Page 28 of One Hot Summer

Kelsie

Three years later…

The porch creaks beneath my feet as I step out, my hand instinctively cradling the swell of my belly. My gaze drifts towards the barn, where I know Carson is tending to the horses. I make my way down the porch steps, my feet carrying me towards the barn almost of their own accord. Peering through the open barn door, I catch sight of Carson. His back is to me, his broad shoulders moving with practiced ease as he brushes down one of the mares. The muscles in his arms ripple beneath his shirt.

“Good morning, cowboy,” I call, not wanting to startle him or the horses.

Carson turns, his piercing blue eyes lighting up as they meet mine. “Mornin', beautiful. You're up early.”

I shrug, stepping further into the barn. “Your daughter seems to think dawn is the perfect time for acrobatics.”

Carson chuckles, setting down the brush and crossing the distance between us in a few long strides. His calloused handscome to rest on my belly, and I feel our baby girl respond to her father's touch with a series of excited kicks.

“That's my girl.”

As I gaze up at Carson. The man before me is a far cry from the guarded, hesitant cowboy from three years ago. Time has softened his edges, just as it has helped heal my own wounded heart.

“What are you thinking about?” Carson asks, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my belly.

I lean into him. “Just how lucky I am. How lucky we all are.”

Carson's arms tighten around me. This is home, this is family, this is love.

A blur of movement catches my eye, and I turn to see Collin bounding across the meadow, his dark hair tousled by the breeze. At ten years old, he is all gangly limbs and boundless energy, his bright blue eyes sparkling as he runs toward me. In his hands, he clutches a small bouquet of wildflowers.

“Mom! Mom!” he calls out, his laughter ringing through the air. “Look what I found for you!”

My heart swells, this boy who has become as much my son as if I've carried him beneath my heart. “Oh, sweetheart, they're beautiful.”

Collin skids to a stop before me, thrusting the flowers towards me with a proud grin. “I picked them myself. Do you like them?”

I reach out to accept the bouquet. “I love them. And I love you.”

As I hold him close, I marvel at how perfectly he fit in my arms, even as he grows taller with each passing day. I whisper against his hair, “Thank you, Collin. You make everyday brighter.”

He pulls back, his eyes searching mine. “Even brighter than the baby?”

I cup his face in my hands, struck by how much he looks like Carson in that moment. “Oh, sweetheart,” I say, “you and this baby are like the sun and the moon. You both light up my world in different, but equally important ways. My love for you will never change.”

Collin's face breaks into a wide smile, and he throws his arms around me once more. As I hold him close, our unborn daughter stirs within me, as if acknowledging her brother's presence. This is the happiness I have always dreamed of but never dared to hope for.

“Let’s get inside. It’s time we start thinking about breakfast.”

The creak of the screen door a few minutes later lets us know of Carson's arrival.

“My two favorite people,” he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through his chest.

“Three,” I correct, placing a hand on my swollen belly.

Carson's eyes crinkle with joy as he covered my hand with his own. “Three.”

“I don't know about you two,” Collin pipes up, breaking the spell, “but I'm starving!”

Carson chuckled, ruffling Collin's hair. “Well, we can't have that, can we? Let's get some breakfast in you, champ.”

He takes over the kitchen, demanding that Collin and I let him cook breakfast today. I love to watch him.

“Mmm,” I hum. “Carson, you've outdone yourself.”

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