The Bachelor's Little Bonus (Proposals & Promises 3)

“Same here,” Cole admitted with a faint smile. “But I’m looking forward to the experience.”

Stevie was sure Gavin and Scott had been filled in on the details of her pregnancy. It pleased her that they were treating it with such equanimity. For Cole’s sake, especially, she was relieved that there was no awkwardness in the discussion of impending parenthood.

“We’ve already started working on our nursery,” Jenny said, reaching out to take Gavin’s hand. “We know we have plenty of time yet, but there’s quite a bit to do. With our busy schedules, we’ll have to work on it whenever we get a little extra time. Fortunately, Gavin’s very handy around the house. All that work he’s done at his fishing cabin has given him a lot of carpentry experience.”

“What about you, Stevie?” Tess asked. “Have you thought about your nursery yet?”

“Yes.” She mentioned the bedroom she’d decided upon. Familiar with her house, everyone nodded in approval. “Cole and I are still working out details. We’d like to have a guest room, but I’m using the third bedroom for an office. Cole is having to use the office at his house next door, which is inconvenient and impractical. It’s possible we’ll sell both our houses and try to find one that will better accommodate our needs.”

Scott frowned thoughtfully. “You have a great house—classic mid-50s bungalow. And the neighborhood is good. If you want to stay there, you should consider some renovations. You could remodel the attic into two decent-sized home offices with plenty of built-in storage. I have a few connections in residential work if you want to proceed. I could have my architect draw up a plan and an estimate for you.”

Intrigued, Stevie glanced at Cole, who gave her a gesture that told her he considered this more her decision than his. She frowned, but smoothed the expression quickly. True, it was still technically her house, but a remodel like this would certainly affect him, too.

For some reason, she thought of that tense moment in the baby store in Branson, when she’d been so determined to assert her financial independence. Had that moment of obstinacy really been for his sake—or for her own? They’d never talked about the incident afterward. Had she gone too far with her insistence that she hadn’t married him for monetary assistance? Had he taken away the message that she wanted him to be hands-off in other areas of their lives, as well? Their home—even this child? That hadn’t been her intention at all. She’d have to find the right time to have that discussion with him, and she’d have to do a better job of expressing her concerns without hurting his male pride.

“I’d like to think about it,” she said, looking at Scott again. “It’s definitely a possibility and one I hadn’t yet considered. Thanks for the suggestion.”

“How long would a renovation like that take?” Cole asked, and Stevie was pleased he seemed interested, at least.

“From plans to completion, maybe six, seven weeks, assuming everything goes smoothly.”

“So it could be finished before August?”

Scott considered a moment, then shrugged lightly. “I should think so.”

Cole nodded. “Definitely something to think about.”

The conversation moved on, skipping from renovations and babies to wedding plans. Gavin was still on night shift rotation, so he had to leave not long afterward, and the party came to an end with hugs and kisses all around and promises to get together often. Stevie thought Jenny and Tess looked a bit more reassured about her marriage to Cole now that they’d spent more time with him, but

she knew they still worried. They loved her. They wanted her to be happy. They wished for her what they’d found for themselves, even though she had assured them she was content with what she’d found.

She frowned. The word didn’t feel quite right in her mind. Was “contentment” all she truly wanted with him? Or—she swallowed—was it the best she could expect?

A short while later, she and Cole walked into their home, placing their gifts on the kitchen counter to be put away later.

“Well?” Stevie said, reaching down to pick up Dusty and snuggle her beneath her chin, asking Cole, “You liked Scott and Gavin, huh?”

“Sure. They seem like great guys.”

“Did I hear that you and Gavin have some mutual friends?”

“Yeah, through the gym and dojo. Not that big a surprise. For a medium-sized city, Little Rock’s a small world in some ways. I’m sure Scott and I would find a mutual acquaintance or two if we put our heads to it hard enough.”

“Probably.” Feeling suddenly overwarm, she put down the cat and tugged off the oversized cardigan she’d worn over a black shirt and leggings. She pressed a hand to her middle. “I think maybe I ate a little too much today. Peanut’s not used to so much good food at once.”

Cole stepped toward her, searching her face. “Are you ill?”

She held him off with one raised hand. “No. Just a little unsettled, that’s all.”

“I’ll make you some peppermint tea.”

“That sounds good, but I can—” Too late. He was already headed for the stove.

Shaking her head, she went into the bedroom to hang up her sweater. She was tempted to put on her pj’s and get comfortable since she had no intention of leaving the house again that day, but it was still a little early. Not even dinnertime yet. If Cole weren’t there, she’d say the heck with the time and “jammie,” anyway, but...

She growled as she realized the direction her thoughts had drifted. Why was she treating him like a guest in the home she’d thought of as his, too, only an hour or so earlier? If she wanted to wear pajamas before dinner, she should do so. She wasn’t going to walk around in tatters, but she had some cute lounging clothes, and darn if she wasn’t going to get comfortable in her own—in their own home.

“Your tea is ready.” Cole stood in the doorway a few minutes later, watching her as she examined herself in the full-length mirror. “Are you okay?”