Page 134 of The Rogue

I watch him. “You did?”

“I’ve been so worried for you, Tess. Every restless night. Every meal averted. Your mood swings. Then with all this weighing over your shoulders...”

I reach to stroke his beard. He catches it, bringing it to his face. “You’re about six weeks,” he tells me. “Are you happy?”

I smile weakly, scrunching my nose. “Yeah. Yeah, I think so.” I roll my eyes. “Who am I kidding?” I swipe a loose tear from my face. “I’m over the moon to have your baby, Cowboy.”

He releases a breathy, relieved laugh. “Good.” He grips my hand. “Because I want a big family with you, Whiskey.”

I smile back. Then gasp. “Oh my God, Jackson.”

“Dad’s got him. He’ll spend the night.” He leans in. “And hewasin school today. All day.”

I cover my face, feeling humiliated. “I thought it was your ex-wife.”

“I realized that.” He swallows. “I’m sorry you have to deal with my drama.”

I scoff. “Yeah.Yourdrama.” I look around the hospital room. “How did you all find me, anyway?”

He rubs my ring finger. “This told us where you were. And that you were alive.”

I release a heavy breath. "Well, look at that. Being your wife really saved my life."

“Frank wants you to wear it for a while. Make sure there is no one else we don’t know about. And I’m getting you a new phone number. I don’t like that he was able to reach you.” He perks a brow. “I don’t like that you responded to a cryptic message when you knew your life was in danger.”

I wince. “I’m sorry. I panicked. It wasn’t Kenny’s fault. He shouldn’t lose his job.”

“His job was to keep you safe,” he says tightly. “Myjob was to keep you safe.”

I pout, hoping it gains me some sympathy because I’m pretty sure he’s waiting for the right moment to yell at me for all this. “I don’t make it easy.”

He smooths the top of my head and grins. “I married the town rogue. I signed up for this.”

EPILOGUE

Three Months Later

For years, Christmas has been a shadow of what it once was. A reminder of who’s missing.

Marybell. Then Elliot. It seemed like little by little, this house grew emptier. Not just with pieces of my heart missing, but my boys—hollow versions of the men they should have been.

Until now.

This year, I had a reason to go all out with the lights. Fix that old doorbell. Cook for a day and a half. Whip out the table extension. And finally, make pitchers of eggnog.

The house isn’t entirely filled yet, but it’s already buzzing with a new energy. One we only got a taste of last year when Chase and Pepper hosted.

Thedoorbell rings a third time this evening.

“I’ll get it,” I call back to the hockey couple and my other guest tonight in the kitchen. Swinging the door open, I let Charlie in. Noah is behind her, carrying gift bags, and what do you know—he’s scowling.

Following his girlfriend inside, he gives me a curt nod. “Merry Christmas. Next year, we do this at our house.”

I help him with the bags and move them under the tree. “Levi and Tess already called dibs on hosting next year.”

Noah looks around for the couple. “Well, I beat them here so—”

Charlie smacks Noah’s arm. “They’re going to have a new baby. It’ll just be easier than schlepping everything to someone else’s house.”

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