Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
He laughs. “Eat first.”
I start to eat, and after a few bites, he opens the paper and starts to read.
“It’s true. Elliott Barnett is off the market.”
He pauses and looks at me, and a smile starts to form on my face. Okay, so far so good. And just as quickly, I frown, wondering if somewhere in the article it’s going to call me a homewrecker. “Go on,” I tell him.
He continues to read. “We got it straight from the source. That’s right, Mr. Elliott Barnett, millionaire rancher, agreed to an interview, and we got the scoop. The lovely woman on his arm in the picture is Camille Trotter….”
He continues to read, and it talks about how we met and he hired me from the Feed Haven because he had to get close to me. It’s all the truth, but it’s how it happened through Elliott’s eyes instead of any of the negatives.
“And when asked if there are wedding bells in the future, Mr. Barnett says absolutely. We’re excited to bring our son or daughter into the world and we’re concentrating on that right now but as soon as I think she’ll say yes, that’s the first question I’ll ask her.”
He waves his hand across the paper. “And it goes on to talk about the history of the ranch and Maddie’s going to be excited because it mentions her and Rhett’s whirlwind romance too.”
I push the tray of food to the side and lean up. “You just told the world you plan on marrying me.”
He smiles and nods. “I told you that these last few days if you’ve been listening.”
I put my hand over my belly. “And you claimed my child.”
He looks unsure. “Is that okay? Maybe I should have talked to you about it first. I’m sorry—”
I cut him off. “Don’t apologize. After these last few days, you have to know I’m okay with it. I love you, Elliott. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m scared.”
He wraps his hands around mine. “I’m scared too. I’m scared that you’ll get spooked again and leave me. I’m scared that you’ll change your mind about me, and I’m scared that—”
I cut him off. “I won’t leave again. You’ll have to run me off because that’s the only way I’ll leave, and even then, I’m going to fight to keep you, Elliott Barnett.”
He leans his forehead against mine. “I love you, Camille Trotter.”
I grab the front of his shirt and pull him until I’m lying down with him on top of me. The tray jostles next to us, and Elliott moves it to the floor before resuming our positions. I search his eyes, and all I see is love shining back at me.
“I love you too, Bear.”
EPILOGUE
ELLIOTT
For months I thought I was ready for this. I thought I was ready for Cammy to give birth to our baby girl, but as soon as her little blue eyes looked up at me, I realized I wasn’t ready for anything. I’m doing my best not to freak out, but there’s no guarantee that it’s not going to happen.
In one afternoon, this little girl has become our whole world, and I’m so afraid I’m going to mess up. She’s so tiny. A lot smaller than when my nephew was born, and I’m already so protective of her that I can just imagine how it’s going to be from now on.
I have one hand on Katie’s small back and the other on Cammy’s shoulder. There’s a calm surrounding us after what was a chaotic morning. Cammy provided such a good home, Katie was wanting to stay in the womb a little longer, and so the doctor scheduled her for an induction today.
I’ve never felt as useless as I did today when Camille’s body would pull taut in pain, and all I could do was try to hold her and whisper encouraging words to her. I would have given anything to take the pain away from her. After hours, Katie finally came into the world, and it seems everyone has come in to see the newest addition to our family.
Rhett and Maddie both came to meet their new niece and spoiled her with hugs, kisses, and stuffed animals. It’s only now, after everyone is gone and when it’s just the three of us that it all starts to set in.
“You okay?” I ask Camille.
She blinks up at me in exhaustion. “I’m good. I’m tired, but I’m good.”
I sit down on the side of the bed and try not to disturb our sleeping daughter. I suck in a breath, trying to keep my emotions in check and it comes out in a shudder.
Camille searches my face. “What about you? How you holding up, Dad?”
When she calls me that, it hits me, and I suck in a deep breath and let it out really slowly. I can’t even get the words out, so I nod my head.