Page 94 of Texas Splendor
Loree’s face was contorted with pain as she strained and pushed, grunted and groaned. Then she dropped back on the bed, breathing heavily. Austin heard a tiny indignant wail, and Loree’s lovely face filled with wonder and love.
“It’s a boy,” Dr. Freeman announced.
Austin watched the physician place the child in the crook of Loree’s arm. Loree smiled softly, then she looked at Austin, her eyes brimming with tears through which the gold glistened like treasure.
But the treasure was nestled within her arms.
“It’s a boy,” she said breathlessly. “I knew it would be.”
Smiling, Austin walked toward the bed like a man ensconced in a dream. He had a wife. He had a son. The responsibility should have weighed heavy on him, but he thought he might actually float to the clouds.
He knelt beside the bed. She touched the child’s head. “Look, he has black hair just like you.” Her smile was radiant as she proceeded to stroke the baby’s hand. “And your long fingers.”
She snapped her gaze to Austin. “I’m so glad he has your hands and not mine.”
He cradled her cheek. “He’s beautiful, Loree. Just like his mother.” He brushed his lips over hers. “God, I love you.”
“Do you want to hold him?”
He jerked his gaze to his son. “Hold him?”
“Uh-huh.” She moved the child closer to him. “Surely you want to hold him.”
“What if I drop him?”
“Did you ever drop your nieces?”
“I never held them while they were this tiny. I waited until they were big enough to latch onto me.”
“He doesn’t have teeth yet, so he won’t bite,” she assured him.
He swallowed hard and gave her a nod, not wanting to disappoint her after she’d worked so hard. He slid his hands beneath hers.
“His head is kinda wobbly so be sure you hold it.”
“Won’t fall off or nothing, will it?” he asked.
She laughed with joy. “No.”
He brought the boy into the crook of his arm. “Hello there, young fella.”
The babe blinked his blue eyes.
“He’s looking at me, Loree. Look at that.” He tilted the baby toward her. “He’s looking at me. You think he knows who I am?”
“I’m sure he does.”
“Can I show him to Houston and Dallas?” he asked, feeling like a child with a new toy.
“I don’t see why not.”
With the greatest of care, he stood and turned toward the door. His brothers were already standing there, grinning almost as much as he was. “I’ve got a son. Can you believe that? A son.”
He looked over his shoulder at Loree. “What are we gonna name him?”
She licked her lips. “I’d like to name him after my family—Grant.”
“Grant,” Austin repeated. “I like it.”
