Page 60 of Claimed By the Cowboys
“We had been trying for a year when I caught them cheating on me. Not once in all that time of trying did we have any luck getting pregnant—and believe me, we tried.”
I could see the grit of Clay’s teeth when I mentioned “trying” with Pack Adamar. I didn’t need to elaborate about the nature of myattemptswith Lance or the others any further.
“When I came to Blackwood Ranch, I was all but certain that I would never have a child of my own.” I blinked away a tear or two, pressing on as my chest filled with the warmth of joy.
“It’s one of the reasons I love Maisie so much, that I cared for her right away. I recognized in her the beautiful daughter I never thought I’d have, that I had always desperately wanted.” I smiled through my tears.
“Only goes to show, you were never the problem, sunshine,” Montana crooned, cupping one of my cheeks in his hand. I let myself reach up to place my hand over his, and he brought my hand to his face, pressing his lips to my knuckles in a gentle kiss.
“Monty’s right, proof is in that bun in the oven,” Dakota added pridefully.
“A snoozy year with those good-for-nothin’ city boys, but after a couple of months with us, BAM!” Zeke grinned like a madman, proudly rubbing the flat of his giant palm over my belly. “There was a problem, but it ain’t you—that’s for sure, Pipes.”
I couldn’t help the smirk that crept across my face.
“But what about Maisie?” I lay one hand over my heart, one over Zeke’s hand on my belly.
“Everyone’s been saying it; she’s going to be a good big sister.” Clay spoke slowly and clearly. “And she’s going to love having you as part of the pack—as her mother. We all agreed on that. We knew it when we decided to bite you in.” Clay delicately caressed the bite marks he’d left at my throat. “Of course Maisie’s gonna be okay.”
“You promise?” My lower lip wobbled as I looked into Clay’s warm hazel eyes.
“I promise. Me and the boys are gonna help get you comfortable, and then we can figure out how to share the news, okay?” he soothed, tucking a lock of my hair back from my face, behind my ear.
I was about to launch myself into Clay’s arms, when suddenly, the patter of tiny feet sounded from down the hall. Maisie was flying down the hall, undoubtedly looking for all of us after waking from her own nap.
“Found you!” Maisie squealed with delight as soon as she appeared in the doorway to the makeshift nest, her pink pony princess doll tucked under her arm.
“You found us! Good job!” I shouted happily, patting a place in the pillows beside me.
Maisie wasted no time, running for the bed, stretching her arms out like an airplane, and mimicking the sounds she’d heard Zeke make when he zoomed her through the air.
“Maisie Rae—landing now!” She giggled as she launched herself into the tangle of blankets, pillows, and parents.
All of us laughed as she flopped down, wriggling underneath a pale green blanket until she appeared from beneath the sage covering of fuzz between Clay and me.
“I want meatballs and sketti for dinner again,” she announced her request for dinner, à propos of nothing, as four-year-olds so often do.
“Is that so?” Clayton raised his brows, surprised by Maisie’s interest in this new food.
“Yes.” Maisie nodded before adding, “Please!”
All at once, I was overwhelmed by my affection for her. Scooping her up into my arms, I kissed the crown of her head.
“Of course, Maisie Rae—we can have spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, especially since you askedso nicely. If you like, you can even help me make the garlic bread!”
The smile on her little face really did let me know that everything was going to be even better than okay.
Chapter 29
Dakota
“Can we go home yet?” I whined as we funneled even more heifers into the barn.
Montana shook his head, running a hand over his hair as he surveyed the herd in front of us. “This is the last batch to vaccinate, then we can head back.”
“Don’t you hate being away from her?” I asked. Ever since Piper had come crashing into our lives, leaving the house every day was getting harder and harder. I just wanted to spend all my time with our girls.
“I’ll take care of these last few if you want to go to the house,” Montana offered.
