Page 37 of The Rancher's Pregnancy Surprise

I have promised you that even before you were born, and I always keep My promises.

I don't know what to do, God.

You only think you don't.

But you do.

Just like how you knew from the start what to do...when your parents asked you to abort your own daughter.

EVERYONE LOOKS SO HAPPYand relieved to see me come out of my cave the next day, and Story even starts fighting back tears when I say yes to joining them in tonight's festivities. The royal family will be camping in the desert, and over a hundred of the palace's most loyal officials have been invited to join them.

"Never make me worry like that again," my friend grumbles later on as she helps me put on a contemporary spin on theabaya,with a deep V neckline, flowing sleeves of semi-sheer fabric, and an empire cut to conceal the roundness of my belly.

"I can't make any promises," I say solemnly, "but I promise to pray for that for all of our sakes."

Story only grunts, and the sound so un-princess-like that it has both Ellana and me bursting into laughter.

"All done," Story announces as she takes a step back, and her daughter lets out a gasp as her wide-eyed gaze swings back and forth between me and my reflection.

"Ethereal!"

This time, it's Story and me who are laughing. Ellana and her unbelievable vocabulary strike again, and the memory is enough to put me in a good mood for the rest of the evening. I'm constantly lost in my thoughts, and I just feel like I've been away from God for so, so long that I just can't stop talking to Him in my mind.

Ellana is so cute, God!

Is it okay for me to pray that my daughter be just as cute?

Wait. Does that make me vain?

I've changed my mind. Is it okay for me to pray that my baby girl be just as smart?

No, wait. I just remembered what Solomon prayed for.

I want her to be wise instead. But not too wise that she's never going to listen to me.

Or is that too selfish to ask?

The thoughts run endlessly at the back of my mind as I find myself once again facing an impossible challenge.

Which of these deliciously baked nougats should I eat first?

"Anything I can help you with?"

The voice comes out of nowhere.

Quiet with a hint of unsteadiness.

A lot rougher than it should be.

And so, so heartbreakingly familiar.

A shadow falls over the table as I feel the heat of his virile presence envelop me. He's standing right behind me, but I can't make myself face him just yet.

"I miss you."

My eyes squeeze shut—-

"I tried my damnedest to stay away because I thought it's what you deserved."

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