Page 7 of Redbird

I see the way she watches Cash grow up. Proud, but with a little ache like she might cry.

Bending, I press my lips to her forehead.

“You want a baby, redbird, let’s have one,” I tell her.

Her eyes light up. “Really?”

“Really.”

She bites her lip and then she smiles. It’s breathtaking and I’m lost in it.

“When?” she asks eagerly.

“Anytime.”

She laughs, like she’s excited and nervous all at once. Her lashes glitter wet. I trace the palm of my hand down between her breasts and rest it on her lower belly. Before Cash was born, I put that little wooden foal on her stomach and dreamed of what our lives could be with a child in them.

Now I know how good it is. Sometimes it’s hard, but, God, it’s so fucking good.

“What do you want?” she asks.

“Hmm, girl this time,” I say. “But whatever it is, that’s fine.”

She nods. “I’d like a little girl.”

I wonder what a daughter of mine would be like. Cash is a carbon copy of me and I know how to manage that. I’ll raise him to work the ranch and he’ll fit into my world like a puzzle piece. But I know being a woman is harder, it’s more dangerous. Keira is proof of that.

The notion that my daughter might suffer sparks an ugly rage in me. If she’s like Keira, she’ll be too sweet for this world.

For tonight, I tamp my worries down. First we’ll have joy, then we can navigate the rougher waters.

So I turn my mind off and kiss her because the world is quiet tonight.

CHAPTER THREE

KEIRA

Part of me knew he’d be happy to start trying again. But when he says yes right away, I can’t keep the tears back. One slips into my hair. His thumb comes up and brushes it away.

“Are you happy?” he asks.

I just nod.

“Good,” he says. “That’s all I want, redbird.”

At first, it was hard for me to believe that was truly all he wanted. I spent so much time with my first husband who didn’t care what I needed. It frightened me at first that Gerard was ready and willing to give me anything. It took me a long time to realize his kindness isn’t a trap. Or a trick so he can hurt me, the way it was with Clint.

But old habits die hard. Even now, it makes my head spin that there’s no cruelty hidden under his actions.

When he says he loves me, he means it.

When he does something for me, there’s no catch.

I clear my throat. “Kiss me again,” I beg.

He does, giving me a taste of his tongue before pulling back. His mouth is firm and warm on my neck as he kisses down to my collarbone. I feel the brush of his palm over my breast. Then he tugs and cool air washes over my right breast and nipple, tightening it.

My eyes flutter shut. The cool air is replaced by his hot mouth.

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