Page 92 of The Hardest Part

Everything she ever wanted and dared to dream of was right here.

“I feel it in my bones.” Stroking his cheek, Emily smiled. “And I love you both.”

I always have and I always will.

Billy led Airdrie’s Christmas filly around the paddock. He and Tanner had been loving on her, physically holding her, and petting her all over from day one, so she was comfortable with human touch. Now, almost nine months old, Noëlle was a trainer’s dream. Smart and sweet, she already knew some commands.

“Whoa.” She stopped.

“Walk.” She went.

They wouldn’t start groundwork until she was a yearling, though.

Since Arien had the babies, Tanner left more responsibilities with him. He figured that was to be expected. When the time ever came, Billy wouldn’t want to be away from Emily and his child for too long, either.

Kellan and Tanner took turns. Unless Grams, Miss Kim, or Matthew were up at the house, one of them was always with her.

Billy understood that, too. No one ever mentioned it, but despite Justin’s sound logic, Jacoby’s empty grave left some folks wondering.

He didn’t believe it was possible, though. There’s no way anyone could have survived that fall. Besides, the dream never came to him again. But better safe than sorry, he supposed.

Given time, Jacoby, the man, would be forgotten. Reduced to nothing more than a ghost story told around the campfire. Billy chuckled. The old loon probably would’ve liked that.

Instead of opening the gate like a normal person, Tanner hopped the paddock fence. “What’s so funny, Billy boy?”

He stifled a smirk. “Uh, just thinkin’.”

“How’s our little lady here doin’?” Tanner asked. Offering her pieces of apple, he patted the filly’s flank.

“Good,” Billy said with a nod. “I was just gonna take her in and rub her down.”

“I’ll do it.” And lifting his chin, he grinned. “You should go on home and see Ems, get busy makin’ Harper and Cayden a little cousin or somethin’.”

“Maybe we already have.”

“Yeah?”

“Well, I’m hopin’ so.” He shrugged. “She ain’t said nothin’ yet.”

It’s not like Billy had any real reason to suspect Emily might be pregnant, except they’d been married nearly four months now. Chrissakes, how long does it take? Between him and his brother, one or the other, if not both of them, was always there loving on her. The cattle round-ups were starting up again soon. Then, sorting and fall market. Days and nights spent away from her. They’d have to wait again.

“I see you, and I know what you’re thinkin’.” Tanner did that thing where he pointed to Billy’s eyes, then his own. And he winked. “That homecoming will be somethin’ else, trust me. Of all people, you should know, it’s the waitin’ that makes everything so fucking worth it.”

Yeah, he knew.

“You’ll be all right.”

He would, because Emily would be there waiting for him.

“I know.”

Taking the lead from his hand, Tanner clapped his shoulder. “Now, go. Get on home to your wife.”

Billy found her out on the back patio. Eyes closed, a textbook resting open on her chest. But it didn’t look like she was sleeping.

“Hey.” He kissed her brow and her beautiful green eyes opened. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Enjoying the sun.” Emily sat up, tossing her book onto the table. “This could be one of the last warm days we’ve got left.”

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