Page 136 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bargain

That’s probably true at this point.

Over the last several years since Hope was born, he and Pops have spent countless hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars ensuring our safety, making sure we have electronic eyes and ears covering as much of the property as possible.

He’s made sure it’s safe for me and the kids to relax here, to live, and to justbein a way I could never find anywhere else.

“I wanted you to see this because it’s so rare that it happens this early in the year, and I know things have been a little rough lately…”

I let out a huffed laugh.

They definitely have been that, though. It has absolutely nothing to do with Dalton or the kids or this beautiful life we’ve built together.

His hands settle splayed across my still-flat stomach protectively.

“I’m too old to be having another baby, Dalton.”

He laughs, the sound making his chest vibrate against my back. “You are not too old. You don’t even turn forty for another few weeks.”

I turn my head and scowl at him. “Thanks for the reminder.”

“I knew I was getting myself a beautiful cougar when I locked you down…”

The humor and love in his voice help melt away those concerns that have been plaguing me as much as the morning sickness has.

I relax into him, and he kisses my cheek.

“This isn’t the full surprise.”

He releases me, slips out from behind, takes my hand, and leads me farther into the meadow and the wildflowers. “How long do you think Pops can manage those two alone?”

My laugh floats across the open space, the mountain accepting the sound as part of what just naturally belongs here. “Two hours tops.”

It took us forty-five minutes to hike over here, and it will be the same going back, which means we don’t have a lot of time for whatever Dalton has planned.

That playful grin pulls at his lips as he leads me toward the center, where some of the flowers are depressed to the ground. “That gives us time.”

“Time for what?”

I look down to find a plaid blanket spread with a small picnic basket settled on the corner. “How did you…”

Dalton smirks. “This morning.”

“You weren’t out in the barn?”

He shakes his head. “No, I was not.”

My gaze drifts to the basket. “What exactly do you have in there?”

The morning sickness has finally calmed down for the day—and hopefully won’t be returning later—and I’m actually hungry for the first time in what feels like months.

He grins. “Well…”

Slowly kneeling on the blanket, he pulls me down, facing him, his chest brushing mine. He takes my face between his palms and kisses me deeply.

The sweet, reverent brush of his lips draws a groan from my throat, and I tug at the sides of his open shirt to keep him close.

My body responds instantly.

The goddamn pregnancy hormones again.

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