Page 107 of Heart Thief

“That means no. He can’t resist playing with her.”

He heads for the stairs, bounding up them quickly.

I take them slow and easy for the two-hundredth time today. While I love our three-story Victorian home, the stairs will be the death of me. They do keep me in shape, though. I barely found out I’m pregnant with our second child and I don’t remember the stairs being this hard the last time I was dealing with early pregnancy symptoms.

During my last pregnancy, I was petrified of the postpartum stage. After my bout with the Great Big Dark, I feared feeling that way again. I knew it was common during the weeks after a baby was born and I wasted so much of my time worrying over it.

It didn’t happen. I was fine. I don’t have time to dwell on it this time around, but it does cross my mind now and again. Zane always says we’ll face it together if it happens.

I love that man.

I hear giggling before I even reach the door of Ella’s room. Sure enough, our angelic six-month old is wide awake, sitting on the floor next to her father and uncle while they play peek-a-boo with her, using the new pink bear as the BOO.

Ella’s in her pajamas, freshly bathed. At least Zane has her halfway ready for bedtime.

Ryker’s elegant suit jacket has been tossed aside in a crumpled pile, and he’s distorting his face in the weirdest ways as he attempts to earn a giggle from Ella. She’s sitting on the floor in her straight-back position, thoroughly entertained.

My little girl. She’s brought me so much happiness. It’s more than my heart can contain. Zane was right about that.

My eyes rest on Zane. He’s already in his jeans and t-shirt for the evening, looking happy and relaxed. A warm tingle rushes through my body, a burst of love so strong it devours me. He’s my person, the one who makes me happy, the one who animates me.

I took a chance and married him after dating for only six months. No regrets. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. No doubt about that. We had fifteen months together before we found out we were expecting our first baby. It was our honeymoon period, the time that grounded us as a couple. It was a time of healing, a time filled with lots of love and laughter. It was exactly what I needed.

When Ella giggles so hard, her face turns red, he laughs aloud, his smile huge. I never tire of watching him with her.

That man is captivated with his daughter. Our little girl is going to be able to sweet talk her daddy into whatever her heart pleases. We’re in so much trouble.

I’m going to have to be the bad guy in her life, the one who sets all the rules. I can see it coming.

But I’m not worried. I love how much Zane loves our daughter. It makes me love him even more.

When he’s not obsessed with Ella, he’s obsessed with me. I believe that’s why I’m prego again already. Go figure. That’s how the birds and the bees work. There are consequences.

That’s okay. We love our cute little consequences, born and unborn. I also love the birds and the bees. We both do. A little too much.

Zane’s eyes catch me standing in the doorway and I swear his brown eyes turn into melted chocolate at the sight of me. I love it.

Or maybe that’s me craving chocolate. Never can tell nowadays.

His attention quickly shifts to the other love of his life. Both Ryker and Zane are enraptured.

“Hey guys, dinner will be ready soon.”

No response. It’s like I’m not even there.

“We’re having mud cakes with a few rocks on the side.”

“Okay,” Zane says, tickling Ella. “Sounds great. Be down in a few.”

A few means thirty minutes when it comes to his playtime with Ella.

Ryker shoots me a worried frown. He was paying attention, after all.

“Just kidding. Spaghetti and meatballs.”

He sends me a thumbs up.

“Okay, I’m gonna take Artie for a quick walk. I think I’ll rob the corner market while I’m out. Would you like me to steal anything for you?”

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