Page 100 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
He’d thought about leaving one of the ponies with her for company, but they needed all his stock. Breezy was new to the shed, since he’d kept both her and Socks in one of his father’s sheds to maintain the surprise. They could become acquainted. He walked over to Legend’s stall and opened it. He was keeping her inside today, given all the stallions about, so he was going to leave the lights on. He heard one of his ponies stomp its hoof and turned his head. Winston blew loudly and stomped again. Kade studied the pony. He was showing mating signs. Well, he’d thought Legend would be in season early, hadn’t he? He would tell his father. They would put her and Sutter’s Mill together tomorrow in the pasture and let nature take its course.
He was smiling as he played with the light timers. His goals were so tangible his fingertips tingled. When Legend was pregnant, he’d have his land. He and Megan could begin planning their new home. It would be a fine wedding present.
“You enjoy your new friend,” he told Legend, rubbing her neck as he closed the stall. “We’ll see you later.”
His friends arrived as he finished saddling Eve. He’d elected to bring some of his larger ponies in addition to the smaller ones, knowing they could safely give some of the older children a ride.
“Morning,” Carrick called as he walked into the shed with Angie, who looked peaked and was carrying a large gift bag.
Ollie ran over and greeted his aunt and soon-to-be uncle. “Who’s the present for?”
“It’s for your mom,” Angie said, making a valiant effort to smile over her probable nausea. “I didn’t want to give it to her yesterday when we were opening presents in front of everyone.”
Kade didn’t have to wonder why. The celebration had been strained, especially when Megan opened a lilac sweater set from her parents. Of course, they hadn’t known about her changes, but the gulf between them had been noticeably uncomfortable.
“It’s been a morning of presents,” Megan said, taking the bag when Ollie brought it over to her.
When she pulled out the painting inside, her gasp filled the entire shed. A few of the ponies nickered in response.
Tears filled Megan’s eyes, and he watched as rare tears welled in her sister’s eyes too.
“I thought you might like to see how you look to me right now,” Angie said softly. “I hope you like it.”
Kade stepped up behind Megan as Ollie ducked in to see. “Wow, Mom,” Ollie said with awe. “You look really pretty.”
And she did, Kade thought, staring at the portrait. Angie had certainly captured the new air around Megan, from the way her short hair seemed to dance in the wind to the extra light in her brown eyes. Still, it was the full smile on her beautiful lips that touched his heart the most. She hadn’t arrived in Ireland smiling, and she’d told him she’d never smiled as much as she had since meeting him. “She’s captured your joy, love.”
She brought the portrait to her chest as if to hug it into her heart. “It’s beautiful, Angie. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, if you’ll show me to the toilet, I’ll just take care of things.”
Carrick took her arm, wincing. “It’s this way, but if you need to retch, don’t wait. It’s only a farm.”
Ollie made a disgusted face. “Being pregnant is the worst. Why do women have to get so sick?”
“One of the great mysteries of life,” Kade said, ruffling his hair. “I think I hear Liam, Declan, and Jamie’s voices.”
Ollie raced out of the shed, leaving them alone, and Kade pulled Megan to him, knowing she was awash with emotion. Eve nickered her support.
“It’s one of the best presents ever. Kade, do I really look like this?”
Tilting up her face, he smiled. “You do and more.”
“Then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.” She brushed away her tears. “I’ve become someone I’m proud of.”
He kissed her softly. “Good for you, love. Come on. Let’s head to the fair. It’s going to be a grand day.”
When they arrived in the main shed, Eve in tow, Eoghan met them at the door wearing a formal wedding jacket from decades ago, paired with a bright red bow tie.
“Megan, me girl!” he said, hugging her enthusiastically. “You’ve customers already. A few of the villagers came early, wanting to look over the wares. Your pottery is a hit. Not that I thought any differently. Go on, now. You have a queue already.”
She pressed her hand to her forehead. “A queue? Really? Oh, this is wonderful.”
She was so discombobulated that she wandered off without saying goodbye.
“Did you happen to put out the word that you’d be letting people in a little before ten?” Kade asked the older man.
He made a scoffing sound. “I might have, and then again, I might not have. I’ll never say this side of me own grave. Now, go on with you. We don’t allow ponies inside the main shed.”
