Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
“I’m so freaking glad,” I exclaim as excitement bursts through the soreness.
“Just remember, take it easy for a bit. Your body has been through a lot, so don’t push it,” he advises, making notes on the chart before looking back at me.
“Of course,” I agree, hardly able to contain my smile. “Thank you!”
It doesn’t take long for us to be discharged with a pile of paperwork and instructions. As we drive back to his house, the familiar landscape of Silver Spoon Falls rolls past. The sun is shining bright, casting a soft golden glow, and warms up the winter day. I glance over at Ashton, who’s casually driving with both hands on the wheel, the tension from earlier days replaced with relief.
Once we arrive at his house, I step inside and let the warmth envelop me like a favorite blanket. “Welcome home,” he says with an affectionate grin, kicking off his shoes and leading me to the living room. “Sit there and relax while I make us something for lunch.”
With the fire crackling softly in the background, I sit back on the comfy sofa and fall fast asleep. A while later, I wake up to the faint scent of something delicious wafting in from the kitchen. “What’s cooking?” I ask, curiosity piquing as I wander toward the comforting smell.
Ashton looks up from the stove and smirks. “I ordered lasagna from the 5th Avenue Diner.” He shrugs and reaches into the refrigerator to grab the pitcher of cold water. “They make the best lasagna around.” He pours a glass and hands it to me. “Sit down and talk to me while I plate our dinner.”
I sit at the breakfast bar, half-amused and completely grateful. “You really don’t have to wait on me like this. I’m not an invalid.”
“I know you aren’t, but I’m going to make sure you take it easy for the next several days.” He winks and turns around to grab the lasagna from the oven.
As the days pass, I find myself settling into this new routine. Ashton is utterly devoted. He anticipates my needs, fusses over me, and even brings me decaffeinated coffee in bed each morning with a goofy smile plastered across his face.
“Breakfast is served!” he announces one morning, entering my room with a tray piled high with pancakes, fresh fruit, and bacon. The sight makes me all warm and fuzzy inside until he hands me a cup of coffee. For some reason, the smell alone sends me rushing to the bathroom.
Ashton kneels down next to me as I dry heave over the toilet. “Are you okay?” He lifts up my hair and runs a wet washcloth over the back of my neck while his child makes his presence known.
“I’m peachy,” I mutter as my stomach finally starts to settle.
“Let’s get you back to bed.” He helps me to my feet, and I place a hand on his chest.
“Wait.” I halt him. “Can you get rid of the coffee before I come out?” His eyes widen as he realizes my favorite thing in the whole world turns my stomach now that I’m pregnant.
“Fuck.” He winces and rushes out of the bathroom to do as I asked.
By the time he comes back, I’ve snuggled back under the covers. I stick my nose out and grumble, “I can’t believe your child won’t let me have coffee.”
“I’m sorry.” He sits on the edge of the bed and teases me, “Don’t worry. We’ll remind him of it every time he gets in trouble.”
“Yes, we will.”
“I love you, gorgeous.”
“I love you, too.” I smile at him as happiness flows through me. “But going without coffee for the next nine months is going to suck.”
“I’ll put the coffee maker away. If you can’t have coffee, I won’t either.” He lifts my hand to his lips.
“You don’t have to do that.” I know he needs caffeine to survive his busy days at the sheriff’s department.
“Yes, I do. We’re in this together,” he insists and my love grows deeper in that instant.
“Forever.”
Epilogue
ASHTON
I wake up to the soft, tranquil sound of someone snoring lightly next to me. The way the morning light filters through the curtains paints everything in a muted golden glow, and I can’t help but smile as I crack open my eyes, my heart swelling with love.
My wife’s hair spills over my chest, wild and messy, and her face is peaceful with her plump lips slightly parted. It’s a scene I never get tired of, this moment of quiet before the chaos of our day begins. I know she’s exhausted from the busy week of juggling her mobile dog grooming business, plus keeping our four-year-old daughter and one-year-old son out of trouble.
After the accident, we decided to replace her damaged van, but she didn’t start grooming dogs again until Jessie, our oldest, was a year old. Even though she only works two days a week, we’re finding it difficult to keep up with the two busy kids and everything else. Most nights, we fall into bed too exhausted to do much more than fall instantly asleep.