Page 102 of Winters Heat

“Yes,” she said on an escaping breath. Too quiet. Too easy.

“Say it. Right now. I need you to tell me.”

Mouth agape and unsteady on her feet, she remained mum. This was a bad idea. Soon as she said it, she wouldn’t be able to stop saying it.

“You have to say something, doll. Might as well tell me whatever the truth is.”

She took a long, deep breath. The truth. She loved him more than any woman should love a man. Her mind traveled at warp speed. Words jumbled in her brain. So many things wanted to come out at once that she couldn’t get them in order.

He stiffened and turned away. “Got it. Never mind. I’ll just slide my ass out of here.”

His boots clunked hard on her floor, heading toward the front door. What was happening? Wait, no. This was all wrong.

“Colby, stop.”

He did, but didn’t turn. Instead, he leaned against the wall.

She couldn’t breathe. Her mind was swimming. There was a very plausible possibility she might pass out. It was too much to take in. “I’m not losing you again.”

He pivoted a slow turn toward her but stayed put.

“Idolove you. I love you so much it hurts, and I can’t breathe.”

He was on her in a second, pressing her against the wall, his hot mouth possessing hers. He pulled back.

“Doll, don’t ever take that long to say I love you again.” Then he leaned into her again, brushing his lips over her neck.

“I love you, Colby.”

He smiled. She couldn’t see it, but she could feel his cheek and lips pressed against her skin. “So you do need to pack.”

“I do?”

“You do. You’re coming home with me.”

“I love you.”

“You’re answering every question like that?” Genuine adoration poured off him, making her all the more certain she would.

She nodded, smiling and laughing.

“That’ll work.” He pulled her toward the front door. “Didn’t you once say something about wanting a dog?”

Now a bigger smile. “I love you.”

“Then a dog it is.”

EPILOGUE

The sun set on the lake. Mia leaned on her elbows and dangled her feet off the dock. Their dog ran rampant, in and out of the lake water, splashing and spraying Colby and Clara. He walked in a shallow section, the water lapping at his thighs, and Clara kicked on her daddy’s shoulder. Every time he dipped her legs into the water, she flapped her arms and squealed for more.

The gold band on Mia’s left ring finger felt less and less foreign. They’d gotten married in a small ceremony, with some family and several friends, in Colby’s backyard.Theirbackyard,theirhome. He reminded her anytime she misspoke.

Family. The word once sent shudders of sick dread sweeping over her skin. But now, her family was lounging at the lake. Hergrowingfamily.

Mia had a feeling but didn’t want to admit it until she took the test. She swung by the store, picked up two boxes and two bottles of water, hiding them in the cart, not even wanting to look at them for fear of jinxing her hopes. She chugged the water on the way home and ran to the bathroom. Two tests later, it was as official as a home pregnancy test could get, and she couldn’t stop beaming. They were pregnant.

Colby would be just as excited. She had wanted to wait until tonight in bed, when he held her close, but the lone excitement was unbearable.

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