Page 29 of Promised to the Cowboy

“My heart’s going faster than the baby’s was,” I admit.

He looks across at me, one eyebrow lifting. “I don’t know. Our baby set a pretty high bar.”

Our baby.

The words finally land.

Notthebaby. Notyourbaby. Not evenmybaby.

Our baby.

The air leaves my lungs.

Four months ago, we were two strangers passing through the same town.

One night. One motel room. One unforgettable night that has somehow become a heartbeat.

Wonder hits me so fast it almost hurts—closely followed by a million questions.

How is this going to work?

Where am I going to sleep?

What happens when Jacob comes home?

What if Gabriel wakes up tomorrow and realizes this is all too much?

What if?—

“Evie.”

Gabriel’s voice is quiet.

I hadn’t realized I’d stopped breathing.

Without a word, he opens his arms.

I don’t hesitate.

I fold into him, and he wraps me up against his chest as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. One hand settles between my shoulder blades, warm and steady, while the other cups the back of my head.

“I’ve got you,” he murmurs.

I close my eyes. His heartbeat is slow and steady beneath my ear.

“So many things have to happen now,” I whisper.

“I know.”

“We need to figure out... everything.”

“We will.”

“We need to tell your family.”

“We do.”

I lean back enough to look at him. “Actually...”