Page 95 of Hero's Heart

It eased an anxiety she hadn’t even fully realized she’d been harboring. Some not-so-small, scared part of her had worried that Callum would be embarrassed or want to keep things quiet. But it was like he wanted to tell everyone in town that he was going to be a father.

Now, Sloane could hardly take two steps in the pub without a regular patron insisting she sit down while she took their order or hopping up to carry a heavy tray for her.

“So…” Joy sidled up beside Sloane as she came back to the drink station, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Did a certain handsome sheriff bring you breakfast again this morning, like he has been all week?”

“As a matter of fact, he did. Blueberry Danish from Fancy Pants and a green tea.”

Joy heaved another dramatic sigh, tossing the rag aside. “I can see what’s going to happen here. With you and Callum making googly eyes at each other—and my baseball bat obviously no longer needed—you’ll be back together in no time. And where does that leave me, huh? I won’t get to help raise this little munchkin after all!” She gestured toward Sloane’s belly with a pout.

Reaching out, Sloane grasped Joy’s hand, giving it a firm squeeze. “Hey, no matter what happens between Callum and me, you will always be this baby’s Auntie Joy. That’s a promise.”

Joy’s eyes glistened as she squeezed back. “You better mean that, missy.”

“Cross my heart.” Sloane traced an X over her chest, sealing the vow.

A familiar presence materialized behind her, and Sloane turned to find Callum standing there, concern etched into the lines of his face. “How are you feeling? Everything okay today?”

His gaze swept over her in that way she’d come to cherish, carefully assessing her well-being from head to toe. He took in her face for signs of fatigue, glanced at her belly as if to assure himself all was well, then checked her ankles for any swelling. The dual facets of his nature—the attentive sheriff and the devoted man—shone through in every look, every gesture.

“I’m good, I promise.” Sloane offered him a reassuring smile. “No sickness tonight, and it’s been pretty calm here.”

Callum’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, but the protective gleam never left his eyes. “You sure I can’t help with anything? Run food, bus tables?”

Warmth burst behind her ribs, filling her up inside. “I appreciate it, but I’m fine. Really.” She held his gaze, willing him to see the sincerity, the steadiness in her own.

“Okay, then do you mind coming with me? I need to show you something out back.”

Curiosity piqued, Sloane nodded and followed him into the kitchen, waving at Hudson as they passed. The cool evening air kissed her skin as they stepped outside, and she glanced around, expecting to see whatever it was Callum wanted to show her.

But there was nothing. Just the two of them, alone in the shadowed alley behind the Eagle’s Nest. Sloane turned to Callum, a query forming on her lips, but before she could utter a word, he captured her mouth with his own.

This was their first kiss since she’d left him, and it stole her breath, her thoughts, her very gravity.

Callum’s strong arms banded around her as he pressed her up against the weathered brick wall, his body a delicious weight against hers. Fire raced through her veins, and she melted into him, into the exquisite rightness of his touch.

God, how she’d missed this. Even knowing they needed the space between them for a while, she’d missed this.

When they finally broke apart, both panting, Callum rested his forehead against hers. “I know nothing has changed,” he rasped, his voice rough with emotion. “But I’m never going to want to stop kissing you, angel. Never.”

She exhaled shakily, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. “I don’t want you to stop.”

His eyes darkened, and he brushed his thumb across her kiss-swollen lips. “I want to show you something at my house on your next day off. Will you come?”

She smiled. “Is that a code for more kissing?”

A wicked grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I can’t make any promises that there won’t be more kissing.”

“Good. Because I’d been thinking about sneaking on to your property at night in order to get you to tackle me again.”

His eyes darkened in a way that made all the womanly parts of her stand up and take notice. “The only place I want to tackle you is in a bed. And while I want that just about more than I want my next breath, I would also like to take us on our first date.”

“Date?”

“Yes, real date. Where I pick you up and bring you flowers. We go to dinner and then maybe a movie. I get to hold your hand and, at the end of the night, steal a kiss.”

Laughter bubbled up inside her, bright and effervescent. “Aren’t we past that?”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “We’ll never be past that. I want to always romance you, even after the babyis born. We did a lot of things out of order, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to skip dating. Call me old-fashioned, but you deserved to be wooed.”

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