Page 100 of Love and Memories

Considering his family situation, she’d expected that answer. “Well, what about someone we know?”

Travis thought for a few seconds as he stared at the road ahead. “What about Anna?”

Bingo. “I was thinking about Anna too. What do you think of the name Ariana?”

“Ariana,” Travis said slowly. “I love that. It’s not pronounced the same way as Anna, but it’s still similar.”

“You really like it? You’re not just saying that because I suggested it?”

“I really like it. In fact, I think it’s perfect. I could see you with a little Ariana.”

That settled it. She’d been thinking the same thing about him. She’d even imagined him saying the name, and somehow, it was even better in real life. “What about a middle name?”she asked, trying and failing to stop the fidgeting from her excitement.

“What about your middle name? Lauren.”

“Ariana Lauren.” It was a simple middle name to go with a unique first name. “I never thought about using mine. I’m surprised you remembered it.”

Travis slid his fingers between hers until they locked into place. “It’s tough to forget anything about you.”

The excitement she’d been riding all night came crashing down in the dark cab on the drive to Silver Falls Ranch. She woke to Travis whispering beside her.

“Stay right there. I’ll carry you in.”

Bella lifted her head from the cold window and blinked through her blurred vision. “What?”

Travis opened her door a moment later and slid his hands behind her back and knees.

“What are you doing? I can walk.”

“Yeah, but you don’t have to,” Travis whispered low as he pulled her to his chest as if she weighed no more than a grocery bag.

Bella rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m too tired to argue with you.”

“That’s my girl.” He kicked the truck door closed and carried her up onto the porch.

Bella rose up when they reached the door and pulled the key out of her pocket. “Making a romantic entrance is tough when you have fifteen locks on your front door.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Travis said, completely unapologetic for going overboard with the security system.

She held on as he gently lowered her to the couch and pulled her shoes off. Sinking into the plush pillows, she let out a relaxed sigh. “This is so comfortable.”

“It really is. Sleeping on the couch never felt so good,” Travis said as he leaned over her and kissed her forehead.

“I’m so sorry you don’t have a bed. You know, we could share the bed.”

Travis sat beside her and rested his arm across the back of the couch. “Don’t tempt me.”

Bella covered her eyes with her hand. They’d discussed sharing the bed before, but Travis was adamant that they needed distance before they were married. Even the mention of marrying Travis had her fighting the urge to squeal like a little girl.

After being forced to sleep with a man she despised for years, the fact that Travis was careful to resist and be a good, God-fearing man only made her love him more. His dedication to stay true to his faith gave her the strength to do the same.

The baby moved inside her, and she reached for Travis’s hand. “She’s happy.”

She placed his hand over her belly and watched as his breaths came deeper. “Ariana, you have no idea how much you are loved,” he whispered.

The baby stretched again at the sound of his voice. “I think she likes it when you talk to her.”

Travis leaned down and rubbed his hand over the movement beneath her skin. “And you have the best mom in the world. Just wait until you meet her.”

---