Page 14 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
"We could do something small but special," I suggest. "Nothing big, just... meaningful."
"Rosco, you don't have to?—"
"I want to." And I realize I mean it. "I want our wedding day to be something you remember fondly, not just a legal necessity."
Her eyes go soft, and I know I've said the right thing. "What did you have in mind?"
"Leave that to me. But first, coffee and breakfast. Our baby needs proper nutrition."
Our baby.The words feel more natural every time I say them. I can’t wait to be a father. This baby will have the best life. I'll love him, protect him, teach him to build things with his hands and treat people with respect.
And I'll make sure he never doubts for a second that he's wanted.
"Speaking of the baby," Gia says, settling into the chair across from me with her own plate. "We should probably talk about practical things. Like living arrangements, finances, what happens after he's born."
"What do you want to happen?"
"I want to stay here. With you. If you'll have us."
The simple honesty in her voice makes my chest tight. "Sweetheart, I'm not letting you go anywhere. This is your home now."
"Even if Zack makes trouble? Even if his lawyers come after you too?"
"Especially then." I lean forward, and take her hand in mine, once more ignoring the jolt of static energy running up my arm from the contact.. "I meant what I said yesterday. I'm not looking for temporary. I want it all with you. Marriage, family, growing old together on this mountain."
She stares at our joined hands for a long moment. "I'm not used to this. Being wanted. Being protected. It's going to take me some time to believe it's real."
"That's okay. We've got time." I lift her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "I'm not going anywhere."
My phone buzzes with a text from Noah, and I check it quickly.
Jordyn:
Family dinner tomorrow. Bring your mysterious houseguest. I’m making enough food for an army.
"What is it?"Gia asks.
"My cousin wants us to come to dinner tomorrow. Ready to meet the family?"
"All of them?" There's panic in her voice. "Rosco, I'm not ready for that. What if they hate me? What if they think I'm just using you?"
"They're going to love you." I'm absolutely certain of this. "And if anyone has a problem with you being here, they'll answer to me."
"But what if?—"
"Hey." I squeeze her hand. "Trust me. The Kane family has a thing about taking in good people. You'll fit right in."
"But they won’t know if I’m good people after one dinner."
"One dinner will be plenty. You're the woman I'm going to marry. The mother of my child. My family." I pause, then add with a grin, "Though Jordyn is definitely going to interrogate you. Fair warning."
"Your cousin?"
"Yep, my uncle's daughter, but she's more like a little sister. Married to Silas, the lawyer I told you about. She's also a journalist, so she has this annoying habit of asking pointed questions."
"Great. So I get to explain to a journalist why I showed up on your doorstep six months pregnant and claiming you're the father."
"You don't have to explain anything to anyone. But if it helps, Jordyn showed up in town last year with questions, and found answers she never even dreamed of. She'll understand better than most."
