And now, after I’d given up all hope that it could ever happen, here I am in my hometown, finally truly in love with an incredible man, and pregnant.
I can’t freaking wait to tell Zack.
And Cara. Should I call Cara? No, I should tell Zack first.
Shit, I don’t know what to do.
I laugh at myself and start the car, wipe tears from my cheeks, and just before I pull away from the parking lot, I get another text.
Zack: On my way to ur place. Just dropped Seth off.
Me: Perfect timing. Meet u there.
I drive the short distance through town to my little house and pull into the driveway just before Zack, who pulls in behind me.
“Hey sugar,” he says as he opens my door for me and gives me a big hug before following me to the door and inside the house. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“Bad day?” I ask as we shed our coats and boots. Zack takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles, sending happy zings up my arms and to my chest. I’m dying to blurt it out! Maybe we should have dinner first?
“Long day. Seth is moody, anxious to get to Josiah’s house, and one of the ranch hands quit. We have less help in the winter anyway, so we need to find someone quickly to pick up the slack.”
“I’m sorry,” I murmur and step back into his arms, holding him tightly around his waist and pressing my cheek to his chest. He rubs my back and presses a kiss to my head.
“It’s okay. I’m feeling much better now.” I hear the smile in his voice as I tip my head back. He leans in for a soft, thorough kiss that just about steals my breath away.
“I can cook you dinner, and you can hang out and relax for a while.”
“That sounds great, but I’ll help with dinner.”
“I insist.” I press my hand to his chest, rub it soothingly, loving the hard feel of his sternum and the muscles of his pecs, and frankly, I could just stand here all day and run my hands all over him. I want to tell him about the baby and watch his face light up with joy, but I also want to pick the perfect moment. I grin slyly and back away.
“What do you have up your sleeve?” His eyes narrow as he props his hands on his hips.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug innocently and turn to walk to the kitchen. Rather than sitting down to relax, Zack follows me.
“Uh-huh,” he says. “You’re not a good liar.”
“I’m not lying.” I laugh and shake my head. Not really. It’s good news! “If you insist on being in here, can you grab the chicken breasts out of the fridge?” I turn to the pantry and pull out ingredients to make chicken enchiladas. “The inspection on the Peterson house was this morning.”
“That seems fast.”
“It was. I pulled a few strings.” I shrug and set a pan on the stove to brown the chicken in. “They’re excited to move in, and I’d like for it to move as quickly as possible.”
“Do they have kids?”
“Yes, three and a fourth on the way.”
“Holy shit, that’s a lot of kids.”
I laugh as I turn the chicken. “The house is plenty big enough for all of them. That’s one of the things they wanted, plenty of bedrooms and a nice yard. They’ve been renting a smaller place, so moving into this nice, new, big house is going to feel like heaven to them.”
“I’m happy for them then,” he replies and leans his hips against my kitchen counter as he watches me work. “You’re a good cook.”
“Thanks. I like to cook.”
“This kitchen seems kind of small.”
I nod and glance around the kitchen, then shrug. “It’s just me here most of the time, so it’s sufficient.” But it won’t be just me for long!
I smile softly and begin shredding the chicken.
“Remember how I mentioned that I want to remodel my kitchen?”
“I do. You’re brave. Remodeling a kitchen is a pain in the ass.”
“I know,” he agrees with a chuckle. “I remember the last time Mom and Dad remodeled. But this time, I have Josh’s place and Mom and Dad’s new place nearby so we can go there for meals if need be.”
“True. And you guys can come here too. That will help for sure.”
“I want you to help with the remodel.”
“I’m not great with a hammer and I know nothing about buzz saws,” I reply as my heart picks up speed again.
“Funny.” He swats my ass playfully as I wrap the enchiladas and lay them in a glass pan to slide into the oven. “You’re a regular comedian.”
“I know. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.”
“Ba dum bum.”
Zack grins, just as his phone rings in his pocket. He frowns when he checks the display. “I’ll be right back.” He stomps through the kitchen and out the back door, his entire demeanor changed from just a few moments ago.
I wonder who that was?
I shrug and set the timer on the oven then set about cleaning up the small mess. Just as I toss the sponge into the sink, Zack comes back into the kitchen.
He’s scowling and his body is tense.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He shakes his head and takes a deep breath. “Nothing important.”
I tilt my head and watch him as he scrubs his fingers through his hair. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It’s nothing.”
Maybe the baby news will cheer him up!