Hitching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 1)

I place my ear to her stomach, waiting for a response. I don’t hear a thing, not even a tummy growl. Sitting up, I look at her. “I don’t think he’s going for it, baby. Might want to sweeten the pot.”

She groans again, leaning her head against the couch and readjusts the cold cloth on her head. “I think I want to take a bath in ice cubes,” she says, grunting. “I’m literally sweating in places I didn’t know could sweat, and this is all your fault.”

My eyes go wide. “It takes two to tango, honey. And you don’t seem to take no for an answer! Even when I’m sleeping!”

She laughs, a smile finally splitting her cheeks. “You’re right. But you didn’t warn me that all the Bishop babies have been giants. No, you conveniently left that part out, and Rowan had to share that lovely news with me, and then your mother confirmed. If I would’ve known that—”

I press my lips against hers, stopping her rant. “You still would’ve wanted all my babies.”

“Ugh.” She rolls her eyes. “You’re right, but dammit, I hate you right now.”

I pull her legs into my lap, and she repositions herself so I can gently massage her swollen feet. “It could be worse, though,” I tell her.

She leans up and scowls at me. “How so?”

“You could be having twins. Or hell, triplets. Runs in the family,” I remind her, smirking.

“Multiple ten-pound babies?” Her eyes widen as she falls back. “That sounds like divorce to me.”

I grin at her dramatics. “There’s always next time. Twin siblings would be cool, wouldn’t it, Zach?”

She grabs her stomach. “Oh my God! He kicked like he was answering you.”

Roaring laughter escapes me. “That’s my kid.”

“What am I gonna do with you two?” She beams, and I notice the sparkle in her eyes. It’s been there since the moment she found out she was pregnant.

“Love us unconditionally?”

She repositions herself and moves closer so she can kiss me, slow and passionately. “I already do, cowboy. And always will, for the rest of my life. Even when you knock me up with giant babies.”

“I love you so much,” I tell her, knowing my words will never be able to fully explain how much she means to me. Our relationship may have started with a dare, but it didn’t end in divorce. Zoey’s my everything, and though we had a rocky start, it was all worth it, and I wouldn’t change a thing.