Page 184 of Beneath the Mountain Sky
Killian nods and continues to lead me through the throngs of people until we reach his truck. He unlocks the door, then turns back to me, carefully unstrapping Niall, who shifts restlessly at the change of position, but immediately settles into his father’s arms.
His favorite place to be.
Mine, too.
The massive man, who intimidates so many, snuggles his son and kisses his cheek before he settles him in the car seat and secures him.
He turns back to me and closes the door gently.
Killian tugs me up against him, now nothing between us, and kisses me long and deep again. “Let’s go home, Mrs. McBride.”
KILLIAN
I grip the steering wheel to keep my trembling hands from being visible to Willow.
As we complete the drive and turn onto the property, she glances over at me for what must be the hundredth time during the long trek up the mountain, her lips twisting slightly. “Why do you look so nervous?”
Shit.
Apparently, I did a pretty crappy job of hiding it.
And I don’t even know why I am nervous.
Maybe because I’ve spent months on this gift for her, ensuring it was absolutely perfect. Maybe because I’m terrified that the surprise won’t be what she wants and that I’ll have to see disappointment on her face.
That’s one thing I can never stand—disappointing this woman.
I’ve done it far too much during my life, and now that we have our second chance, I won’t do anything to blow it.
Instead of saying any of that, I just force a smile. “I’m not nervous.”
She snort-laughs. “Yeah, okay.”
I can’t help but grin.
When you know each other as well as the two of us do, it’s hard to keep secrets. Hiding this from her over the last several months has been nearly impossible.
Only the help of Connor, Liam, and Raven has ensured she hasn’t stumbled upon my plans or the thing I’ve managed to keep hidden in my workshop, despite the fact that she comes out there almost every day.
I park the truck between the house and the barn and climb out, walking around to get her door and help her before I move to get Niall from his car seat.
He’s sound asleep.
His head cocked sideways, breaths floating from his tiny, perfect face.
And God, my heart beats faster just looking at him.
Even now, after all this time, I could stare at him forever, spend hours examining everything about him and memorizing every eyelash, every tiny line around his eyes and mouth, every freckle and hair on his head.
Willow wraps her arms around my waist and presses her face into the middle of my back. “Are you just going to stand there, staring at him?”
I grin as I unbuckle him and slowly lift him from the car seat, settling him against my chest.
She releases her hold on me and steps away, allowing me to turn and close the truck door. With a grin, she starts to head toward the house. But I catch her hand with my free one.
“No.” I incline my head toward the workshop. “This way.”
“Okaaaay…” The way she drags out the word gives away her confusion, but she turns to follow me that way instead of back to the cabin.
