Page 51 of Cowboy Stolen Kiss for Christmas

“That’s amazing!” She squeezed her eyelids shut, trying to absorb it all.

“You sure you’re okay?” He toyed with a strand of her hair.

“If floating on clouds of happiness counts as okay, then yes.”

“It counts.” He reluctantly nudged her back toward the truck. “We’d better head to the house so you can say hi to Noelle. Though she never complains, I think she’s been missing her friends in Pinetop. Your visit will mean a lot to her.”

“Then let’s not keep her waiting.” Laura walked hand in hand with him to the truck. “I can’t wait to share our news with her and your brothers.”

“My brothers are going to give me a hard time about taking so long to pop the question.” He kept up his cheerful grumbling, making her laugh all the way back to the house.

An ambulance was parked in the driveway when they arrived. Though the siren was off, its lights were flashing.

Laura’s smile froze on her lips. “Noelle,” she gasped, realizing it had to be close to her delivery date. “I hope she’s okay.”

Ames hurriedly parked on the side lawn, and they took off running toward the house. Before they could reach the porch, Noelle was rolled out on a stretcher.

“Baby’s coming,” she announced in a voice that was half exultant and half apprehensive. Her blonde ponytail was pulled loosely to one side.

Laura instinctively reached for her hand and started walking alongside the stretcher. “Where’s Nash?”

“He’s fetching my go bag.” There was a catch in her voice.

“Want me to go with you guys to the hospital?” Laura wasn’t sure what made her ask.

“Yes, please!” Nervous tears rolled down Noelle’s cheeks. “As difficult as my mother is, I kind of wish she lived closer right now.”

“Well, you’ve got me as long as you need me,” Laura assured. She sent an apologetic look to Ames, hoping he didn’t mind.

He nodded encouragingly.

“You’re future sister-in-law,” Laura added shyly.

Noelle’s mouth fell open. “Are you guys serious?” Despite her condition, she tried to sit up on the stretcher, eyes snapping with joy. “I’m so happy, happy, happy for you!”

“Whoa, little mama!” The paramedic held her in place.

Moments later, she was seized by a contraction that had her panting with pain. “Our little cowboy is anxious to make his appearance,” she wheezed.

Nash dashed out the front door with her bag in hand. “Got it!” There was no hiding his excitement and anticipation. Nor his worry for his wife. “You hanging in there, sweetheart?”

“Yes, but hurry,” she pleaded. “I don’t think we have much time.”

She was right.

While they were wheeling her into the E.R., Nash Dayton Carson, Junior made his noisy entrance into the world.

“My precious little Day!” Noelle reached for her baby with streaming eyes.

The paramedics gently placed her son in her arms before they finished wheeling her into the triage bay. As soon as all vitals were checked for mother and baby, they were pronounced fit to transfer upstairs to the delivery ward.

Her OB-GYN doctor rushed into the room, still gloving up. “Talk about an entrance,” he complained good-naturedly. “I feel like I’m late to the party.”

Flint joined them at the hospital within the hour, and they all took turns visiting with Noelle and holding the baby.

Laura had never seen three grown men so ecstatic. Nash was over the moon about being a new father, and his brothers were equally over the moon about becoming uncles. It was clear that family was very important to them.

Nash and Flint welcomed Laura to the family, as well, with crushing bear hugs.

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