Page 51 of Cold Foot Croc

She paused at the door, stunned, taking it all in.

There was an enormous sign taped to the back wall that readCongratulations! Raynah has a wiener.

“Cash, are you serious?” Katrina growled. “That’s the sign you picked? You had one job!”

“What?” Cash asked innocently. “Technically Raynah does have a wiener right now.”

Katrina shoved his head hard, and Cash was cackling laughter as Raynah giggled. Cash had commissioned an eggplant emoji at the end of the sign, and as she looked around at the long table by a stone fireplace, she saw that there were little eggplant figurines everywhere. Even the cake in the corner had one on it.

She laughed harder. These boys were so stupid.

“Sorry,” Timber called from where she and Sasha were setting plasticware by plates on the long table. “We gave them simple directions.”

“Yeah, and we achieved them,” Kade said, eating a baby carrot off a veggie tray.

“I’ve got the baby-bottle shots,” King announced from behind them, and when Raynah turned around, King was taking up the entire double-door area with his massive shoulders. He held a tray of plastic baby bottles full of what looked suspiciously like whiskey.

That part made her laugh, but then something caught her eye and the smile fell slowly from her lips at the shock.

As King came into the room, another giant followed him in. A teal-eyed, slow-smiling man who hadn’t been texting her back much today. Behind Garret was Wreck, looking hella comfortable. His eyes weren’t even bright or fiery.

King held the tray of drinks one-handed, and patted Raynah on the head. “You look pregnant today.”

“Thanks,” she muttered.

Wreck moved around Garret and gave her a side-hug, then winked. “He’s all right.” And then the Alpha of the Cold Foot Crew meandered off toward the others, who were clearly giving her and Garret some space to say hello. Katrina’s eyes were all full again, and Timber and Sasha were watching her with these matching soft smiles painted on their lips.

This baby shower took on a whole new meaning in an instant.

These people were telling her it was okay to have Garret here with them. They had planned this wacky, funny, baby-shower adventure, and were surprising her with Garret.

The baby moved in her stomach as she melted into Garret’s arms and buried her face against his chest.

“Hey, pretty girl,” he rumbled against her temple. His arms were so strong around her.

“Best surprise ever,” she told him.

“Yeah?”

She eased back, looked up at him, and nodded. “Hell yeah.”

And then right there, in front of her entire Crew, he leaned down like it was nothing and kissed her right on the lips.

“You didn’t text me back all day. I was afraid something was wrong.”

“Mmm. I had to pick up an order of eggplant balloons from Missoula, and then I was afraid if I called you I would give away the surprise.”

“Oh my gosh, you were involved in decorating this place?” she asked through a laugh.

He looked down at her belly and rested his hand there, right over the movement. “You’re wearing the dress I like from Murdoch’s.”

“I bought it this morning. I was going to take a bunch of selfies in it for you, but I feel like a heifer today.”

“You’re beautiful. Favorite dress ever.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’m going to need those selfies later. I can take them, though.”

Her cheeks heated, and she had to compose herself for a few seconds as he patted her gently on the butt and led her toward the others. “Come on. Let’s go celebrate little Billy-Jack.”

She laughed and shook her head. “You and that name.”

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