“We were waiting for you.” He slapped a beer in Kujo’s hand and turned to Molly. “Beer, wine or a margarita?”
“I’ll have a beer,” she said.
Kujo twisted the top off the beer and handed it to Molly.
Six found Lucy lounging in the shade on the porch and laid down beside her.
Boomer and Daphne arrived with Maya. They spread a blanket on the ground beside the one where Emma was playing with a plastic horse.
“Won’t be long before Maya is chasing Emma around the barnyard,” Sadie said.
“I can’t wait to teach them how to ride horses,” Daphne said.
“How are your riding lessons coming along?” Hank asked.
Daphne grinned. “Good. Boomer’s going to get me a horse as soon as we build a barn on our place.”
Hank grinned. “Then you’ll need to get a pony for Maya.”
“We will, when she gets a little bigger,” Boomer said.
Taz Davila and his woman, Hannah Kendricks, the physical therapist at the local veterans rehabilitation ranch, arrived at the same time as John Wayne Morris—the Duke—and Angel Carson, his stuntwoman fiancée. They claimed the horseshoes and started a game far enough away from the little ones to keep them safe.
Swede and Allie had come earlier to help with setting up tables and making side dishes for the growing crowd of people.
Bear and Mia Chastain arrived with Chuck, Kate and Kate’s niece Lyla.
Maddog and his woman Jolie pulled in shortly after.
Bringing up the rear were Viper and his woman, Dallas.
“Is that all of us?” Hank asked.
“Flannigan is out on assignment,” Sadie reminded him.
“That’s right.” Hank dropped a foil-covered corn cob on the grill.
Sadie smiled and rubbed her growing baby bump. “Hank’s really built quite the empire of protectors. I might decide to give up acting to help him keep organized. That and be a fulltime mom.”
Hank handed the grill duties over to Swede and came up onto the porch to hug his wife. “You can do whatever your heart desires.” He kissed her soundly and bent to kiss her belly. “Us guys will keep you busy here on the ranch.”
“We don’t know if the baby is a boy or a girl. We said we’d wait and be surprised.” Sadie frowned. “You didn’t peek at the ultrasound, did you?”
Hank grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “If I did, I’m not telling.”
“Hank!” Sadie swatted at his arm.
Rafe slipped up behind Briana and covered her belly with his hands. “I can’t wait for you to be as big as Sadie.”
Briana leaned back in his arms and smiled. She’d meant to wait and tell him later that night when they were in bed at the hunting cabin, but now was as good a time as any. “Careful what you wish for, babe.” She turned in his arms. “In eight and a half months. I’ll be just as big.”
Rafe’s brow dipped in a frown. “Wait…what?” His frown deepened. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
She nodded, her smile spreading across her face. “I’m pregnant.”
“What?” Sadie’s head came up. “Briana? You’re pregnant?”
Briana’s grin broadened. “I am.”
Dash Hayes glared at Rafe. “What the hell, Donovan?”
“Well, damn,” Rafe muttered. “I was going to save this for a private moment, but since you’re making announcements, I’d better make one of my own and also make an honest woman out of you.” Rafe dropped to one knee. “Am I doing it right, Tank?”
Tank rolled his eyes. “If you have to ask, you aren’t.”
Briana’s heart fluttered and swelled to twice its size, filling her chest with all the happiness she felt.
“Briana Hayes…” Rafe paused. “Hell, I had it all memorized, and now I can’t remember a word.”
“From the heart,” Tank prompted. “Speak from the heart.”
“Oh, right.” Rafe cleared his throat and started over. He took her hand in his.
Briana’s entire body trembled. She thought she might pass out or throw up, she was so nervous.
“From the heart,” Rafe said. “From the moment I heard your voice talking to me from Chicago to Springfield, I felt like I’d come home. You have the most beautiful voice. Sometimes, I close my eyes and just listen to you talk. But I digress. The point is, I want your voice to be the one I wake to every morning. You’re beautiful, courageous and fun to be with. Will you be my wife and make me the happiest man on earth?”
Briana cupped his cheeks in her palms. “Rafe Donovan…I thought you’d never ask.” She laughed. “Yes! I’ve loved you since we met over the phone, and I’ll love you when we’re old and gray. And