Page 33 of Caught By A Cowboy

JACE

“Idon’t see what the harm in telling people is, you had the doctor confirm it,” I tell her as she makes one final check over the barn before everyone starts to arrive. I got to give her her dues, she’s made the place look incredible. She’s still a little pissed at me because I wouldn’t let her do much of it herself, but I did put up myself and four bunkhouse boys for her to boss around so she can’t complain.

“Most people don’t tell anyone else until they reach the end of the first trimester. A lot can go wrong,” she explains as she repositions the pumpkins on the display by the punchbowl.

“Nothin’s gonna go wrong, as long as you listen to me,” I grit the words through my teeth, taking the box full of jam jars that she’s attempting to move herself, out of her hands and giving her a look of warning.

“They’re not even heavy,” she argues.

“Oh, yeah, and I guess that step ladder I caught you trying to climb earlier wasn’t high either. I swear you're purposely trying to give me a heart attack.” I shake my head and place the box down on the table that she points toward.

“Now, why would I want to do that? You’d be no good to me in a hospital bed.” She gets that seductive look in her eyes asshe steps toward me and sits herself up on the table beside the boxes.

“You know half the town probably thinks you're pregnant anyway? They’ll assume it’s the reason we got engaged,” I point out, passing her the jam jars, one by one, so she can place a tealight inside it and lay them out.

“I know, I just want to keep it between us a little while longer. I still have to tell my parents and Mom still isn't talking to me.” It’s been three weeks since Maddison called her family to let them know she was okay. Of course, they tried hard to try and convince her to go back home but she held her own and explained her reasons for not going through with the wedding. She’s called them every Sunday since and her mother still refuses to come to the phone.

“You know you're not gonna be able to hide it for long, soon you're gonna have a cute, little bump to show off and the whole town is gonna know that you’re mine.” I place my hand over her stomach for what has to be the hundredth time today, she’s not showing yet, but it won’t be long. Settled deep inside her perfect, little body is a baby that is mine and I can’t wait until it decides to show itself to the world.

“You say that as if I’m ashamed of the fact I’m pregnant. That’s not the case.” She places her hand over mine and smiles as she looks down. “I just want to get past this first hurdle, then we can tell my parents and the whole town if you want to.”

“Boss, where do you want this sign to…” Carter cuts himself off when he catches us, and Maddison blushes as she quickly drops her hand and steps away from me.

“Just over there by the raffle table. Daphne says we can’t have a dance without one.” She smiles cheerily at him.

“People will be arriving soon and I have to get ready.” She kisses me before dashing off toward the house.

“Walk, don’t run!” I call after her, rolling my eyes and feeling my blood pressure soar.

“Is she okay?” Carter asks once he’s finished propping up the hand-painted sign by the table.

“She’s fine, why wouldn’t she be?” I snap at him.

“I don’t know, but you seem to be treating her like she’s made of glass, that stomach flu she had still hasn’t passed, and–”

“Alright, alright. I get it. She’s just fragile right now, okay? Don’t complicate things.”

“Whatever you say, boss.” He sure ain’t buying what I tell him as he makes his way out, no doubt to get ready for this dance himself.

“Place is looking good.” Sawyer passes him at the door, before dumping a crate of booze on the nearest table. “Looks like your girl’s got a real eye for this kinda shit.” He goes to light a cigarette and I snatch it from his mouth.

“No smokin’ in here,” I warn him.

“What ya talkin’ about?” He stares back at me as if I got a screw loose.

“I just don’t want anyone smokin’ in here, okay?”

“And why not?”

“Because it’s a fuckin’ barn, Sawyer, it’s a fire risk. You should know that we’re volunteer firefighters.” Jesus, why is everyone on my case today?

“Among other things.” He looks at me cleverly. “C’mon Jace, this is bull shit, you’ve always smoked in the barns and stables. All the boys do too.”

“Well, not tonight.” I break his cigarette in half and head out to help him unload the rest of the supplies.

“This place looks amazing.” Isabel Kelley is bouncing with excitement when she and the mayor arrive. Eli nods at me and when his eyes wander over to Maddison, I don’t like the way he looks her over. The skirt she’s wearing is far too short, those cowgirl boots she's got on are far too sexy and the shirt she has tied up around her ribs shows off her midriff. It’s times like this that I really wish she was showing, showing every man in this damn town who thinks they can look at her that she’s already been claimed.

“Ain’t my girl a genius?” I slide my hand around her hips to pull her closer, and when my hand naturally settles on her stomach, she side-eyes me.

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