Page 76 of Fierce Protector

She drove to her office. Her receptionist smiled at her when she entered through the back door.

“I’m glad you’re here early. I’ve got a pile of messages—”

Demi held up a hand, stopping her. “I promise I’ll take all the messages in a few minutes. I need to do something first.”

She went into her office and closed the door. Looking at her boring desk, she imagined photos of their beautiful child in cute frames lined up.

She had plans for more photos.

Sinking to her chair, she pulled up the email she asked the doctor’s office to send her. It too contained a photo—of the latest ultrasound.

After printing the photo in two sizes, she took the smaller one and cut it out to fit into a tiny clear keychain. Then she pulled out a package of baby bootie stickers she’d picked up at a scrapbooking shop in town.

She selected the appropriate color bootie and placed it carefully on the corner of the photo of their little bean.

So far, everything was perfect. She just had one more thing to do.

She cut a slip of white paper small enough to slip behind the image. In neat letters, she wrote a message to Ledger.

Sitting back, she stared at her handiwork. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies. This was a huge step forward in her life.

One she couldn’t wait to embark on with the man she loved at her side.

She pocketed the keychain and then went out to take those messages from her receptionist. Tonight, she’d give Ledger the keychain, and everything would be wonderful.

She drew her lip between her teeth. At least she hoped it would be. The ball was in his court.

* * * * *

Ledger swiped his forearm across his forehead, catching the bead of sweat with his sleeve. “Damn, does this place ever stop being hot?”

“Come winter you’ll be asking where all the warm weather went.” Zach set the point of his shovel in the mound of dirt at their feet. The new fence posts to be strung with electric wire would secure the land even more. Neither of them expected more attacks, but the rangers hadn’t found all the wolves yet.

Ledger eyed the man. Zach had a lot in common with Ledger. They just didn’t say much because they were cautious about who they let in.

“You wanna go to a baby shower at the end of the month?”

His question sent surprise across Zach’s face. “You want me to come?”

He held his stare. “Of course. You’re part of the team now.”

Zach rolled his shoulders in a display of discomfort. The shirt he wore pulled tight across the width. “Didn’t know you felt that way. I’m not sure the others do.”

“We all want you here, Webb.”

He seemed to struggle for a response. Then his lips firmed, and he gave a swift nod. “I’m here for all of you. And I’ll be at the baby shower. I’m real happy for you and Demi.”

A soft noise came from their right. They swung around to see Demi standing there, her fingers pressed to her lips to trap in the quiet sob.

He dropped his shovel and took off toward her. “Oh, baby. Come here.”

He wrapped her in his arms, pulling her tight against his chest. She hadn’t been joking when she told him she was in the emotional stage of pregnancy. Over the past week, she’d cried several times. Each time he was there to comfort her, he fell in love with her a little more.

Zach moved up next to them, leaning his shovel against the barn wall. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

She sniffled and gave him a watery smile. Ledger watched him go before turning his complete focus on Demi.

“I’m glad you’re here. I didn’t expect to see you until after your rounds.”

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