Page 50 of A Bride for Brodie

“Do you still want to name her Tara?”

Lottie smiled up at him. “Yes, I think Tara is a wonderful Irish name and perfect for our baby girl. And Jeanette for my mother, who, despite being married to my father, was a wonderful, kind woman and mother.” She returned her gaze to the baby, who now squirmed and made little squeaky cries. “Oh, sweetie, Mama’s sorry. She kept you uncovered for too long, didn’t she?” Lottie quickly swaddled her back up.

Tara quit crying and looked up at her parents. A little bubble formed on her rosebud-shaped lips.

Her mother giggled.

Brodie chuckled and swept his hand over her now-dry curls. “Look. She’s got curly hair. I can’t believe how soft it is.”

Lottie ran a finger lightly over Tara’s cheek. “She’s soft all over.” She looked up at Brodie. “Will you get some petroleum jelly at The General Store the next time you go, please? I want to keep her skin soft and protected in this dry Arizona heat. Thankfully, we don’t live in the desert.”

He covered her little head with his hand. “I’ll get it. Look how little she is. My hand covers her entire head. Tara Jeanette Campbell. I like it. I can’t wait until she talks.”

Lottie burst out a laugh. “Let’s give her a chance to be a baby first.”

“I just want to hear her call me Daddy, that’s all.”

Lottie reached up, placed a hand around Brodie’s neck, and brought him down for a kiss. “I love you, Brodie Campbell. You’ve given me more than I ever thought possible. Who would have thought that going to prison would bring me the most wonderful life I could have ever asked for?”

Brodie smiled and kissed her again. “Or bring me my heart. I didn’t know I was missing it until I found you.”

Her eyes filled with tears at his words. Happy tears because she understood his sentiment since it was her own, too. She looked down at little Tara. The culmination of their love. The proof that they were better now than ever before.

“Thank you for loving me.” His voice was soft, quiet.

She brought him down for another kiss and, just before their lips met, she whispered, “Always.”