Page 104 of Samuel

“Settle down, little one. Let your mama eat her meal in peace.”

Her hand settled over his. “Thank you. Your voice seems to be the only one she listens to lately.”

Sam’s cheeks flushed when he looked up, his mother and sister not hiding the way they were staring at him.

“It’s probably because I’ve been reading to her.”

“What? When?”

“Usually right after you swear you’ll stay awake for whatever movie you put on the TV and then promptly fall asleep against my shoulder,” he teased. “I’m starting Jellybean out early on all my favorite books from when I was a kid.”

“I didn’t know that’s what you wanted the books for,” Sylvie smiled at her son.

“You’ve been reading her actual books from your childhood while I’ve been completely oblivious and passed out at night?”

“Passed out and drooling on me,” Sam chuckled. A sharp elbow dug into his side.

“I do not drool.”

“Whatever you say, Bluebell. Now, eat your solstice saladbefore it gets warm.” Sam picked up his fork in his left hand, clumsily maneuvering the food to his mouth, while his other hand stayed right on Evie’s belly. His little girl was finally settling down, and an itch of emotion in the back of his throat had the quinoa going down rougher than it normally did all on its own.

“Mom, you have to stop making this. It’s gross.”

“Sam!”

“What? Don’t eat it, Evie. You’ll never survive the heartburn.”

“I’ll have you know that quinoa is wonderful for you and after?—”

“I’m fine, Mom. You know the doctor has reassured me of that a million times over the last few months. There’s no reason why we can’t go back to having steak and potatoes, like God intended.”

“Good luck convincing any of the women here at this table to let you go back to eating like that, Cowboy. You’re too important to us all.” Evie smiled as she threaded her fingers through the hand resting on her belly. She leaned over, her lips almost brushing his cheek. “She’s asleep. You don’t have to keep struggling with your fork in the wrong hand.”

He loved the way her skin flushed as she pulled away from him. She was sun kissed from the afternoon spent outside .

“Don’t care, Bluebell. I never want to let my girls go.”

“So, how was your first summer solstice with Sylvie experience?” Sam handed Evie a glass of water across the counter. They’d finished up the night with a quick walk around the closest field before heading back up to her apartment.

She laughed, rolling her shirt up over her belly andgesturing to the handprints painted on her skin. “It’s certainly something I’ll never forget. Abby and Katy were so cute together. Gives me a glimpse into what life with Jellybean is going to be like one day. I’m sure we all looked silly out there, but it was so much fun.”

“You didn’t look silly.” He took her hand and walked with her into the bedroom, helping her sit at the bottom of the bed. Sam reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You looked fucking beautiful. It was like the goddess of fertility herself was dancing in my fields. The way the sunlight came through your hair and sparkled through the dust you spun up with your twirls is something I’ll never forget, Bluebell. I was a second away from losing all control before Derrick and Zeke came up and interrupted my thoughts.”

Her tongue darted out as she licked her lips.

“Oh, I forgot my water. Can you grab it for me before we get busy?” she winked before pulling her shirt over her head.

“No problem.”

Sam walked to the kitchen, spotting the glass of water right next to his hat. He leaned back, peeking into the bedroom. Evie was already laying down on the bed, tucked on her side. He had a sneaking suspicion that by the time he made it back, she’d be fast asleep.

It had been setting in for a while, but there was no doubt in his mind Evie and her baby were meant to be his. Forever.

He felt peaceful knowing what he was about to do. Sam snatched his hat off the counter and made his way to the stove. Grabbing a knife, he turned on the gas burner. And in that small kitchen, he branded the two most precious names he knew into his hat.

Setting his hat next to the door, Sam made his way back into the bedroom with Evie’s water. He put the glass down on her nightstand and made his way over to the dresser to change.Sam slid into bed only a minute later, smiling as Evie’s soft snores filled the room.

He watched as a little foot pressed out against her skin.

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