Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels 1)

This moment couldn’t have been any more wonderful. Everything about it was perfect.

Then a wave of nausea rushed through me. I quickly sat up, jolting Steed awake. My hand covered my mouth, and I flew out of bed to rush to the bathroom. Dropping to the ground before the toilet, I threw up.

Wave after wave hit me, and it took me a moment to realize Steed was behind me, holding my hair back. After I had nothing left to throw up, dry heaves decided to make their appearance.

Finally, it stopped.

My stomach muscles ached, and my throat felt raw.

I groaned, and Steed handed me a hot washcloth. It felt so good when I pressed my face into it. Standing, I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom. The pleased expression he wore made my brows pinch together.

“I’m glad to see me getting sick has made you happy.”

He slowly shook his head before he pushed off and stepped close. Placing his hand over my stomach, I inhaled sharply. I didn’t want to get overly excited, but now I knew why he had been standing there with a goofy grin on his face.

“You don’t think?” I asked.

He shrugged. “It only takes one time.”

My hand covered his. Had we conceived a child that day at the cabin? The same cabin where we made love for the first time? The thought alone was so damn romantic it made my body tremble.

Steed lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me gently. His soft kisses moved to my jaw, along my neck, and to that sensitive area under my ear. “If you’re pregnant, do you realize what that means?”

My head dropped back as his lips moved back across my neck. “W-what? Does that mean?”

“We made this little miracle at the cabin, where we first made love.”

I grinned. “I thought the same thing only moments ago.”

His hands slipped behind my neck, pulling me close.

“You know what we have to do right now?”

With a giggle, I replied, “Drive into town for a pregnancy test?”

“Fuck yes!”

He pulled back, turned, and raced into the bedroom. “Paxton! Get dressed!”

Following his lead, I rushed to the bedroom and got dressed. I glanced at Steed and his eyes sparkled and gleamed. I was positive mine did the same. My chest felt light and even though I was still a bit nauseous, nothing could bring me down from this high.

Slipping my Converse shoes back on, Steed nearly toppled me when he grabbed my arm. “Come on, let’s go!”

I laughed. “Steed! Let me get my shoes on.”

He swept up my remaining shoe then grabbed me and cradled me in his arms. “You’re going entirely too slow, Pax.”

I couldn’t contain the happiness that bubbled out as Steed carried me to his truck. Gone were the two scared teenagers from ten years ago…

Setting me in the seat, Steed placed his hand on the side of my face and flashed me a sexy grin. I knew what he was thinking. Both of us were excited, yet afraid to get our hopes up.

My hand covered his. “No matter what happens, that day will always be special.”

Leaning in, he softly kissed my lips then added, “Yes, it will.”

My pulse raced as I pulled into the local drug store. Throwing my truck into park, I practically shouted, “Hold on! I’ll get your door!”

I jumped out and ran to Paxton’s side. She sat in the passenger seat with a wide grin. Opening the door, I reached in and scooped her up into my arms. Letting out a small yelp, she laughed.

“Steed, what in the world are you doing?”

“What? I want to you help you out of the truck.”

Narrowing her eyes at me, she shook her head. “I’m not incapable of getting out of the truck. Besides, we don’t know if I’m…” She looked around and whispered, “Pregnant.”

“Why are you whispering?” I asked, setting her down.

“Because there is a lot at stake if I am.”

My brow lifted. “Such as?”

“My job? Do you have any idea how they would frown at their kindergarten teacher being knocked up out of wedlock?”

“Fuck them!” I shouted as she slapped her hand over my mouth.

“Steed Jonathon Parker!”

I drew her into my chest. “Jesus, Pax. You calling me by my full name in that tone turns me on. Will you dress up like the naughty teacher, and I’ll be your bad boy student?”

Humor crossed her face.

“Paxton, how are you?”

The voice behind me made her expression drop, and she immediately jumped away from me.

“Mr. Hines. H-how are you?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I flashed a grin at the school principal—who also happened to be Paxton’s boss.

“I’m doing well. Ready for some turkey tomorrow. How about you?”

Paxton rubbed her stomach and let out a nervous chuckle. “Yes. Turkey and dressing. All that yummy food. So ready.”

I was positive he had no clue who I was, even though Mitchell and I had him for our eighth grade teacher, and we singlehandedly killed three class pets by accident that year. I remember him sending a letter home to my father stating that if we killed another class pet we were going to have to finish out eighth grade in in-school suspension.