Текст книги "Sweet Ride"
Автор книги: Cathryn Fox
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Текущая страница: 5 (всего у книги 5 страниц)
Epilogue
One year later
Down on her hands and knees, Alix picked the last yellow bean from her little garden and put it in the straw basket beside her. She was about to turn her attention to the ripe cherry tomatoes, perfect for tonight’s barbecue with their friends, when a shadow fell over her, blocking the late-afternoon sun from her body and her plants.
“Hey, beautiful.”
Her heart missed a beat as she looked up to find Jag smiling at her. She glanced at his outstretched hand and placed hers in it. A little tug brought her to her feet, and when his gaze roamed over her face, a deep concern in his eyes, she went up on her tiptoes and planted a warm kiss on his mouth. God, she loved him so much.
“You look flushed.” He placed a palm on her cheek, his eyes narrowing. “I think you’ve been in the sun too long.”
She laughed. “I’m fine,” she assured him. Honest to God, these days he was like a mother hen. But she secretly liked all his attention, no matter how much she protested. His brow furrowed as his hand went to her belly. She shook her head and closed her hand over his. “We’re fine.”
“I have to take care of my girls,” he said, dropping to his knees to press a kiss to her bulging tummy. True to his word, he had made love to her nearly every day until she got pregnant. She hadn’t expected it to happen so fast, or at all, but was chalking it up to a miracle. She’d been taking it slow, careful, but the doctors said everything was looking good as she entered her third trimester.
Her stomach took that moment to rumble, and they both laughed. “She’s an eating machine,” Alix said.
“I have six steaks marinating, but maybe I should have put an extra one on for her.” He glanced at his watch, then grabbed her basket. His arm slid around her body, and he splayed his fingers over the small of her back in that possessive little way that always made her heart catch. “Come on. Let’s get you out of the sun.”
“I just want to grab some tomatoes.”
“Let me.”
Her hair fell down her back as she tilted her face to catch the last of the afternoon rays as Jag bent, plucked a few tomatoes, and placed them in the basket. A moment later, his hand captured hers and they leisurely walked to the front of the beautiful old homestead they’d slowly been making their home.
“Let’s sit for a bit,” she said, feeling a little winded with all the extra weight she was carrying. “We still have a few minutes before everyone comes.”
She climbed the steps, running her hand along the freshly painted handrail, the perfect rail for her daughter to slide down. She breathed in the fresh country air and stole a glance around the ranch. A small breath fluttered past her lips, a bone-deep contentment radiating through her body as she settled on the porch swing Jag had constructed for her. He sat beside her and held her hand, both lost in their own thoughts as they looked out over the sprawling land.
The last year hadn’t been all happy times and smooth sailing, but with Jag by her side, helping her deal with Nelson and her parents, it made it that much easier. At first she thought her mother and father were going to disown her, but they were slowly coming around and finally seeing Jag for the man he was. Her mother even talked about visiting and helping her with the baby. She turned, taking in Jag’s strong profile. He was such a sweet, caring man with more integrity in his pinkie finger than any of the men from her parents’ social circle.
Walking away from politics was the second-best thing she’d ever done. Marrying Jag was the first. Now, instead of running political campaigns, she helped run the kids’ courses on the ranch. She touched her stomach. Although this year, with a precious bundle to protect, she was more of a director. Next summer, she hoped to be hands-on. Thanks to Jag, she’d found her voice and her passion. Maybe someday she’d go back to school and earn that education degree she always wanted. Until then, she just wanted to enjoy her pregnancy, and life in the slow lane.
A noise sounded and they both turned to see Coop and Julia exiting the small cottage where Coop’s mom lived. Her Alzheimer’s was progressively getting worse, but with Julia by his side, it helped Coop cope. She waved to them as they made their way over. She scanned the gorgeous little house high up on the hill that Mac had built for Jess—a place with no internet, no distractions. One hundred percent unplugged. She loved that he had done that for her. She spotted them coming down the hill and waved.
“How about Lindsay?” Jag said, and she turned to him.
For six months now he’d been tossing baby names around, and it warmed her heart to see him so happy.
She squeezed his hand. “Actually, I’ve been thinking.”
“Yeah?”
“How about Charlotte?”
His mouth fell open, and he blinked, but not before she caught the tear that threatened to fall. “You…you want to name her after my mom?”
She shifted to face him and put her hand on his cheek. “Of course I do. I’m just sorry I never got to meet her.”
He cupped her face. “Alix…I…that means so much to me.”
“You mean so much to me.”
“How did I ever get so lucky?” Soft lips met hers. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too.”
He inched back and winked at her. “Do you think we could cancel the barbecue and head inside so I can show you how much?”
She laughed. His lovemaking had been so gentle and tender since the pregnancy, and while she’d like to take him up on his offer, footsteps on the gravel path heralded their friends’ approach.
She gave him another quick kiss. “Nope, but I’ll hold you to it tonight.”
“Get a room already,” Mac teased as he climbed the stairs, his arm around Julia’s waist.
They all laughed, and as Jess and Mac joined them, Alix shook her head and looked at the five people she considered her family. She never would have thought that a ridiculous plan to find love—forged by three guys over too many beers—would turn out with three happy endings. She was only glad it had.
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Acknowledgments
A huge thank you to my awesome editor, Candace Havens. Your insight is brilliant and you are such a pleasure to work with. I’m looking forward to putting the shine on many more books with you.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cathryn Fox is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie), pizza, and red wine. Cathryn has two teenagers who keep her busy and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. When not writing, Cathryn can be found laughing over lunch with friends, hanging out with her kids, or watching a big action flick with her husband.
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