Page 55 of Long Past Dawn

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Ahead I noticed flames shooting into the sky, so I urged Black Beauty forward toward the gathering around the fire. I could make out all my favorite people sitting around it, laughing and drinking. Soon, Cece would bring out a platter of bison burgers, and we’d laugh, eat, and smile the way we had for the last few weeks. A week ago, we all went to the courthouse and stood next to Beau while the McAwleys finally adopted the man they’d loved like a son since he was a boy. It was a day to celebrate, and he had changed his name to Beau Hanson-McAwley as a tribute to the woman who started to raise him and the people who finished the job.

I reached the outskirts of the fire and dismounted, hooking the reins to the old-fashioned hitching post by the porch before I joined everyone around the fire.

Beau kissed my cheek and wrapped his arms around me as soon as I reached him. “Did you see the red dogs?”

I gazed up at him and smiled. “I did. They’re my favorite part of living here. Not many out there yet. How many are you expecting?”

“Could be fifty more,” Blaze said from the other side of the fire. “It’s not an exact science when the herd is allowed to roam. I’m hoping for upwards of seventy-five, but I’d be happy with fifty.”

Cece came out with the promised burgers just as I sat down, which we promptly made disappear. The darkness had gathered while we ate, and once the burgers were gone, we relaxed back in our chairs to watch the fire and discuss the day.

“Beautiful night out tonight,” I said, leaning my head on Beau’s shoulder. “I can’t wait for summer nights with our guests around the fire and laughter in the air. Bison Ridge has become one big extended family, and it makes my heart happy to be part of it.”

Blaze smiled and nodded, his eyes only for his new bride. “Heaven and I agree. To that end, we wanted to tell you all that we’re going to be adding to that family.”

Heaven gazed at him for a moment before she spoke. “I’m having a baby!”

Everyone started talking at once until Tex stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. “One at a time!” he yelled until we all quieted. “Me, first. When, where, how, and why?”

Blaze almost choked with laughter but answered him anyway. “January. The bedroom or maybe the barn? Do I really need to explain how?”

We were all laughing now, but Heaven held up her hand to let her finish. “Why is simple. We want to start the new generation on Bison Ridge. We might be the first, but we won’t be the last.”

Amity waved her hand in the air. “But you just got married. You can’t be due in January already.”

Blaze grinned and took Heaven’s hand in his. “Let’s face it, Ma. We weren’t exactly virgins when we got married.” He threw his hand against his chest. “I know, I know, I’m sorry to crush your fantasy world, but the truth is what it is.”

Heaven shook her head at his dramatics. “We decided to start trying before the wedding once we did the math. I can’t be due when the red dogs are and when the work around the ranch intensifies. We had to plan it carefully. If I didn’t get pregnant so I was due before spring, we would have stopped trying until that window opened again. I know you understand, Amity.”

Amity jumped up and hugged them both fiercely, patting Heaven’s face when she stepped back. “Darlin’, we all understand. I don’t care how this little one came to be. I’m just thrilled they have come to be.” She looked up at the sky for a moment. “Let it be a she.”

Everyone burst out laughing because if there was one thing missing in the McAwley family, it was a girl to call their own. I got up and hugged Heaven tightly, too.

“I love you, girl. Anything you need, I’m here to do it. I will be the best auntie this little one has ever had. I’m so happy for you both.” I hugged Blaze next while everyone shared hugs, handshakes, and congratulations.

Blaze put his hand on Ash’s shoulder. “You know what this means, right?” he asked. Ash glanced up at him for a moment, shaking his head. “There are plans for a grandparent’s cottage on my desk. Next week we can discuss where you want it on the property and any changes you want to make. It’s a prefabricated one, so it won’t take long to get it set up. We know you’ll want to be here when the baby arrives, but an RV in the middle of a Wisconsin winter is going to be a little too drafty.”

Amity burst into tears, hugged her son again, and then jumped up and down. “I can’t believe it. I’m so excited to be a grandma again!”

Heaven took Amity’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m going to need help with a new baby until I learn how to do it one-handed. We knew we could count on you without even asking.”

Amity melted when she hugged Heaven again, gentler this time. The understanding between them was palpable as they held each other. “You can always count on me, but I know you’re going to be the best mom, even better than me, one arm or two arms. Your heart is so big that your child will need nothing else.”

I sat on Beau’s lap and hugged him around his neck, kissing him gently on the lips. “I love you, Uncle Beau.”

He chuckled and kissed me back, his tongue taking a tour of my mouth until everyone started gagging with exaggeration while yelling,get a room!

We broke apart laughing, and Beau pointed at his brother. “You might be the first to bring a red dog into this world, but you won’t be the last.”

“Do not refer to my child as a red dog!” Heaven exclaimed with laughter. “There will be none of that!”

Beau held up his hand while I scooted off his lap and sat in my chair. “Never again, but I can’t wait to teach the little munchkin about our fantastical beasts and their babies. Before those babies arrive, I have something else to do.” He knelt in front of me and took my hand, his eyes glowing with a seriousness I’d never seen before.

“Beau, what are you doing?” I asked in a whisper.

He reached into his shirt pocket and produced a ring that glinted in the light from the fire. “I was fixin’ to ask you to marry me. That’s why I’m down here on one knee holdin’ up a ring. This ring used to be my momma’s. She got it from her momma, who got it from her momma. There are generations of love, laughter, happiness, pain, and grief inside that diamond, but it also holds hope. I’ve had it all these years ha—ha—hoping one day I would put it on the finger of the woman who would carry on the tradition of strong wa—wa—women in my family.”

I took his face in my hands and rubbed my thumbs over the corners of his mouth as a reminder he could take as much time as he needed with no judgment.