Page 23 of Bringing Home A Cowboy

I clear my throat, catching everyone’s attention. “Before we eat and open gifts, there’s one more thing we should celebrate.”

James looks up from the carving knife, brow furrowed, a faint grin tugging at his mouth. “Something I don’t know about?”

“Not for long.” I cross the room and stop in front of him. “We’ve got another reason to give thanks this Christmas,” I say softly.

He stops carving and studies me. “Liv…”

I take his hand and press it flat to my stomach. My voice shakes when I whisper, “July.”

For a moment, the world holds its breath. Then I watch realization hit him full-force. His jaw slackens, eyes going wide, then bright with something I’ll never forget.

“You’re …?”

I nod, tears burning, smiling so hard my cheeks ache. “We’re having a baby, James.”

He laughs — a rough, joyous sound — and wraps me in his arms so tightly I almost lose my breath. The room erupts with cheers, Caroline squealing, my father clapping him on the back, my mother wiping her eyes.

James pulls back just enough to look at me, still grinning like the happiest man alive. “Guess I’d better build a crib.”

“Or maybe a whole nursery,” I tease, blinking back my tears.

He kisses my forehead, voice low against my hair. “You just gave me the best Christmas gift there is.”

The fire pops. Snow falls against the window in slow, sparkling silence. I lean into him, my heart so full it almost hurts.

“Merry Christmas, cowboy,” I whisper.

His arms tighten around me. “Merry Christmas, Mrs. Callahan.”

And right then, I know this is only the beginning. Love started as a contract, became a choice, and ended as a forever.

♥♥♥