Chapter Twenty-Four – Lilibeth
Lilibeth
Once I was in my room, I softly shut the door and put my hand up to my mouth.
Is this really happening?
Pushing off the door, I quickly headed to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My fingers traced my lips, which still tingled from Caden’s kisses. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, then slowly let it out.
Opening my eyes once again, I smiled. A part of me had given up hope that nothing more than friendship would ever come out of our arrangement. A small part of me, a very small part, held out hope that he felt the same for me as I did for him.
“That must have been some talk with his parents,” I whispered, as I looked at myself in the mirror. I quickly took off my overalls and dug out my winter riding clothes.
It took everything I had not to pick up my phone and text Ensley or Emeline to tell them I was going on a date with their brother.
Ensley would tell me she’d told me so, while Emeline would be over the moon.
Both of them had tried to convince me in the last few weeks that Caden felt more for me than he was admitting, but I’d refused to believe it.
Maybe it was my way of protecting my heart… I wasn’t sure.
Avoiding my cell, I put on my riding boots, grabbed a scarf, a knit hat, and my riding gloves, and headed downstairs.
I could hear Caden speaking to someone from inside his office. I decided to head to the kitchen for a quick snack and a drink.
“Ready to go?” he asked, entering the kitchen a few minutes later.
Swallowing the last of the peanut butter cracker, I nodded. “Ready.”
We headed to his truck, and when something buzzed, Caden pulled out his cell, looked at it, then smiled.
“Good news?” I asked, as he opened the truck door, then held my hand as I climbed up into the cab.
“Something like that,” he said with a wink that sent my heart into overdrive.
As we drove to the barn, Caden and I talked about the theme for the baby’s room.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I don’t want to do the typical themes. You know, like Noah’s Ark, Winnie the Pooh.”
“Alice in Wonderland?” he asked with a grin.
Laughing, I said, “No! I love my store, but I want something different for the baby. Something whimsical for sure, though.”
“Have you wondered about whether it’s a boy or a girl?” he asked.
I placed a hand over my little bump. “I think it’s a girl.”
“I do too.”
Surprised, I asked, “What makes you think so?”
“Something my grandmother said to me when she found out you were pregnant. She said the more morning sickness you had, the more likely it would be a girl.”
I groaned. “I’ve had enough morning sickness to last me a lifetime, if I’m being honest. My mom thinks it’s a boy.”
“I hope it’s a girl.”
My heart tripped in my chest. “You do?”
He smiled. “I don’t know why, but I’m hoping for a little girl.”
“I thought for sure you’d want a boy to follow in your footsteps with the ranch.”
“Nothing says a girl can’t run this ranch. Especially a Wilde.”
I leaned my head back and smiled. “I think you’re right. Since she’ll have your blood running through her, she’ll make a wonderful rancher.”
I felt him looking at me. “You’d be okay with that? I mean, if we had a girl and she grew up wanting to do what I do?”
Lifting my head, I studied him. His gaze was back on the road. “Of course I’d be okay with it. I’ll be okay with whatever she—or he—wants to do in life. My parents allowed me to follow my dreams, and I want that for my child as well.”
“I feel the same. Boy or girl, I’ll never pressure them in any direction. My father and mother have always let me know they’d support whatever dreams I have.”
We pulled up to the barn as Emeline was walking out. Her smile lit up like a Christmas tree.
I got out of the truck and made my way toward her. “Hey! How are you feeling?”
“I’m exhausted. Like, all the time. I actually fell asleep at my desk yesterday. My mother had to wake me up. And the worst part of all—I can’t eat my Swedish Fish!”
Caden laughed.
“What do you mean, you can’t eat them?”
“Last week I opened up a bag and the smell instantly made me feel sick. I swear, if this pregnancy makes me hate my favorite snack, I don’t think I’ll ever recover.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I think it’ll pass. I was actually craving bacon this morning.”
“You were?” Caden asked.
I nodded. “Yep. Bacon on a biscuit with a slice of cheddar cheese and peanut butter. I was just thankful we had everything for me to make it.”
Caden gagged. “Lili, that is disgusting.”
“I was on board until you said peanut butter. That’s a hard pass,” Emeline agreed.
“You love peanut butter,” I said.
Emeline screwed up her face. “Not with bacon and cheese!” She shuddered and then looked at Caden. “That favor you asked of me?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s taken care of.”
Caden hugged his sister. “Thank you.”
“You owe me.”
He kissed her cheek. “I know I do.”
“Marshall has a couple of horses saddled up for you two. Just be careful with the icy patches out there. I wouldn’t run them.”
At that moment, Marshall walked up with two stunning horses I’d never seen before.
“Oh my gosh! These horses are beautiful.” They were both paints, both mares, and clearly both feeling feisty.
Emeline smiled as Marshall came to a stop. She ran her hand over one and said, “These two are sisters. This is Altair. A fast, bright star in the Aquila constellation. And this beautiful girl is Cassiopeia, but Cass for short. A northern constellation.”
“Are they twins?” I asked, running my hand down Altair’s neck.
“They’re not twins. They’re three years apart. They came to us from a ranch in Utah. The owner passed away and his kids were selling the ranch. The moment I saw their names, I knew I had to have them. Marshall and Luke drove there last week to pick them up and bring them back.”
“Can’t wait to ride them. You’re sure she’s safe for Lilibeth?” Caden asked, eyeing Altair.
“I’ve ridden them both myself and can promise you, they’re gentle giants.”
Caden held his hands out for me to step on them and boost me into the saddle. Emeline was right, this horse was a sweet girl.
“We won’t be long,” Caden called as we headed out of the paddock and down a trail.
I rode behind him for most of the way and simply enjoyed the peace and quiet of the ranch. We took a path I hadn’t been on before, and I realized we were headed downhill. When we emerged from the trees, we were in a small valley.
“You’re not cold, are you?” Caden asked, glancing over at me as I rode up alongside him.
Smiling, I shook my head. “Not at all. Oh my gosh, this is gorgeous! I don’t think I’ve ever seen this part of the ranch.”
Before me was the most beautiful view I’d ever seen. It was a small meadow with an adorable frozen lake directly in front of us. Beyond the lake, trees led straight to the mountains. I could imagine how stunning the reflection of the mountains and sky would look on this lake when it wasn’t frozen.
“This is my favorite place on the ranch, after the spot where my parents got married. See that little dock right there?”
I followed where he was pointing. “Yes, I see it.”
“That’s where I caught my first fish with my grandfather. He was the one who brought me here for the first time. When I need to think, I come here.”
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I can just imagine what it looks like in the summer. Is the lake completely frozen?”
“Oh yeah. It’s not that deep, but it’s fed from the mountains, and on the other side, it runs into the river. In the summer, it’s freezing cold. Emeline and Ensley learned how to ice skate on this little lake.”
I smiled as I took it in, then turned to look at him. He was staring out at the lake.
“Caden…why did you bring me here?”
He didn’t speak or even look at me for a few moments. Then he smiled and glanced down at the horse. “This place has always been my spot, and my spot alone. I’ve never been here with anyone…except, of course, for my family.”
My brows drew together in confusion. I wanted desperately to ask if Rachel had been here. I didn’t have to. It was as if Caden had read my mind.
Turning his gaze to mine, he said, “I never brought Rachel here. Not once. I wasn’t sure why,” he said with a shrug.
“I guess I never wanted to share this place with her. At the time, I had a suspicion she wouldn’t appreciate it like I did.
Now, looking back…I think I didn’t bring her here because I knew deep down that we weren’t going to last.”
I wasn’t entirely sure which emotion I was feeling, but my entire body warmed. “And why did you bring me here?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure of that, either. I just knew I had the deepest urge to show it to you. I think I knew you’d find it just as beautiful as I do.”
I bit my lip and looked back over the snow-covered field and lake. If you looked up “winter wonderland” in a dictionary, you’d see a picture of this spot. It was like a blanket of pure innocence. Untouched by everything except for Mother Nature herself.
“The sunlight hitting the snow makes it glow almost,” I said softly.
Before Caden could reply, movement caught both of our attention as a moose suddenly appeared from the tree line and made its way toward the lake.
“He won’t walk out on the ice, will he?” I whispered.
“No, he won’t,” Caden replied in a quiet voice. “Come on, let’s head on out.”
We carefully turned the horses and started to head back into the tree line.
Right before we were swallowed up by pine trees, I turned and looked back at the moose.
He was standing at the edge of the lake, looking directly at us.
Before I faced forward again, I saw another moose walking out of the woods…
with a calf following behind her. They were making their way toward the bull moose.
“Caden,” I whispered. “Look.”
He stopped, turned his horse slightly, and smiled at the sight. “It’s a little family.”
My entire body shivered with the excitement of seeing them. Nothing would ever top this day now.
“Come on, let’s get you back before you get too cold.”
It was almost time to leave for my date with Caden, and I couldn’t contain my nerves.
I was excited yet still a little in shock.
Today had been a whirlwind of emotions, and a part of me couldn’t believe the change in Caden.
I was, of course, beyond happy for the change, but I could admit I’d pinched myself a few times during the course of the day.
I took one last look in the mirror and blew out a breath.
I really needed to go and buy some maternity clothes.
Practically nothing fit already, so I opted for a stretchy sweater dress that would accommodate my tiny baby bump.
I paired it with my favorite cowboy boots and wore my hair down.
I curled it just a bit and put on light makeup.
Caden hadn’t told me where we were going, so I wasn’t sure if I was overdressed or underdressed.
Reaching for my purse, I grabbed a shawl, just in case I’d need something to keep me warm inside wherever we were going.
I walked down the steps and called out Caden’s name.
“I’m in my office!” he answered from down the hall. I set my purse and shawl down on a chair and made my way toward him.
Caden was sitting behind his desk, and the sight of him nearly made my legs go out from under me. He wore a black cowboy hat, a black, long-sleeved button-up shirt, and a tie. My God, if he wasn’t the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on.
He looked up—and stilled at the sight of me.
My cheeks instantly heated. “I wasn’t sure how to dress, since you didn’t tell me what we were doing. Should I go change? Although, I will admit that I’m quickly running out of clothes to change into.”
Standing, Caden slowly made his way around his desk. He stalked toward me like a predator, and my insides clenched with desire.
“You look beautiful, Lili.”
Smiling, I dipped my head and stared at the floor. Caden placed his finger under my chin and brought my gaze to his. A lazy smile appeared on his face, and I reached out to take hold of him, fearful my legs would give out.
“A part of me wants to take you to bed and make love to you right now.”
My lips parted slightly, and I almost let out a moan.
He winked. “But we’re going on our first date. Official date. You’re dressed perfectly. Are you comfortable?”
I nodded. “I am.”
Then Caden did something I wasn’t expecting. He dropped to his knee and put his hands on my belly. He closed his eyes before leaning in and kissing my stomach.
Dear God and baby Jesus above, is he trying to melt me into a puddle of desire?
When he opened his eyes, he glanced up. “I realized earlier I haven’t touched you at all, and seeing your little baby bump outlined in this dress…it…” He swallowed hard and drew in a breath before exhaling and looking back at the bump. “This is our baby.”
Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I nodded, even though he wasn’t looking at me.
“When did the doctor say the baby will start hearing us?”
“Around twenty-three weeks.”
Caden kissed it once more, then stood.
Smiling, I said, “You look handsome. I love the black hat compared to your tried and true white one.”
His cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. “We should probably go before we end up not making it tonight.”
I laughed softly as Caden kissed my cheek, then went back around his desk. He did something on his computer, shut it, then motioned for me to go first.
After slipping on my coat, Caden grabbed his and headed out the front door. He walked to the passenger side of his truck and helped me climb in, tossing his coat into the back before getting into the driver’s seat.
As we drove into town, Caden spoke a little bit about the ranch, I talked about the store, then the conversation moved to the baby’s room.
“Can I draw up something I was thinking about for the nursery?”
Surprised, I asked, “You can draw?”
He laughed. “Not great, but I think I can get the idea across to you.”
“I’d love to see your thoughts.”
We turned on Main, and I stared out the window as we drove along. Most of the stores would be closing soon. We drove past Wonderland Whimsy, and I smiled. I’d worked my ass off to build that store, and it would never not be thrilling each time I saw it.
“Moreen closing up today?” Caden asked.
“No, two girls I hired part time are working this afternoon. Moreen opened this morning. I think her plan tonight was to work in her kitchen on some recipes.”
Caden nodded. “For the bakery or café she would like to open someday I’m guessing.”
Caden pulled up and parked outside the town’s small theater. I glanced up to see if anything was playing, but the marquee just read “private event.”
“Are we going to the theater?”
“We are,” Caden replied with a half-smile.
He got out, left his jacket, and jogged around to help me out of the truck. Once we got inside, I came to an abrupt halt.
Standing before me, dressed all in back, was Caden’s mother.