Page 70 of One Unexpected Gift

Skylar adjusted the bright orange hat on her head that he made her wear. Even though his land was marked, he never took for granted that hunters would see or obey the signs. They kept to the open trails closer to his house, and he’d bring them on bigger hikes when hunting season was over.

It had been a week since they had their heartfelt discussion at Owen and Charlie’s house. Nick had spent every free moment with Skylar and Gabriella, and he’d asked Colby and Ashley to work overtime so he could bow out early to be with his girls before bedtime.

His girls.

Skylar was quiet as they walked through the trails behind his house. They’d gone for walks every day now, sometimes with their daughter strapped to Skylar, other days to him. She’d mentioned wanting to exercise more and lose her pregnancy pounds, not that he found anything wrong with her body.

The only thing wrong was that he hadn’t seen her naked, hadn’t touched her in places other than her back or her face. He wouldn’t push. He’d take the lead from her. She had to know how much he wanted her, but she’d been hesitant to take their relationship any further than friends who had hot and heavy make-out sessions.

They may have done things backwards, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“How are your headaches?”

Her question didn’t surprise him. She asked him daily–ten times a day–how he was feeling. He was also used to her avoiding responding to questions that made her uncomfortable.

“No headache since the last time you asked.” Which was an hour before they went for their walk. To be fair, they crept up on him out of nowhere, but he didn’t like to complain about them much. Skylar got upset when he pushed himself too far or pretended like he was fine.

“That’s good.”

“We talked about being open and honest.”

“I’m glad you’re being honest about your headaches.”

“Skylar,” he warned.

She stopped walking and faced him. “Meeting your family is a pretty big deal.”

“They’re going to love you both. Unconditionally.”

He read the hesitation in her eyes. She was still afraid his family would take Gabriella away from her. Nick cupped her chin in his palm and tilted her face up.

“You have my word, Skylar. I won’t let anything happen to either one of you. You both are...” my life, he wanted to say. The words formed easily in his mind, but he held them back, not confident she was ready to hear them, or to make a commitment.

She was filled with doubt, and he still had a lot of work to do to prove himself to her. Meeting his family was a step in that direction.

“You two will never be separated. You have my word.” He lowered his mouth to hers and placed a soft kiss on her lips. With Gabriella strapped to his chest, he couldn’t take Skylar in the strong hug he wanted to give her.

“They won’t think of me as a two-dollar ho who trapped you into fatherhood?”

Nick barked out a laugh. He couldn’t help it. “Darlin’.” He draped an arm across her shoulders and tugged her into his hip. “You’re worth so much more than two dollars.”

Skylar gasped and elbowed him in the ribs. She escaped his hold and jogged ahead of them. When she turned and walked backwards, she pointed her finger at him in typical scolding mother fashion.

“You’re a jerk.” The smile on her lips told him she didn’t mind his teasing.

He winked at her. “But you love me anyway.”

She stumbled, caught herself with her hand, and turned away again. He’d meant the words in jest. Sort of. Not really. He wanted her to love him, or at least feel for him the way he did for her.

It could be love that bubbled in his chest every time he saw her, or it could be lust. He wasn’t sure since they both blended together when he caught a glimpse of her red hair, or a whiff of her floral citrus scent, or touched her silky-smooth skin.

When he looked at his daughter and she returned his smile, it was one hundred percent pure love. He’d told Skylar it would take time. What he hadn’t realized was that it only took one day to fall in love with his daughter.

He’d move heaven and hell and every other cliche to keep her safe, to make sure she never went without, to make sure she was surrounded by love. Did he feel the same about Skylar?

His eyes narrowed in on the sway of her hips in her tight black leggings, traveled down her slim legs and then back up to her lean back. Her body made him lust, but her smile, her laugh, the selfless love she doted on Gabriella, the way she kissed him, made him believe it could be love.

They continued their hike to the top of the hill where he slipped off the backpack and set it on a rock.

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