a whole other story. By then, I was overcome by my emotions. Heaven knows, I was already sure that I want no other man but Jake. I didn’t worry or think about protection simply because I didn’t even think I’d need to be anyone else ever again.
But now what?
“Belle?” Dad’s voice, once again, interrupts my train of thought.
I walk over to where they are, pinching my cheeks and plastering a smile on my face.
“Mornin’, good father.” I give him a kiss and quickly turn around to grab my tea mug.
“Morning, honey. What are you up to today?”
“Um—” I take a sip, organizing my thoughts. “I’ll be riding for a while, at Jake’s ranch.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” His eyes don’t move from the newspaper and I’m grateful.
“I’d better get ready.” I glance at Mom who’s skillfully maintaining a cheerful smile on her face.
“You’re not eating?” She tilts her head, her smile slowly killing me.
“I’ll have breakfast with Jake,” I defiantly respond before walking out.
As I finish my tea, hoping that it will settle my stomach in time for my dreadful confrontation, I pull out a pair of jeans and a tee and put them on. Before I leave, I tie my hair up in a bun and throw on my boots.
Out on the roads of the town, I wrack my brain trying to remember a pharmacy or a clinic that’s not on a main road. I can’t risk the news coming out before I tell Jake.
I find one in a little alley, and that’s where I do the pregnancy test. It says ‘positive’ and my insides dance a little before I manage to contain my excitement.
What if he’s not ready? Or he doesn’t really want a child?
What if he doesn’t want it with me?
I quickly pay and am on my way, mindlessly riding out of town and onto the road leading up to the ranches.
I’m not sure how much time passes as I lead Lady in his direction. When I arrive at the gates, a ranchman opens them for me, and a minute later, Buck greets me and tells me that Jake is working in his shed.
Without hesitation, I urge my horse to shrink the distance, my stomach nervously churning. It’s the same feeling I used to get before walking into a final exam at school.
When I finally get there, I take a deep breath and jump down, leading Lady into the shade as I encourage myself with a mental pep talk.
I knock on the door and open it, my eyes immediately landing on him as he’s settled behind his desk.
He looks even more gorgeous than usual. Is it the hormones?
“Belle!” His eyes widen and his face lights up.
“Hi.” I step inside and close the door before beginning to wring my hands. “Got a minute?”
“What is it?” His expression instantly changes, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.
My fidgety stance doesn’t help.
“Belle, did something happen?” He seems more concerned by the second.
“I—there’s something you need to know.”
He suddenly seems deflated, like he’s expecting the worst. He stands up and makes his way around the desk, slowly walking toward me.
“What is it?” He seems apprehensive to know the answer.
“I…” I shrug, my eyes too embarrassed to meet his. “I may be pregnant?” I feel my throat close up as my voice fades out.
And the last thing I imagined happens.
His face suddenly relaxes into a grin and his eyes begin to sparkle, a sharp exhale escapes his lips in what sounds like… relief?
“Oh my God,” he breathes out between his chuckles.
“Oh my God!” I repeat, my eyebrows shoot up in complete wonder.
With his smile growing warmer, he inches closer, his hands first landing on my shoulders before sliding down my back, pulling me into his embrace.
“Baby, that’s amazing!” he whispers, his lips an inch away from my ear.
“It is?” I’m in utter bewilderment.
He pulls away, hands now on my arms. His eyes pierce through mine, his smile slowly fading. “Unless—”
Without thinking, I let out a long titter mixed with a sigh, making an incomprehensible sound as I gaze into his eyes.
“Are you kidding?” I shake my head. “I was worried you—”
“Shh.” He places a finger over my lips. “You didn’t just make my day, you made my whole year,” he whispers.
Baffled, I stare at him, still unable to believe what’s happening.
“And it’s in your hands to make my whole life, too,” he continues.
“Wha—” I trail off, my head buzzing.
“Make me a father.” His hands claim mine, gently squeezing as he crouches down.
My eyes