Page 178 of Deacon

I always feel loved now. That has changed me, fundamentally rewiring my brain, healing my heart.

After he cleans me up, he arranges my pillows to support my stomach. I sigh in satisfaction as he starts absently rubbing my lower back. Satisfied silence falls.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me, sweetheart,” he says. “Just love me.”

That makes me smile in the dark. My eyelids are heavy. I’m always sleepy now, so it doesn’t take long to fall asleep. It’s staying asleep that gets me some nights. Most of the time, the baby starts kicking around three, and I have to get up to use the bathroom. Tonight, I’m grateful we both sleep soundly.

I’m more rested than usual when I get up the next morning. Deacon is already gone. My clothes are laid out. He chose a matching pair of panties and a new bra to accommodate me being pregnant. Slowly, I put it on and pull the dress he laid on the chair over it.

Downstairs, Ginny stands by the stove, frying up bacon. When I sit, she turns and offers me a smile. “You want some tea, honey?”

I nod. I’m incredibly grateful to have her right now, especially as I get closer to my due date. I’d always assumed that when I had a family, I wouldn’t have any women to help me. But now, I find myself with one of the kindest women I’ve ever met helping me out every day, even when she’s off the clock. Tracy comes too, at least once a week, just to chat. That means a lot.

“How do you feel?” Ginny asks.

I clear my throat. “Alright. Just very pregnant. I’ve been having a lot of Braxton Hicks. Everything goes tight and then relaxes.”

“I had a lot of those with my son,” she says. “My daughter, not so much.”

Somebody saunters down the steps. Bittern appears in the doorway. I take a second just to look at him. He’s freshly showered, more alert than I’ve ever seen him.

“Hey, Frey,” he says, circling the table and sinking down into a chair.

“How’d you sleep?” I ask.

He nods. “Real good. It’s quiet out here on the ranch. Where’s Deacon at? He need me to help with chores?”

“He’s got Andy and the other cowboys,” Ginny says, handing him a plate of bacon and eggs. “You eat.”

I pick up my tea and get to my feet, only to set the mug back down. Ginny is filling my plate, her back to me. Bittern stops mid-bite and looks up.

“You alright?” he asks.

I stare at the ground. There’s nothing on the floor, no gush of water, but it feels like…I’m peeing myself. Mortified, I tug my skirt to my knee and look for a wet spot.

“Honey, you okay?” Ginny sets the plate down.

“I don’t know. My water might have broken,” I say, blushing furiously. “It’s sort of…wet.”

Bittern shoots to his feet. “I’m getting Deacon.”

He disappears out the side door. Grateful he’s gone, I hitch my skirt up a little higher. That’s when something warm trickles down the inside of my thigh, followed by a few more drops that reach my ankle. I look up at Ginny, frightened.

“I think it’s time,” she says.

“Is that my water?” I whisper.

She nods. “Let’s get you laid down on the couch while Bittern gets Deacon.”

She gets me to the living room and tucks a towel between my thighs. I can tell she’s being calm on purpose so I won’t be frightened. I appreciate it, but I’m terrified. She pats my hand and goes down the hall. I hear boots on the porch, and Deacon’s comingaround the corner and at my side in a second. He kneels, looking up at me.

“You alright?” he asks.

I nod wordlessly.

“Any contractions?” His voice is steady. I cling to how calm he is.

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