Page 41 of Sweet Escape
“Yeah, actually. Now that you mention it, she’s been unusually affectionate lately, then there’s the hiding and pacing.”
“We’d better call the doc. Make Griff do the honors,” he says with a sly grin. “I know how much helovesher visits.”
Jax snorts and heads back outside to find his brother. Silence falls between us as I step closer to Wilder and Storm.
“You gonna be a mama, Stormy?” Wilder murmurs. “Been waitin’ a long time for this, huh, Pretty Girl?” He rests his forehead against hers, eyes closed as he continues to stroke her jaw. “My Liv’s gonna be a mama, too.”
My Liv.
My bottom lip trembles as his reverent words reach my ears, sinking into my chest where a deep-seated sense of detachment once existed. I can’t tell if it’s the pregnancy hormones or the man who can so easily unravel me with one simple touch. I swallow around the lump in my throat in an attempt to keep my emotions from spilling over. It’s not lost on me that I’m going to be tied to this man forever, and I’m finding I don’t much mind that thought.
Griffin’s enthusiastic curse interrupts the quiet moment, his thundering voice reverberating through the barn. “Angelina’s on her way over. Happy now?” he says, pinning Wilder with a glare, his hands fisted at his side.
“Very. You know she’s the only qualified vet in the area, Griff. You’re gonna have to get used to her being around now that Doctor Briggs has retired.”
“Like hell, I am,” he mutters, storming out of the barn in a huff of anger.
Wilder reaches for me, sliding our joined hands over Storm’s jaw. My chest tightens. I want to lean into him, rest my head on his shoulder, and soak up this moment together. Wilder and I aren’t together, and I can’t cross that line. It’s too soon after Jake’s betrayal to consider something like that.
A while later, a gorgeous woman with striking green eyes strides into the barn. Her dark brown tresses are tied in a low knot at the back of her head, and a green scrub top and jeans hug her ample curves. “Wilder.”
“Angie. This is my—Olivia.”
My Olivia.I know there was a pause in there, but my heart skips a beat all the same. It’s the second time in as many minutes he’s said something similar. We haven’t really defined what we are to each other, and despite the fact that neither of us is in a place to be in a relationship, it still ignites a fierce longing within me.
“Nice to meet you,” she says, a kind smile lighting up her face. “What’s going on with our girl here?” She approaches Storm with a medical bag in tow, reaching in to unlatch the gate. “You keeping a secret, Stormy?”
“Let’s give them some space.”
He takes me out to the paddock where Griffin has Emmy atop quite possibly the cutest golden pony I’ve ever seen, its light blonde mane blowing in the breeze. Emmy’s holding the reins like a pro while Griff guides them around in a circle. Her face lights up when she spots us, and she reaches up to wave at her dad.
Attentive as he is, Griffin immediately grabs onto her waist to keep her steady and slows the pony to a stop. “Woah, Em. You gotta keep your hands on the horn.”
He guides her over to the gate, and she all but throws herself at her dad, disembarking from the saddle with little grace. Wilder easily catches her. “Did you have a good nap?”
She nods and affectionately rubs her tiny hand over his beard. She looks at him like he’s her favorite person in the whole world, and he looks at her like sheishis world. They paint a beautiful picture—one I’m not sure I fit into.
“Sorry to interrupt.” It’s the vet. Angie, I think—I’m terrible with names. “I can confirm that Stormy is, in fact, pregnant. I’d say she’s about ten weeks along.”
Wilder and I glance at each other, holding back laughter. Apparently, Stormy was getting hers while I was getting mine.
“What’d I miss?” Angie asks, her gaze bouncing between me and Wilder.
Is she purposely avoiding looking at Griffin?
“Yeah, Wilder. Share with the class,” Griffin says, his voice steeped in amusement.
“Liv’s ten weeks pregnant today,” Wilder says, wrapping an arm around my waist, his hand resting on my still soft belly.
“Congratulations,” Angie says. “I’m happy for you, Wilder. Truly.”Angie’s brows draw together, and something unspoken passes between them as she squeezes his forearm. “I’d better get going. Old man Wilson’s got a donkey with pink eye.”
“Thanks for comin’ on short notice, Ang. Drive safe.”
“Anytime. It was nice meeting you, Olivia. Congratulations again.”
I smile softly, and she reciprocates, but it’s forced. When she’s out of sight, Wilder turns to me with that same sadness in his eyes—the one he thinks I can’t see.
He sighs. “Angie was Jess’s best friend.”
