Page 51 of The Rancher's Secret Son
“I’m glad. I hope he doesn’t have regrets. He gave up a lot.”
“I don’t think there’s the slightest chance of that happening. These boys had a grandfather who caused them to all love being cowboys. It doesn’t matter what kind of fortune the Milans have, those guys are happiest on the back of a horse or riding across the ranch in a pickup. You’ll see. Nick will never look back. That was something our Dad wanted him to do—law and politics. Now, because of you, Nick’s married his first love.”
“Thanks, Madison. You make me feel good,” Claire said, smiling.
“And here he comes, looking like a man ready to escape a party,” Madison said, laughing and walking away.
Nick joined her. “I suppose I just ran Madison off.”
“She didn’t mind.”
“I’m ready to bow out of this. They’ve already taken your grandfather home. Your grandmother and Irene are waiting with Cody for us to tell them goodbye and there’s a limo to take them home. Can I get you to leave now?”
“Of course,” she said, taking his hand. They walked out of the room and outside the club, where Grandma and Cody stood in the sunshine beside a white limousine. The tall gray-haired nanny stood nearby and smiled at Claire.
Claire stopped to speak briefly with Irene and then moved to Cody and her grandmother.
Claire picked up her son. “We’ll be back at the end of the week. I promise to call you every night, and you tell Grandma if you want to call me. All right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I love you,” she said, hugging him and loving the feel of his thin arms around her neck. She handed him over to Nick, who also gave him a big hug.
“We’ll be back in a week,” he said, setting Cody on his feet. Verna reached out to take his hand.
Claire hugged and kissed her grandmother and then climbed into the limo. Nick followed and the chauffeur closed the door behind him. They waved as they drove away, and then Nick pulled her into his arms.
“Mrs. Nick Milan. I’ve waited a long time for this, Claire. I love you,” he said as he pulled her close again to kiss her.
“I love you, Nick,” she whispered. Claire clung to him tightly while she kissed him. Joy filled her and she hoped they could give Cody a little brother and a little sister. She squeezed Nick tightly, still astounded that she was married to the man she had always loved. Like the diamonds on her finger, happiness held a glittering promise of her future with Nick and Cody. Her family.
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