Page 54 of Samuel

“You don’t believe me that I’ve forgiven you. I’m going to show you that I have.”

Her lips pressed against his. She felt his hands thread through her hair as he took control. He opened to her as her fingers scratched down his neck and shoulders.

Her belly pressed firmly against his stomach, and Jellybean picked that exact moment to let them both know she was awake. Sam broke away from this kiss, his eyes wide as he looked down at her bump.

“Was that…”

“My daughter, interrupting the moment? Yes.” Evie laughed.

His hand hovered above her shirt. “Can I feel her moving again? Would that be okay?”

She grabbed his hand and placed it over where she’d last felt Jellybean roll. “Of course. Here.”

They waited for a moment, eyes locked together, until the baby gave another strong kick.

“I think she approves of the pickles,” Sam joked.

“I think so, too.”

Fifteen

“Have you found anything else about the missing money?” Abby asked as Evie followed her out of the storage room.

“No. I wish I had some answers for Sam, especially with what happened to the herd. He seems so stressed and I feel terrible because I’m supposed to be here taking things off his shoulders.”

Abby and Daisy had stopped over after lunch to chat, and neither of them would let her carry a box from the storage room. Instead, she was getting in some cuddles with Sunny, whose head was laying on Evie’s shoulder as she swayed back and forth.

“Evie, somehow, someone is stealing from the ranch. I know Sam is grateful that you found it. Even if it is stressful right now. You’ll figure it out. And we’re all here to help in any way we can.” Daisy patted her arm before picking up her own box.

“Do you think Seb has a forensic accountant who would help? Don’t all big businesses have something like that?” Abby asked.

“Sam wants to keep things quiet, for now.” Evie admitted.

“Why? We could just get to the bottom of things and figure out where the problem is.”

She bit her lip, guilt churning in her stomach. “It’s because of me.”

Both women gave her questioning looks.

“Let’s go sit in the office.”

She led the way, with Sunny smiling lazily in her arms. God, it felt incredible to hold her, and Evie knew that before she could blink, Jellybean would be the same size in her arms.

“Alright, sit and spill.”

Evie didn’t sit. She felt too jittery, knowing the history she was going to have to rehash all over again.

“At my last job, I was accused of stealing from the office I worked for.”

Abby’s jaw dropped.

“There was a huge investigation. I had to spend all of my savings on lawyers who helped clear my name.”

“And this was when you were pregnant?” Daisy asked.

“Yes.” Evie set her forehead down into her hands. “My former boss found out I was pregnant and then I was somehow being accused. It was horrific to go through. I told Sam about it all as soon as I discovered the first discrepancy. The thing is, the timing is so strange. The first withdrawal that doesn’t make sense was the week I started here. And then the herd was…” she swallowed roughly, thinking about Lemon and her calf. “The herd was attacked. It feels like we are missing something huge here, but I just can’t figure it out. I’m letting Sam down.”

“You’re not. This isn’t just on your shoulders to figure out. The two things might not even be related.”

---