Page 44 of In Love with a Ranger

“How does a nice roaring fire, some cozy blankets, a few soft pillows, and one adoring husband sound?”

“That sounds pretty darn good,” she smiled, looking up at him. “So we’ll go back to the cabin, cuddle under the covers, make sure you don’t have hay in certain places, and get some rest?”

“Whoa, there,” he laughed in mock-distress. “Who said anything about resting? I thought maybe we could cuddle and go ‘exploring’ again in just a bit.”

“So we are calling our alone time together ‘exploring’?”

“What should we call it? Adventures in baby-making? Adventure with the Becks? Beck and call? Becking and Necking?” he teased, handing her a T-shirt as she laughed easily.

“Becking and Necking do sound quite adventurous,” she grinned, meeting his wide smile and dancing eyes as he stood up, jerking on his clothing. “And as the newest Beck, do I have the honor of deciding what we call things between us?”

“You’re the only one who does, Sweetheart,” Gideon said tenderly, holding out his hand to her.

* * *

A week later, the pink bubble of love surrounding the two of them hadn’t faded in the slightest. She adored the fact that when Gideon got up in the mornings, he always hit snooze and then scooted closer to her, wrapping his arm around her middle and holding her. It was like starting each morning with the best hug in the world.

Honestly, she was sincerely impressed by her husband and all the different facets of his personality. One minute, he might be talking trash with the guys, almost to the point that it was obnoxious and unbearable, and the next, he would put his hand under the table, lacing his fingers with hers. It was like he treasured some of the softer moments that he had discovered since their meeting and last night topped them all.

“Where are the trash bags, Christina?”

“Um, they are right over here,” she replied, digging in the small cabinet toward the back. “Is the trash full already? I just emptied it this morning and…”

“N-No,” he stammered, looking distinctly uncomfortable – and she paused. Oh, she knew that look, and the man was up to something.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing. Never mind.”

“Gideon, what’s on your mind?”

“Well, I thought I’d try something, but it’s probably stupid and…”

“What are you thinking of trying?” she chuckled, marveling at the indecisive yet embarrassed look on his face. “Can I help you?”

“I, uh, well, um… I thought of trying to take a bubble bath like you do, and then I realized that I’d need to hang my leg practically out of the tub because of how high the cast goes. It’s probably dumb, and I have a hard enough time showering with this thing. Have I mentioned I am ready for it to come off tomorrow?” he finished, letting out a sigh and sagging his shoulders. She loved his sighs, how animated he could be when they were alone, and this soft, gentle side to him.

“Let’s try it, and I’ll help you.”

“Are you sure?”

“I think between the two of us, we can get creative about how to manage your leg, and this would be a perfect time to do so. I mean, if we mess up your cast and get it wet, it comes off tomorrow regardless.”

“That’s true.”

“But let’s try not to get it wet because then it will make sleeping cold and uncomfortable for you as well.”

“Yeah, no thanks,” he chuckled and then looked at her. “Do you think we can do this? If we can’t, it’s okay. I can just wash your back with envy and try it tomorrow,” pausing for a moment as he hesitated. “And this stays between us. The guys would harass me to no end if they knew.”

“Just you and me… Bubbles,” she whispered, teasing him and kissing his chin. “I’ll start the water.”

Not ten minutes later, Gideon was beaming proudly and sighing happily with bubbles up to his chin and his entire leg propped on the side of the tub at some weird angle. He was lying on his side, looking at her with so much love and adoration that she thought her heart would explode.

“What’s that look for?” she whispered, brushing a bubble off his spiky hair that was growing out as he angled, stretching slightly, and managed to purse his lips to kiss her fingertips from his position almost playfully.

“I just think you have the best ideas and feel lucky that you actually like me,” he beamed, sighing happily. “Whenever we leave here or get settled somewhere, I want us to have a big ol’ tub like this.”

And Christina laughed at the adolescent joy in his tone.

---