Page 129 of Bragg's Match

“I can love you and still be annoyed with you at the same time. I’m a woman. I know how to multi-task.”

I run my nose along hers. “But you’re not annoyed. You’re pretending.”

“I am a bit annoyed.” I cock an eyebrow. “I wanted to get the nursery ready but you already did everything.”

I grin.

She narrows her eyes. “What are you grinning about?”

“Ashlyn warned me about the nesting.”

“Ashlyn? It wasn’t one of the million pregnancy books?”

“I plead the fifth.” I retreat a step and grasp her hand to lead her to the closet. “I left this to you.”

I open the door and she gasps at the stacks of gift wrapped packages before tugging her hand free from mine. “I need to sort this out.”

I wrap my arms around her back and lay my chin on her shoulder. “Do you like your surprise?”

She shrugs. “It’s okay.”

I whirl her around to face me. “You’re full of doggy doo-doo, pixie.”

“Okay. Fine.” She huffs. “It’s a good gift.”

“I love how thankful you always are with my gifts.”

“I figure if I sound ungrateful at some point, you’ll stop spending all of your money on me.”

I chuckle. “I’m not spending all of my money on you. I have some left over for the baby.”

“And the Olympic-sized pool for Winter Falls.”

I may have gotten carried away with the pool situation. But who doesn’t want slides and diving boards at their town pool? No one, that’s who.

“And the car.”

I place a finger over her lips. “We agreed you can’t complain about the car since we need one in case of emergencies.”

“I’m surprised you don’t have an emergency plan for all contingencies.”

My cheeks warm.

“You do have an emergency plan!”

“So, sue me. I never want the woman I love or our child to be in danger.”

“You’re going to be a great dad.”

“And you’re going to be the best mom ever.”

Her smile is wobbly. “I had a great teacher.”

“And we’ll tell our child all about hisor hergrandmother.”

“My mom would have loved grandchildren.”

I pull her closer to me. Or, at least, as close as she can get with her pregnant belly. I wipe a stray tear from her cheek. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. Or I’ll be forced to buy you a gift to cheer you up.”

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