Lone Wolf (Wilde Brothers Ranch #6)- Scarlett Grove Page 0,31

until the baby had drunk her fill. Then the nurse told Annie she needed to return to her incubator.

Over the next several hours until the sun went down, the nurse brought the baby back several times to nurse. Dylan pulled out a cot in the room and was there to help Annie through the night. The next day, the doctors said Annie was ready to be released, but she didn't want to leave her daughter’s side.

“I'll just wait in the hall then,” she said.

“There's a hotel next door,” one of the nurses suggested. “You can come back here every few hours.”

Annie didn't want to leave, but she was discharged, and Dylan got a cab to take them to the hotel room across the street. Annie crawled into the bed and fell asleep. After Annie rested for a few hours, she wanted to return to the hospital. It went on like that for several days: going to the hospital to be with their daughter then returning to the hotel room to rest. Five days later, the doctors announced that their daughter could return home with them. She would need to return to the hospital every few days for checkups, but they decided she was strong enough to leave the NICU.

Montana and Shane drove Dylan’s car over as he drove Annie back to her apartment. He helped her up the stairs with the car seat, all of the diapers, and medication from the hospital. She unlocked the door of her apartment, and he carried the car seat inside.

He had returned one day while she was at the hospital to set up a crib by the bed and all the other baby equipment she would need. They hadn't spoken about the adoption, and Dylan hadn't brought it up. All that mattered to him was that his mate was safe and happy and that his daughter would be okay. Everything else could be figured out later.

After she was fed, the baby fell asleep, and they put her into the crib beside Annie's bed. Annie climbed under the covers, and her eyes fluttered closed. Dylan didn't know what to do now that Annie was home. But they were finally through the woods. He was turning to go when she stopped him.

“Please stay,” she said. “I need you here.”

17

Annie woke to the sound of her daughter's crying. She scrambled up to sitting and removed her child from the crib beside her bed. They had been getting used to this routine. The baby was gaining weight and growing every day. She watched her daughter's face as she latched on and suckled her breast.

She stroked the baby’s cheek, which was filling out and growing plump. Her heart ached with love. Annie couldn't believe she'd ever imagined giving her up. For the first time in her life, Annie felt as if she belonged. She belonged to someone, and someone belonged to her. A tear rose in her eye and slid down her cheek. The love she felt for her child was so overpowering that she hadn't ever imagined a love like this was possible.

There was a soft knock at the door, and Dylan walked inside. A flush of love and gratitude washed over her. He had been by her side every second, not asking for anything, giving her everything he had. They hadn't discussed the adoption arrangement or their relationship status. The only concern either of them had was the health of their child. And she couldn't express how much she appreciated him and everything he'd done for her.

“I was making soup,” he said. “Are you hungry?”

“Yes. I would love that.”

After her daughter was finished with her lunch, Annie carried her into the living room and placed her in the swing that she enjoyed.

Dylan turned on soft classical music. He had set the dining room table with the bowls of soup and crusty French bread. She slipped into a chair and took a tentative bite of the homemade stew. It was so good that she groaned with contentment.

“Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“From my mom on the ranch. Austin brought Shane some meat for the freezer. And I've stocked yours up, as well.”

“It's so good. It's just what I need to regain my strength.”

She stared down at the bowl of beef stew and sliced a soft carrot in half. She knew they would have to talk about their arrangement. She had no idea how to express herself or say the words, but there was no point in