Page 25 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Elf

I gasp, realizing that I have. The news came a few weeks ago that I was accepted into a college program. I want to become a veterinarian and help animals. In the meantime, Hunter and I are setting up a dog kennel that we’re building on our land. We’ve been so busy that I didn’t even notice when I skipped.

“What do I do?” I ask Joy, like she’s the big sister and I’m the younger one.

“Do you have any pregnancy tests?”

“No, Hunter and I have never even had a pregnancy scare,” I admit. He’s always talking about having children, but we never decided on a timeline.

“OK, not to worry,” she says. She takes her phone and quickly sends a text message. “Ford can swing by with a pregnancy test, and we’ll figure this out.”

Even as she says the words, I’m already certain. The knowledge is so strong within me. I press my hand to my belly, excitement bubbling up. This is the start of the big family that we want so much.

“It’s not possible,” I whisper. “A girl couldn’t get this lucky—getting married and finding out she’s pregnant on the same day. It’s like every dream is coming true all at once.”

I pace back and forth while we wait for Ford to arrive with the pregnancy test.

“Let’s just work on your makeup for a few minutes,” Joy finally says, forcing me to settle down. “I’ll get Mom and Emma. Try to relax.”

Mom and Emma May chat together excitedly as they help me apply my makeup. But I barely say a word. I’m so excited and nervous. I can’t wait to tell Hunter. Maybe I’ll tell him tonight after our guests are gone.

The front door crashes open in the living room, and the sound of the dogs scrambling across the hardwood floor has me up and racing to see what the commotion is. The other women are close behind me.

In the living room is Hunter, barreling straight toward me with Ford close on his heels. He looks at Joy. “Sorry.”

Joy says, “He must have been with Hunter when he got the text message.”

“I saw it,” Hunter says, confirming our conversation. He holds up a brown paper bag, hope and trepidation flashing in his eyes. He passes me two large bottles of water and instructs me to drink them right now.

“What’s going on?” mom asks.

“My wife is pregnant,” Hunter growls.

The other two women gasp.

“We don’t know that yet,” Joy points out.

I set the waters down, giving my almost-husband an amused look. He’s so bossy, and I love it. I take the brown bag from him and turn to our family. “Just give us a minute.”

Then I grab Hunter and drag him down the hall. He tries to come into the bathroom with me, but I make him wait outside while I pee on the stick. When I’m done, I call him back into the room.

He fastens his gaze on that little piece of plastic, staring at with unblinking concentration.

“I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. I mean, I know it can because we haven’t exactly worried about protection, but I just assumed it would be months to years of trying.”

He reaches for my hands, eyes still on the plastic and squeezes my fingers. “I need you to know that either way, I’m happy. I’m happy if we have kids now. I’m happy if we have them later. Most of all, I’m just happy that I’m getting to marry you.”

“I love you,” I whisper. I’m not nervous about the test. I already know the answer is positive. There’s a deep knowing in my heart.

Still, when Hunter sees the positive sign, he lets out a whoop. He puts his hands on my hips and pulls me close, pressing a feather-light kiss on my forehead. “We’re having a baby.”

I smile as his beard tickles my face. “Yeah, we’re having a baby.”

After we leave the bathroom, there’s a round of congratulations from our families. It takes an hour to calm everyone down then Joy is sending the boys away so we can finish getting ready.

The sun is setting by the time we repeat our vows underneath the snow-covered trees on the mountain. The twinkle lights that Emma May and my mom strung through the branches reflect off the snow, lighting up the night.

Nate and Ford stand near Hunter, looking just as delighted for him. All of them have found forever with their own curvy woman, and my heart fills that my baby is going to have aunts and uncles.

When I step next to Hunter and take his hand in mine, the dogs move from where they were with the groomsmen to settle at my feet. They’ve been extra protective lately, and part of me wonders if they sensed it somehow, this precious little life I’m now carrying.

“I love you,” Hunter mouths as the officiant begins the ceremony.

My heart soars as I promise to love this rough and rugged mountain man in front of me. I don’t know everything the future holds for us, but I know it will be filled with more love than I ever thought possible.