Page 144 of Promised to the Cowboy

Kitty makes a strangled noise.

Tom begins backing away.

I point at him. “You.”

“I can explain.”

“There was one rule.”

“He followed me.”

“She’s wearing a ribbon.”

Tom glances down. The goat has a pink ribbon tied around her neck.

Maggie closes her eyes.

Max screams with delight.

The goat lunges for the bottom tier of the cake. Daniel catches the stand. Shay grabs the plate. Wire intercepts Cheese Puff by grabbing her ribbon.

For several seconds, the entire wedding becomes shouting, laughter, frosting, and one determined goat.

Gabriel bends over, laughing so hard he presses a hand to his chest.

My joy vanishes. “Gabe?”

He straightens immediately. “I’m fine.”

“You sure?”

His hand covers mine and moves it over his heart. Steady. Strong. “I’m sure.”

I’m not sure the fear will ever disappear, but his heart is beating, our family is laughing, and our daughter is kicking beneath my ribs.

This is not the life I imagined when I left Gabriel sleeping before dawn. It’s louder. Messier. More frightening. More beautiful.

He looks at me. “My wife.”

I rise onto my toes and kiss him. “My husband.”

Around us, the lights glow warmer as evening settles over Stoneridge. Every person Ruth somehow knew was coming fills the barn, the yard, the porch, and every empty space this family once carried.

I used to think home was somewhere you stopped moving. I was wrong. Home is the place you are allowed to arrive exactly as you are.

Afraid, imperfect, and still welcomed.

Epilogue

Gabriel

Seven weeks later

Evie grips my hand through another contraction.

The room is too bright and too warm. Full of monitors, calm voices, and people who keep telling me everything is progressing exactly as it should.

My heart refuses to believe them.