Faithful (Wanted 3)

Gunner doesn’t know yet.

I winked at her and then turned back to Ari, who was humming as she fed Grace.

I glanced around the room at everyone. I couldn’t wait to see Josh and Heather’s babies, and I really couldn’t wait to see all the kids running around and playing on the ranch. My heart swelled up with so much love and pride as I looked at each person in this room. There wasn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do for any of them.

Leaning over, I kissed Ari and then Grace.

Ari glanced up at me with tears in her eyes. “By the grace of God, he gave us hope. In that belief, we were blessed with our baby girl. ”

“Grace Hope,” Ari and I said together.

“I thought the birth of Luke could never be topped, but life just keeps getting better and better. I owe that to you, Ari. I love you more than life itself. ”

As Ari handed me Grace, she smiled. “I love you, Jeff. Thank you for making all my dreams come true. ”

I walked around the room with my baby girl. I dreamed about taking her fishing, going hunting, and teaching her how to shoot a gun. I couldn’t wait…but I could wait. I wanted to enjoy every single moment with her. “I have big dreams for you, sweetheart. Big dreams. ”

Gunner walked up and smiled as he glanced down at Grace. Then, he looked around and back at me. “Dude, does Ari have a plan for introducing Scarlet to the baby?”

Oh Jesus H. Christ. I wanted Ari to forget all about that. “Keep your voice down, Gun. I don’t want to remind Ari. I’m paying Dewey to take Scarlet on a little ride once we get home with Grace. ”

“A ride?” Gunner asked.

I looked back over toward Ari. She was now holding Maegan and talking to Amanda, Ellie, and Brad.

“Yeah…I arranged for Scarlet to go to a doggy boot camp for a week. They’re going to train her to do all kinds of shit she should already know how to do. Sit, heel, walk, roll over—whatever the fuck they do at those places. I bought myself at least a week. ”

Gunner shook his head. “Motherfucker. Why didn’t I think of that?”

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. “I’m smarter?”

Gunner just looked at me. “Hardly. ”

“Jeff?” Ari called out.

I turned and smiled at her. “Yeah, babe?”

“Before I forget to tell you, I told Dewey to cancel that whole doggy boot camp thing. Scarlet needs to be home to meet Grace,” Ari said with a shit-eating grin on her face.

How in the hell does she know these things?

Gunner busted out laughing as he gently slapped me on the back.

“Damn…I love your wife. ” He walked over to Ellie and kissed her.

I stared over at Ari. She gave me a wink before she raised her eyebrow at me.

I shook my head as I looked down at Grace. “Remember this, baby girl. Nothing gets by your mama. ”

I peeked up and just watched as Ari laughed and talked to our friends.

Yep, I love her more than life itself.

Chapter Fifty-Two

As we pulled up to the house, I saw my mother and father standing on the porch with Luke. He started jumping up and down while clapping his hands.

Jeff parked the truck and let out a sigh as Scarlet came running up to the truck. “If that damn dog makes a move, I’m gonna kick the shit out of her. ”