.
The usual hum was absent, and I could already see dents and damage that weren’t from usual wear and tear.
Silence echoed around me as I methodically analyzed my surroundings.
As I lowered myself, I advanced with caution to get closer and assess the damage.
Before I could do anything else, an explosion cracked through the air.
The sound was so harsh in the silence that it felt as if the ground shook.
The dogs barked, and a black blur shot past my periphery, catching my eye.
Turning sharply towards the commotion, my prosthetic’s knee joint locked up, and I stumbled.
As I shifted, trying to right myself, a twig snapped too close for comfort, and something hard collided with the side of my head.
Darkness overwhelmed me before I hit the ground.