Page 45 of Claimed By the Cowboy
Tom chuckles, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Henry swears your sister knows more about trimester diets than their doctor does.”
I shake my head, fondness welling up in my chest. “That’s Delaney. She’s been protecting me my whole life. Now that I don’t need her watching me every second, she’s found someoneelse to fuss over.”
“Can’t believe Henry’s gonna be a father in a few months.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “Jesus, I’ll be an uncle.”
“And I’ll be an Aunty.” I brighten at the thought. “Shay is glowing. I can’t wait to meet the baby.”
“Neither can Henry. He’s walking around like he invented fatherhood.” Tom chuckles. Then his eyes dip to mine, his expression softening. “Makes you think, doesn’t it?”
Heat prickles my cheeks. “About babies?”
He brushes his thumb across my lower lip. “Don’t panic, darlin’. I’m not in a rush. I want time with you. Time for us to figure each other out, to enjoy this.”
Relief and tenderness bloom in my chest. “That’s exactly what I want too. Although”—I bite my lip—“we could’ve already made a baby. We haven’t exactly been careful. Maybe that’s why I’ve been feeling off?”
Tom frowns. “Isn’t it too early to be having symptoms?”
I shrug. “It’s unlikely.”
“Make an appointment with the doctor,” he says firmly, no mistaking the seriousness in his eyes.
I nod slowly. “I will. But Tom… if I were, if it’s happened sooner than we expected?—”
“Then we’ll handle it. As long as we’re together, I don’t care if it’s now, a year from now, or ten years down the road.”
Emotion swells in my chest, and I blink fast against the sting in my eyes.“If I’m not, I should probably find out about birth control.”
Tom studies me. “If that’s what you want, we’ll do it. But if you don’t want to go that route”—he shrugs—“I’ll wrap it. You call the shots when it comes to your body.”
Emotion thickens my throat. “I’ll call the doctor’s office tomorrow.”
“Good.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Whatever keeps you happy, healthy, and still climbing me like a tree at night, I’m on board.”
I chuckle and snuggle closer. “I’d love lots of kids with you when we’re ready.This ranch needs children running around and learning to love this land.”
Something fierce rises in my chest as I imagine little cowboys and cowgirls with Tom’s blue eyes and dark hair.
“How many is lots?”
“At least three,” I say without hesitation. “Maybe four. This place is too big for one or two. I want them to grow up healthy, with strong lungs and rosy cheeks from mountain air. I want them to run and play without ever worrying about breathing.”
“They will,” he promises, bringing my hand to his lips. “Our children will have everything—health, love, this land, family who will always protect them.”
“And goats for playmates?” I tease.
Tom chuckles. “That too.”
I sigh happily, pressing my face to his shoulder. “Perfect.”
A thought stirs in me, one I’ve been too shy to say out loud, but now feels like the right time to share it. “And maybe I could… study something.”
His eyebrows lift, curious. “Study?”
I nod, heart thumping. “Plants. Herbs. Everything Ruth grew. I’ve been reading her notes, and I… I love it. I want to learn. Make something of it—soap, lotion, teas, even candles. Goat’s milk and herbs, all natural. I can picture it: shelves of jars and bars, things that heal and comfort, things I made.” I bite my lip, suddenly self-conscious. “Does that sound silly?”
Tom tips my chin up with one finger, his smile slow and certain. “Darlin’, that sounds like the best damn idea I’ve ever heard. You’d be brilliant at it. And you know I’ll be first in line to brag about my wife’s miracle soaps.”
“Miracle?” I laugh, the knot of nerves easing.
