sigh. “And to think…I always assumed you to be without fault.”
“I don’t want to be on a pedestal, love.” He leaned forward to whisper. “I’d much rather be in your bed doing raunchy things with you.” When he saw the lovelight shining in her eyes, he cut a bite of the cake and lifted the fork to her lips. “Here, be sweet. Eat this.”
She complied as he took a bite for himself – and groaned. “God, this is good. And rich. I take back the chintzy part.”
“Good.” While she drank her wine, Journey leaned back on one arm to let the breeze filter through her hair. “This is nice.”
“It is.” He pushed the food aside and lay down to place his head in her lap. “I’ve never been more content. You make me feel peaceful. Happy.”
She stroked his hair, gazing at his beloved face. “I feel the same way. Complete.”
“That’s right.” He agreed. “I feel that too.” After a little while, he looked up into her face. “When we get home, I want you to take the test for me. I want to know if you’re pregnant.”
“All right.” Journey felt a bit of unease edge through her middle. Before she could call them back, she blurted out a question she’d never intended to ask. “Is it going to make a difference?”
Reno sat up, trying to hear what she wasn’t saying. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, but to answer the question you asked – yes, yes it will make a difference.”
“It will?”
Taking her hand, he looked into her eyes. “I want to know so I can rejoice in the knowledge that my child exists. I want to know so I can pamper the mother of my child – above and beyond what pampering I intend to give you already. I want to know so I can begin to prepare myself to be the best father I could possibly be.”
“Okay. Okay. I get it.”
Her admission came before he’d said everything he had to say. “Wait. I’m not finished, Journey. What this knowledge will not affect is that I can’t possibly adore you more than I already do. It also doesn’t change the fact that our courtship, in my estimation…” He gave her a teasing grin. “Has been an unmitigated success.”
She cast her gaze down, seeming to be a bit embarrassed. “You knew I got a little vexed?”
“Yes.” He put a finger under her chin to lift her face high enough for him to look into her eyes. “Not a moment of our time together has been wasted. I have greedily noted every little thing about you. I have memorized your beautiful face.” Reno kissed her lips gently. “The image of your heavenly body is enshrined in my heart forever. And I’ve mentally catalogued every facet of your personality. Every like. Every dislike. Every mood. Every hope. Every dream. And every desire.”
By the time his eloquent speech was finished, all of Journey’s doubts were completely banished. “During our time together, I have learned to trust my judgement. You are everything I ever dreamed of – and more.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When they returned to the ranch, any thought of the pregnancy test flew from their minds. There were two more cars in the driveway than when they left. “Well, our solitude is over, Reno. Lou and Aunt Myra are both here.”
They’d just entered through the garden gate when Lou’s voice met their ears. “They’re here, Myra! You can tell the police they’re fine.”
Journey frowned at her friend. “The police?”
Lou shrugged both shoulders as she gave them both a hug. “Myra was worried. She called the Fredericksburg police to make sure those men who attacked you were still behind bars.”
“Are they?” Journey asked as she stepped ahead of them to open the kitchen door.
“Yes. They’re in county lock-up. Oh, and the detective said he sent you a form to fill out via email.”
“Okay, I’ll look for it.” Journey made a mental note.
“So, where have you been?” Lou asked as she went to stand by the dining table where her laptop lay with its lid raised and the charge light blinking.
Reno held up the wicker basket. “We went on a picnic. What did you find out?”
She held his gaze for a couple of moments. “Quite a bit.”
Reno waited for her to elaborate, but she didn’t. About that time, Myra could be heard entering the room with the dogs at her heels.
Journey watched as she came fully into the kitchen, her eyes firmly glued on Reno. “For