The Healing Touch - Apryl Baker Page 0,93
but he’d get as damn close as he could.
He found her out in the garden mulching her rose bushes for the winter. She was wearing a long-sleeved chocolate blouse, and her jeans were her gardening jeans —old and full of holes. Ollie was stretched out beside her, content to snore away while she worked.
God, she was beautiful. Her blonde hair sparkled in the late afternoon sun, and the earbuds she had in kept her from realizing he was behind her. She trusted Ollie would keep her safe even if someone got past all the security measures he’d put in place.
He pushed off the doorframe and walked over to them. She saw his shoes first and looked up at him. The smile he loved more than his own life graced her lips.
“Hey.” She pulled out one earbud. “You done for the day?”
“Just finished the first draft. Think you can read it for me?”
“Sure, but only if you don’t yell at me like the last time I tried to tell you the book wasn’t ready.”
He winced. She had told him that, but he’d released it anyway. Some fans were forgiving. Others, not so much.
This book would bring him back out on top. It was a gut feeling.
“Promise.”
“Angel called while you were working. She and Kade are coming over for dinner. They even offered to pick up dinner.”
“Please tell me he’s not trying to bring more Thai food. He knows I can’t resist that shit, and I suffer horribly.”
“I swear I made him promise no Thai food.”
See, his woman loved him.
“He said something about Indian…”
No, she was an evil witch who wanted more bathroom memes to blackmail him with.
They both heard the doorbell ring. Dimitri had speakers mounted out here so if they were in the garden, they’d hear someone at the door.
“I think I’m going to get the Ring doorbell so I can tell fuckers to get gone when I’m about to pull you up and kiss you senseless.”
She only smiled and stood. Oliver jumped up and looked around. When Dimitri reached for her, the dog growled.
The fuck?
His own damn dog growled at him?
The fuck?
“Easy, boy.” Becca stroked his head, and the dog wrapped himself around her legs. The kitten they’d gotten ran out from under the bushes and did the same thing. Milo. Becca teased him they needed to get a little bulldog and call him Otis. What she didn’t know was that was exactly what he’d arranged for her birthday next week.
“What the hell is his problem?”
“He’s a little more protective of me now.”
“From me?” He gaped at her.
“Well, from everyone. Dogs tend to do that with women in my condition.”
“Condition? What condition? Are you sick? Do I need to take you to the ER?”
“No, Dimitri. I’m just pregnant.”
His mouth fell open. He blinked several times, and she patted his cheek and walked by him and into the house.
Pregnant?
He stood there a full minute before the shock wore off. He let out a roar and ran after her. She had just let Kade and Angel in. His sister-in-law was in her eighth month of pregnancy. She was glowing.
Both Kade and Angel were ecstatic. She’d been terrified until she passed her twentieth week. After her first pregnancy, he couldn’t blame her, though.
Sweet Mary, mother of Jesus.
Pregnant.
Oh, God, Becca could miscarry…
Fuck, no. That wasn’t happening. He’d tell his kid to stay put, and by God, he would.
Pregnant.
“What’s your problem, motherfucker?” Kade slapped him on the back.
“Do you always have to greet each other with that word?” Angel admonished. The longer she was pregnant, the more motherly she became, right down to railing about their foul mouths.
They were their father’s sons, though, and that mouth would never change.
“Don’t mind him. He’s still in shock.” Becca sniffed in the takeout bag she’d taken from Kade.
“Shock?” Kade looked instantly concerned. “What happened? Do I need to do something?”
Dimitri shook his head, opened his mouth, but no words came out. He struggled to get air into his lungs.
Pregnant.
He stabbed a finger at Becca, and Kade looked from him to her, not understanding.
“Becca?” Angel questioned.
“I told him I was pregnant, and he’s been struck dumb since.”
“You’re pregnant?” Angel squealed and reached for her. Becca laughed as she attempted to hug her around her belly.
“Where’s…”
“With Sara’s parents,” Kade finished before the words left Becca’s mouth.
Dimitri blinked, seeing his brother’s worry. The Kincaids had been through hell this last year, but they’d weathered the storm, regained a precious treasure they thought was lost forever, added Sara and Delia to