I leaned my head against Tyler’s arm, warmed by the love he and Mom shared, heart full from Bluebell’s successful delivery. And... suddenly very nervous about telling my husband he was going to be a father. He’d be happy. I knew he would be. He was constantly showing me pictures of Rosie and Isaac’s new baby girl. But it was so soon for us. So completely unexpected.
I scratched the goat behind the ears. “I think I want one of these,” I said cautiously, my heart hammering loud enough that I thought Tyler might actually hear it.
“Oh. Here, you can hold him.”
“No, that’s not...” I took a calming breath. “I mean, I think I want a baby. A...human one.”
He eyed me cautiously. “Really?”
I shrugged. “It could be fun.”
“We’ve only been married three months.”
Fear gripped my belly. He couldn’t tell me he wanted to wait. Couldn’t tell me he wasn’t ready. Because it was happening whether he was ready or not.
“Tyler, I’m pregnant,” I blurted. I squeezed my eyes closed, bracing for whatever words he said next.
“Are you serious?” he said, his tone sounding. . . hopeful?
I peeked one eye open. “Yes?”
“But I thought we.. .” His words trailed off. “We used.. .we did, didn’t we?”
I shrugged. “They don’t always work.”
He finally smiled, the warmth and love in his expression melting the terror that had started to grip my heart. “You’re pregnant.”
I nodded. “I peed on seven different tests.”
He laughed. “How long have you known?”
I grimaced. “A week? I know. I should have told you sooner, but I wanted to be sure. And I also wanted to tell you in person. I was afraid you’d be mad.”
“How could I ever possibly be mad about something like this?”
“Because we didn’t plan it!” I whisper-yelled. “Because we were trying to prevent it. Because we’ve only been married three months.”
He settled the baby goat into my arms and shifted so his arms were around me. I leaned into his chest, grateful for the solid warmth of him. For the steadying presence he was in my life. “When has life ever given us the opportunity to actually make plans? We should know by now, Liv. The most we can do is buckle up for the ride.”
I breathed in the comforting (and still dead sexy) scent of citrus and pine. “I’m so glad I’m on this ride with you.”
He kissed my temple.
“Me too, Olivia Marino. Me, too.”
********
