Page 126 of Finding Peace
“Mhm,” he hums, brushing his knuckles along my thigh. “Maybe.” His gaze softens as it drops to my stomach before coming back up to my face. “You feelin’ okay today?”
“I’m good.”
“Baby behavin’?”
“For now. I’m sure as soon as I lie down for bed later, he or she will be wide awake.”
Every day that passes, the flutters come more often.
Beau grins. “Smart kid.”
“Must not be yours then,” Jasper grumbles. Beau doesn’t hesitate to reach out and backhand him in the chest.
Across the kitchen, Lawson slides the last piece of steak onto a platter and wipes his hands on a towel. “Alright. Dinner’s ready.”
And as easily as he put me up here, Beau lifts me and carries me over to the dining room table.
Dinner ends the way Sunday dinners around here usually do—slow, warm, and full of quiet conversations, full bellies, and love.
The plates have been pushed aside, the last of the gravy on my plate wiped up with the final piece of bread, and the five of us are still sitting around the big wooden table—none of us in a hurry to move.
My finger absentmindedly rubs the scuff on the edge where I’m sitting.
Last week I dropped a plate, and when it fell to its inevitable demise, it scratched the wood along the way. Not only did I feel terrible about breaking a plate, but I felt even worse over the scratch.
Lawson didn’t hesitate to smile widely as he told me,“It’s alright, Honey. That’s what this table is for. You’re part of it now. Just like the rest of this place.”
He then proceeded to point out a handful of other nicks and scratches in the wood, all while telling me the stories attached to each of them.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make my heart swell.
I can’t wait until this baby is lucky enough to make their mark on it too.
Looking around their table, I take my time eyeing up all four of my men. Jasper is leaned back in his chair on two legs, balancing like Lawson hasn’t told him a thousand timesnotto do that. Beau’s elbowrests on the table while he spins his fork between his fingers, laughing at something Jasper just said. Lawson sits beside me, broad and steady, his shoulder brushing mine every time either of us shifts.
And when I look at Lincoln, he winks before pushing back his chair. “Be right back.”
None of us questions it as he walks toward his office. He’s only inside it for a second or two before he’s on his way back with a thick file folder in hand.
The other three sit forward and refocus their attention on him as he retakes his seat.
My brows pinch. “What’s that?”
Lincoln doesn’t answer right away. Instead, his expression remains calm as he nods to his older brother.
Lawson’s hand settles on my thigh, and I glance over at him just as he turns slightly toward me. “Abigail,” he says quietly. Something in his tone lets me know this is important. His thumb brushes steadily against my leg as he continues. “This place… this ranch…” His gaze drifts briefly around the house before coming back to me. “It would never feel like home again without you in it. If you ever left, it wouldn’t be the same. Not for any of us.”
I look around to find three sets of eyes, not on the man speaking, but on me.
“You’re part of our family now. This baby is our family.” His hand slides gently to my stomach. “Willow Creek ranch is your home, Abigail.”
Tears burn in my eyes before I can stop them.
Lincoln clears his throat softly before opening the file folder and sliding it across the table toward me. His eyes bore into mine as he says, “Which is why we want you to own part of it.”
The words knock the air out of me.
My eyes bounce between the folder and the four men sitting at this table.
