Page 62 of Ultimate Freedom

Never had Lexie seen a father-to-be so involved in every screech or groan from his woman in labor. As if he suffered right along with Bella, he winced and shuddered in empathy.

Between him and Demi fussing over Bella, Lexie swore again. “The next time either one of you gets in my way, I’m clearing the room. Now settle down. Bella is fine and so is them. First babies often take their time.”

Demi knew her friend and respected her tone. She glued her mouth shut after the threat and continued to feed ice chips to Bella while Tanner massaged her back. Through the whole ordeal, Bella clamped her teeth and made animal noises orswore to God and Tanner that they would only be having one kid.

After three hours, things got serious. Lexie finally moved into place and the real pain began. Once Bella started pushing, it was touch and go for Tanner not fainting, but they all managed to survive to hear the first blustery cries of them.

***

Once they arrived at the same spot where Tanner remembered the avalanche occurring, they set camp and began organizing the gear for the next day. While they cooked supper over the open fire, Glen explained how he’d met Tanner the first time he’d visited the cabin. “I could tell instantly that Demi loved him. They were close… it stood out a mile. Funny thing is, I’d never seen her like that before.”

“Like what?” Tanner watched Glen’s expression.

“It’s hard to explain. She seemed to have stepped back into the shell she wore when I first met her.”

“And…” Tanner listened carefully.

“As if her emotions needed to be kept hidden. And her self-confidence had disappeared. I don’t know. It sounds crazy.”

“No. Not at all. I remember when she first arrived, she forced everyone to keep their distance… not to invade her space. I guess that’s how it was in the city.”

“I like the way she is now.”

“Me, too.”

“By the way, you never told me what happened with your last call to Mitch.”

“Wel… his wife had a terrible time delivering the baby. Then they found out it needed an operation.”

“Right. I know that part. It’s why we’re here. To get the money for him so they could take care of the boy.”

“Did I tell you they named him after me.” Tanner tried not to let the boastful note enter his voice, but he was tickled to have a new Godson.”

“Braggart.” Glen laughed at seeing Tanner looking shy.

“Shut the fuck up.”

Chuckling, Glen asked, “So, when we get the gold and send it to Mitch, he’ll have the money to pay for the medical care the boy needs.”

“Well, kind of. Look, I couldn’t take the chance that the kid would be able to wait for the snow to melt. He needed care right away. And I believed Mitch when he said they’d struck it rich.”

“Uh huh. You paid for the operation, didn’t you?”

“And I’ll get my money back once we recover the gold.”

“And if we don’t?”

“Then it’ll be the best money I’ve ever spent. The kid is going to grow up healthy. What more can a man ask?”

Chapter Thirty-seven

It was the last night before Bella and Tanner were to head back to Phoenix and unlike her usual calm demeanor, Demi found herself to be weepy all day.

Whit approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her stomach. “It was nice of Tanner and Bella to get a room at the hotel these last nights. I think they just wanted to be alone with baby Glory. Guess they had a lot of catching up to do.”

Demi nestled into his warmth. “I’m still thrilled that they wanted to name the baby the same as the fawn. Bella said she loved the name that Charlie had picked and had secretly asked him if she could use it if the baby turned out to be a girl. Guess he was tickled.”

“She’s a cutie that one. Tanner’s already showing signs of being wrapped around those tiny fingers and Mama Bella keeps asking how she ever produced such a creature. I think being alone for now will be best for them.”

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