Page 74 of Quietly Falling
My eyebrows pinch together as she runs her thumb over the tag before turning it to face me.
We’re Pregnant!
I gasp,the sound making Bodhi turn to look at us.
“Oh my gosh!” I whisper squeal. “Can I hug you?”
“Yes,” she laughs, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Stupid hormones.”
The words are muttered like she’s really put out by it, but the way she hugs me says that she’s completely overjoyed.
Walking slowly, Bodhi brings the donkey around to stand in front of us, the sweet girl completely unfazed by the people now pouring out of the house as Ellison slips the collar around her neck.
“Got the goats in the back too,” Bodhi murmurs, making her grin as he wraps his arm around her shoulders. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“What the hell?” Montana cries, exasperation in his tone as he stalks down the steps, all dark hair and broad shoulders as he stands in front of her with his hands on his hips. “We don’t need a donkey.”
“Her name is Blu and look at her face,” Ellison says coyly. “Look, she even came with a name tag…”
Narrowing his eyes, he takes a step toward the donkey, one hand gently petting her snout before he stumbles back a step.
“Eddie…” he rasps—an affectionate nickname if I were to guess—“are we? I mean you’re?—”
“Pregnant,” she confirms, tears pooling in her eyes as they stare at each other before he lets out awhoop, picking her up and spinning her around.
“We’re havin’ a baby!” he yells, the crowd going absolutely wild with the news.
Bodhi winks at me from where he’s still holding on to Blu, the donkey still perfectly content as someone’s arm slides around my waist.
“Welcome to the family,” the slight blonde says, her smile bright and happy. I’d met Bea Carter in passing when she stopped by Wandering Pages to drop off some of her lotions and soaps. Hannah can barely keep them on the shelves. My own bathroom has more than a few of the goat milk products, not just because the tag, Bea’s Bubbles and Balms, is adorable, but because my skin has never felt so soft.
Plus I’m a sucker for a seasonal scent like everyone else.
“Thank you,” I tell her with a laugh as she gives me a real hug, her positive energy infectious—or maybe it’s the love absolutely gushing from everyone here. Either way, I can’t help but soak it up, my heart soaring at being a small part of this newfound family.
“It’s usually not this chaotic…” she trails off and shakes her head. “What am I talkin’ about? It’salwaysthis chaotic but it’s fun, I promise.”
“I can’t wait.”
35
BODHI
The excitement of Ellison’s pregnancy announcement carried all through the night. Montana hadn’t stopped smiling and it had a warm sort of pressure forming in my chest, happiness for my friend but also the realization that I can have that one day too.
Hopefully with Ella.
Bea and Archer had taken Holland and Beck to help get Blu and the two baby goats sorted. Montana had barely even flinched at the new additions, too overjoyed with the news of his own baby on the way.
But I have no doubt, he’ll be bitching about them soon enough.
Most likely when they’re chasing him around the paddock.
“What’s that smile for?” Ella says as she eases down onto the couch next to me in Ellison and Montana’s living room, Remi sound asleep on my chest. I’d finally pried her from Montana’sI’m gonna be a dad so I need to practicegrasp.
“I’m…happy,” I tell her honestly, and her face lights up as she leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips.
