Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“It definitely is,” Elena says, “but I also have something to tell you.”
Her expression gives it away before she makes her announcement. The glow in her cheeks is another clue.
“I’m pregnant!”
Kira and I both jump up to hug Elena and give her our congratulations.
“I just told Buck, Weston, and Calder two days ago,” she says. “And I told T.J.”
“Aww, he’s going to be a big brother,” Kira says. “Is he excited?”
“He is.” Elena’s radiating happiness now. “He asked how old the baby will need to be before they can play with LEGO with him.”
I give her another hug. “That’s so exciting.”
Elena wipes away the happy tears that are leaking from her eyes. “I wanted you two to know before the rest of the town does.”
The three of us look around then, and aside from the pair of hikers, everyone else is looking at Elena with smiles on their faces.
“I think you got it all accomplished at once,” Kira says. “Word of mouth will spread the news faster than Rhett’s billboard.”
“Oops.” Elena looks at her watch. “I’d better call the superintendent, so she’ll hear it from me first.”
“You’d better hurry, then,” Kira says, catching my eye. “And if you need anything, let us know. Your baby already has two honorary aunts standing by.”
“That’s right,” I say. “And at least half a dozen honorary uncles.”
Kira groans and puts her head in her hands. “Oh no. My guys are going to want to share their babyproofing checklist with your guys.”
By the time we leave, my cheeks are actually sore from laughing and smiling so much.
The three of us walk out together into the warm afternoon, just as three men cross the street toward the bakery. Sunlight catches the silver of one man’s beard, but the more notable thing is that two of the men are wearing cowboy hats. All three are in faded jeans and dusty cowboy boots.
The tallest one holds the bakery door open while the other two step inside ahead of him.
“Like clockwork,” Kira says with a giggle after all three disappear into the shop.
“I heard they’re always there in the morning, though,” Elena says.
“Who are they?” I ask.
“The three of them run a ranch west of town,” Kira says. “They’re former military, too.”
“Let me guess,” I say. “Atlas knows all about them.”
“Silas is the one who knows about everyone,” Kira says. “Atlas is the one who shares the information with others on a need-to-know basis, or when I can manage to get him chatting over coffee.”
“Those men come into town every day?” I ask. “They must really have a sweet tooth.”
“Or they’re just sweet on the baker,” Kira says.
“Whatever the reason, I hope it’s something good,” Elena says. “From what I hear, she’s had a rough stretch these past few years.”
“The baker?” I look at the cheerful storefront with fresh eyes. “What happened?”
Elena shakes her head gently. “That’s her story to tell.”
Kira’s smiling as she slips her sunglasses on. “Or maybe you can get Atlas to spill the tea over a cup of coffee.”
Across the street, an older woman comes out of the bakery, and the sound of laughter spills out from inside while the door is open. All three of the ranchers are at the counter, talking to a pretty red-haired woman.
Elena catches my eye. “I have a feeling Moon Ridge isn’t done surprising us.”
CHAPTER 45
WREN
A day after Boone has a good checkup with the doctor in town, I suggest the four of us go for a short hike.
The man still isn’t going to be allowed to chop wood for at least another month, but hopefully a little exertion in the fresh air will satisfy him.
“Light hiking,” I emphasize. “No scrambling up steep inclines, no racing, no carrying me.”
He nods along agreeably until I get to the last point. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Boone settles for holding my hand, while Rhett takes the lead, and Cade walks behind. I’m reminded of my first days out here on the trails with the three of them, way back when I was still distracted by their triplet-ness, and trying and failing not to notice how attractive they were.
Even now, after spending so much time looking at three versions of the same face, I still get caught off guard by how handsome they are. How rugged and strong and so incredibly sexy—
“Do you want to slow down, sweetheart?” Boone asks. “Your hand is getting a little sweaty.”
I’ve just been caught thinking dirty thoughts, busted by biology and my body’s response to the mere thought of the Wilder brothers.
“I’m good,” I say. “Besides, I don’t sweat, I glow.”
Rhett stops and turns toward us, and the look in his eyes perfectly matches the thoughts I’d been having. “Both are true. Our girl sweats when we work her hard, and that’s just how I like it.”
My eyes go wide, and I reach out to a nearby tree for support. “If you’re going to say things like that, my legs aren’t going to function the way I need them to.”