Page 194 of Never Let You Go

He seems so excited about it, I don’t find it in me to protest. To use my morning sickness and afternoon slumps for an excuse. He’d get worried over nothing.

“Ready,” I breathe into his kiss.

He palms my breast and groans. “Ah fuck. That’s the best.”

I blush under his compliment and writhe under his hand. Christopher already has a child, but he’s never been with a pregnant woman. My pregnancy is not only a total surprise, it’s also a first for both of us. I revel in those little wins. Those first times I can give him.

It means the world to me, that I’m giving him something new. Something no one ever has.

Christopher is taking his role very seriously—no surprise there. He’s over-the-top protective and oversees everything I’m eating like I’m some athlete on a mission to win the Olympics. He raided the bookshop of every book available on pregnancy. He talked with the apothecary about supplements.

I’m hard at work on the nursery. My nesting instinct is already kicking in, and with Autumn’s help, I’m already turning one of the empty rooms down the hall from a bedroom into a nursery.

Yup, my social media business is doing so well I can afford a decorator! Sure, she’s cheap, and I pay her in kind only with my marketing skills. But still—it’s a nice feeling.

As for Red Barn Baking, the process of changing the business model is moving along, but it’s slow. I’ve appointed a new CEO to drive the effort. I have weekly online meetings to follow her progress, and Christopher consults on the new stores opening, but we’ve decided our life is here in Emerald Creek.

I slide a plaid flannel shirt over my long-sleeve T-shirt and step into my hiking boots. Skye has a matching pair, and she grabs my hand after tying hers. Christopher carries our picnic bag and swings his arm over my shoulders.

We head out of town through the covered bridge, toward the hills covered in flamboyant trees. Reds, yellows, and oranges are ablaze, standing even brighter against the evergreens and the lush pastures. Skye kicks her feet in the piles of crunchy leaves. Christopher is unusually silent, his hand twirling in my hair.

We hang a left midway up the hill and end up on a dirt road covered in a canopy of maples, oaks, and birch trees. Through the foliage, the sun shines, flecks of gold on our feet. Between the branches, we see the village down below, bordered by the river, the lake in the background.

It’s glorious.

And when the church bell chimes, perfection.

We continue quietly up the hill, the trail taking us deeper into the woods, the village lost behind us, until we reach a clearing at the top. The view is even more breathtaking, hill after hill rolling into the horizon, green and blue and seemingly endless. Peaceful. Majestic in its simplicity.

My eyes water at the view. “It’s beautiful up here.”

Skye points to a meadow below us. “Daddy, can we picnic down here?”

“Pick a spot,” Christopher says, leaning over to kiss me while Skye runs downhill.

I could have walked a bit more—it really is a gorgeous day for a walk in the woods—but I’m not going to complain about this beautiful view. And maybe if we get home sooner, then we can… be playful sooner?

I’m so horny since becoming pregnant.

Skye plops on a flat grassy area and taps the space next to her for me to join her.

Christopher sits on my other side and uncorks three sparkling apple ciders. We clink our bottles and stay silent, the view enough for us. After we finish our sandwiches, I let myself fall flat on my back.

“Beautiful, scoot over.” Christopher slides a stadium blanket under me.

So protective.

Pregnancy makes me horny. It also makes me sleepy. Soon I’m dozing off, and I feel the blanket being pulled atop me. I’m vaguely aware of some rustling and whispering, and then Skye says, “Daddy, can we have dessert now?”

“Sure. Babe?”

I wave my hand, eyes still closed. “I’m good, thanks.”

Christopher clears his throat. “Skye made these galettes herself.”

I pop up. “You what? That’s awesome! I’m so impressed.” I take the galette Christopher hands me. “It—my god! It looks perfect.”

She nods. “Daddy helped me.”

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