* * *
RYDER CLIMBED OUT of the truck, watching her with a full heart. The look on her face made every early morning and late night working worth it. He smiled as she said something to her stomach, her hands smoothing her yellow shirt into place. She walked to the tree house, her long hair and white skirts blowing in the breeze, as she circled the base of the tree. He followed her, equal parts excitement and anxiety. Trying to give the woman he loved her childhood dream was no small thing.
“You’re amazing.” Her voice shook, heavy with emotion. “It’s too much.”
“No, it’s not.” He brushed the hair from her shoulder.
She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. The swell of her belly brought out a fierce protectiveness in him. And a sense of peace he’d never felt before. That night, seeing her in that hospital bed, put everything into perspective. Annabeth and Cody were all that mattered—and the twins. No matter what, if he had them life was pretty damn good.
Her voice was muffled against his chest. “Cody is going to be thrilled.”
“I hope so. He’s gotten pretty attached to Dad.” Ryder breathed deep, drawing her scent in. “As much as I’d like to take all the credit, it was a family project. And my brothers had their own opinion on a lot of things. My dad, too.” But working toward this, building their family, had brought him closer to his dad than ever before. “Hope we got it right.”
“Are you kidding?” She looked up at him. “It’s perfect, Ryder.”
He grinned. He’d be content to stay just like this, holding her close. But there was more to show her. “We’re not done yet. Come on.” He let her go, then took her hand in his.
Each room had been completely redone. He’d refinished the floors, repaired the wiring, removed a few walls to open the place up and repainted every square inch. Once that was done, he’d brought over whatever furniture they could salvage from her house. He’d added a few new additions, like the china hutch that displayed her grandmother’s china.
“Made sure all the doors are handicap-accessible, too,” he murmured, watching the sheer amazement on her lovely face. “For Flo’s Sunday dinners. I figure we could rotate between here and the Lodge so Dad’s included.”
“Ryder...” She walked through the house, opening and closing cabinets and doors. He showed her downstairs, the things he’d pulled from Flo’s storage unit, her house and contributions from his family, too. It was truly their home.
He showed her the bed he and John had built for Cody from car parts. “It’s safe, no sharp edges, promise.” He ran his hand along the steering wheel. “Thought he’d get a kick out of it.”
“This is amazing. He will... He will flip.” She shook her head.
He led her down the hall to the babies’ room, pushing open the door. He’d asked Josie for help and his sister-in-law had delivered. The walls were covered in a gorgeous mural of fairy-tale castles and nursery-rhyme characters.
“A princess.” She glanced at one of the details.
He smiled broadly. “Of course.”
“So this must be you?” She pointed at the knight on a white horse.
Ryder shook his head. “Dad wanted you to know he made sure we followed the crib instructions. He hovered every second, double-checking our work. I thought Archer was going to pop a gasket.”
Annabeth was sniffing when she faced him. “Ryder, how...? When...?”
“Every spare second.” He shrugged.
“But...” She shook her head, looking around the nursery. “It’s so much work.”
“I don’t mind working.” He grinned. “I think we all enjoyed it.”
“It’s too much.”
“Not for you, Princess.”
She shook her head, her gaze traveling slowly over his face. “Since the night you proposed, you’ve done nothing but take care of me and Cody.” She paused. “No, since before that.”
He cupped her cheek, staring into her huge hazel eyes. “I’ve loved you a long time, Annabeth.”
Her eyes closed briefly. “I’m sorry.” She paused and his heart seemed to stop. “I’m so sorry I haven’t shown you the same love and respect you give me, every day.” She swallowed, covering his hand with hers. “But I’ll spend the next thirty or so years trying to make up for it, I promise.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye. “It scares me how much I love you, Ryder Boone.”
His heart thudded against his chest, filling his body with real happiness. He’d wanted that for so long, but never dared to hope. Hope was a dangerous thing.
“But what scares me more is you not knowing that. I guess I was scared that telling you would change things. That it wou