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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

GUNNER

Late May

I walked around on the slab and took notes. Ellie hadn’t been feeling good for the last two weeks, so she took a trip into Austin with Ari for a change of scenery and some shopping. The house was coming along nicely. Now, we just needed it to stop raining so damn much, so the framing could get going.

I looked up and saw Josh driving up in the Jeep. What the hell? This is a nice surprise.

He jumped out of the Jeep and came walking up to me, reaching to shake hands.

“Dude, what a nice surprise.”

Josh smiled and slapped me on the back. “You couldn’t have picked a better spot on the ranch to build y’all’s house. Nicely done, bro.”

I smiled as I looked around. Our tree, the same tree where it’d all started, was going to be in the back yard of our new house.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want it to be anywhere else. My dad is pushing the hell out of me to get this house done. He’s tired of living with Gramps and Grams. To be honest, I think that’s why they are traveling so much.” I said with a laugh.

“Where are they now?”

“Las Vegas!” I said with a chuckle.

My drill instructor father had turned into a carefree wild and crazy man ever since his heart attack last year.

“What brings you out here?” I asked.

“Jeff, needed some help taking care of some things, and I think a few of those mares are ready to pop. With Ari so close to the due date, he just wanted an extra hand around. I knew about a month ago, so I stopped taking in new orders, and my dad is covering for me. I sure needed the break from work.”

I laughed and shook my head. “You know Jeff is going to work your ass to the bone, and I might call on you as well.”

“Bring it, dude. The more work the better. You know I love it out here, and this shit is relaxing for me. Besides, I needed out of the city. If it wasn’t for Lynda, I think I would move out this way. I love Fredericksburg. I really think I could easily move the business out there and still be close enough to Austin to do work there.”

“Damn, dude, that would be awesome to have you closer.”

“Yeah, if only Lynda wanted the same thing I wanted, I’d be set.”

“How are things with y’all?”

Josh shrugged his shoulders.

“Have you seen Heather since Ari and Jeff’s wedding?” I asked.

“No, I heard some shit though that bothered me.”

Fuck. I knew where he was going with this. Ellie and Ari had tried to talk to Heather, but they couldn’t seem to get through to her. Heather had turned to going out and partying all the time, so much that even Amanda was worried about it.

“What did you hear?”

“Just that she’s been partying a lot. Do you remember Smitty from UT?”

“Yeah, I remember Smitty.”

“He said she goes out every weekend. Do you know if any of that’s true?”

“I hate to say this, but yeah, Ellie and Ari have been really worried about her. She seems to go after her school shit hard all week, and then ever Friday and Saturday night, she goes out and drinks with a few friends from school. When Ellie tried to talk to her about it, she said it’s the only way she could forget for a while.”

“Forget what?”

“Dude, that’s the million dollar question.”

Just then, I heard my truck driving up. I smiled when I saw Ellie jump out.

She ran over and hugged Josh. “It’s so great to see you.”

“Ellie, you look beautiful. Country air seems to agree with you rather well,” Josh said as he spun Ellie around.

“Josh, you can’t stay away for so long like that.”

“Josh is talking about moving out toward Fredericksburg maybe.”

“No kidding. Heather just interviewed with the elementary school out there. Did you know that?”

Josh looked surprised as shit.

“Um, no, I had no idea. I haven’t talked to or seen her since the wedding. Last I knew, she was going to interview with Mason.”

“Yep, she did, but she hasn’t heard back from them yet. She’ll be graduating this summer, so we plan on having a big party for her. You’ll come, right?”

“Of course, you can count on me being there. Alright, y’all, I’m gonna let ya go. I’m gonna head on back up to the house and say good-bye to Garrett and Emma. I’m sure Jeff has a laundry list of shit for me to do. Maybe we can all head out to dinner tonight?”

“Sounds good bud, I’ll give you or Jeff a ring later on.”

Ellie and I watched as Josh got back in the Jeep and headed back up the ranch house. I looked over at Ellie, who had a shit-eating grin on her face.

“What’s with the grin?”

She turned to look at me and winked. “Oh, nothing, it’s just that Josh is in for a little surprise when he gets to Jeff and Ari’s.”

“Oh yeah? What kind of surprise, Ellie Mathews?”

“Ari and I talked Heather into coming out and staying for a few weeks until summer classes start. She agreed and said she needed to get out of Austin to get away from the partying.”

“You little devils. Did Ari know Josh was coming out?”

Ellie looked at me like I was stupid. “Of course, she did, and she also knew that Lynda was going to Costa Rica with her parents for a few weeks.”

I let out a laugh.

“You know what else I found out from Heather that explains why she’s been acting the way she has?”

“What?”

“Lynda told her at the wedding that Josh asked her to marry him, but they just hadn’t made it public yet.”

“What the fuck? Are you kidding me?”

“Nope.” Ellie said, popping her p. “I hate to say this, Gunner, because Lynda is your cousin, but I don’t trust her one bit. She is jealous of Heather, and I think she’ll do or say anything to keep them apart. When Heather told us what Lynda said, all Ari had to do was look at me, and I knew what she was thinking. The Push-Josh-and-Heather-Together Plan has officially started,” Ellie said as she turned around and looked back in the direction where Josh had just left.

I pulled her into me and hugged her. “Be careful, Ells. Don’t push them too hard baby. Just let them find their way back to each other.”

Ellie turned and looked at me. “They are both so unhappy. Why can’t they see that Gunner?”

“It’s the same reason why Jeff and Ari couldn’t see it…or at least, Jeff couldn’t see. Come on, enough about them. I want to give you a tour of our house.”

We jumped up onto the slab, and I started pointing out where the kitchen. living room, and master bedroom would be.

“Did you keep the small little study, the one that’s in the master room, in the plans?”

“Yeah. Why? I thought you said it would make a great reading room. It’s too late to change it now, babe The slab is poured.”

Ellie started walking over to the area in the master bedroom that would eventually be the little study. Facing out toward our tree, it would be all solid windows.

“No, of course, I don’t want to change it.” She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. While unfolding it, she said,

“It’ll make a beautiful reading room and a great little nursery for the first few months after the baby comes home in December.”

“Yeah, it would make a great…wait, what?”

Ellie turned around holding up the piece of paper. I walked closer to her. The closer I got the slower I walked. That’s a picture of...

I looked up at her. “Is that a sonogram, Ellie?”

She turned the picture around and looked at it. When she looked back up at me, she smiled.

“Yes, it is, Drew. Say hello to our baby.”

I was standing in front of her, and then I slowly started to sink down to the cement floor until I landed on my ass.

“Baby, you’re pregnant?” I asked.

She sat down on the slab next to me and handed me the picture.

“Yep, looks like your little vacation in March to New Orleans did the trick. I’m due December ninth.”

“How far along are you?” My voice cracked.

“About ten weeks. When I missed my period last month, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Then, I missed this month, and I’d been feeling so sick. I asked Ari to go with me, just in case it came back negative. I didn’t want you to be disappointed. I didn’t even take a home pregnancy test. I’m sorry you weren’t there for the first sonogram, but Dr. Wyatt wanted to check out the baby as soon as the test came back positive.”

I looked up at her with tears building in my eyes. We’re going to have a baby.

“Ellie, I’m not upset about that. I mean, if it’s okay, I want to go to all your appointments with you from now.”

“Of course, it’s okay! Are you happy?”

I looked up at her and saw the tears in her eyes. I took the back of my hand and ran it along the side of her face.

“I’ve never felt so happy in my life, Ells. I love you so damn much.”

Ellie smiled and those beautiful blue eyes lit up as a single tear rolled down her face. I wiped it away and then stood up. I helped my beautiful girl up to her feet before I grabbed her and kissed her. The small moan she let escape ran through my body.

I pulled away and smiled. Then, I turned and started walking us back to my truck. Later, I’d have Ellie drive me back over here to the pick up the ranch truck, right now I just needed to get her home.

“Wait, where are we going?” Ellie asked.

I was practically dragging her along the way.

“Home. I need to make love to you right now.”

She let out a giggle and ran up next to me.

“Well, who am I to argue with such a romantic gesture?”

I reached down and picked her up as she let out a little scream.

“Be ready, baby. I’m gonna rock your pregnant world.”

Ellie laughed as she pushed up off my back.

“Bring it on, Gunner. Bring it on.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

JEFF

I walked down to the barn to check on Josh. He’d been staying with us the last two weeks, along with Heather. I still had to chuckle when I thought of the look on their faces when they both saw each other, then when they found out they were both staying with us. It was priceless. I would have paid a million bucks to have that shit recorded.

Ari told me that they went for a ride together this morning, so at least they were making progress.

When, I walked into the barn, Josh was brushing Sweet Pea, the new mare I bought last week.

“You know, country life agrees with you, Josh. Gunner and I sure could use your help out here, especially with Drake moving to Austin and Aaron helping Jenny more and more with her event-planning business.”

Josh turned and smiled at me.

“I would move out here in a heartbeat if I thought I could. My business is growing pretty fast in Austin though.”

“Dude, you can make furniture anywhere. All this damn fresh air might also inspire you..”

Josh took in a deep breath. “All I smell is horse shit, dude.”

I let out a laugh.

“How was your ride this morning with Heather?”

“Good. She still seems distant though, almost like she’s doing something wrong by spending time with me.”

“I think I know why.”

Josh stopped brushing and looked at me.

“Alright, asshole, you’re planning on sharing with me right?”

“Do you remember when Heather came back from the bathroom so upset on the night of my wedding?”

“Of course I do.”

“Well, first off, I need you to know that Heather just told Ari and Ellie this a couple of weeks ago.”

“What? What did she tell them, Jeff?”

“In the bathroom that night, Lynda told Heather that you asked her to marry you, but y’all had decided to wait on telling anyone.”

Josh dropped the brush to the ground.

“Wait…what? I haven’t asked Lynda to marry me. She keeps pushing me, but I’ve never even mentioned marriage to her.”

Josh put his hands on his knees. I walked up to him and put my hand on his back.

“Motherfucker. Is that why she started partying and everything? She thought I was getting married?” Josh asked.

“I guess so. Every time we ever asked her to come along and do something with us, as soon as she found out that you and Lynda were going to be there, she’d change her mind. Josh, do you love Lynda?”

Josh stood up and looked at me.

“I care about her, but do I love her enough to marry her? No, not at all.”

“Do you love Heather?” I asked.

Josh looked at me with tears in his eyes. “Yes, I love her more than anything.”

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life with her and only her?”

“Yes.”

“Then, go the fuck after her. She took Rose, and is down at the river reading.”

“Yeah, I know, I helped saddle her up.”

“Sweet Pea could use some exercise.” I said, raising my eyebrows.

Josh grabbed a bridle and put it on Sweet Pea, and then jumped up on her.

“You’re riding bareback, dude?”

Josh smiled and took off toward the river.

“Do you know where she’s at along the river?”

“Ari just said Heather went for a ride to the river to read.”

“Wish me luck!”

“You got this, Josh. Just be honest with her. Wait!”

Josh stopped Sweet pea while I ran over to my truck and opened the door to the backseat. I smiled when I found the folded-up quilt. I ran over to Josh and handed it to him.

“What the fuck do I need a quilt for?”

I just looked at him.

“Oh, um, right. Thanks, dude!”

I watched Josh gallop off on Sweet Pea. I was hoping for two things: the first, that he made it to Heather in one piece and didn’t fall the fuck off the horse, and second, that those two got their shit together once and for all.

By the time I got back to the house, I walked in to see my very pregnant, very sexy wife standing at the kitchen sink. She was listening to her iPod, and those hips were just moving to the beat of the song. I walked up closer to see if I could hear what she was listening to. I could hear Kenny Chesney’s “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.”, Then, she started to sing, or rather scream the words. The last thing I wanted to do was scare her, but when I came up behind her and put my hands on her hips, she jumped and yelled.

She pulled her earbuds out as she turned around. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you asswipe. You scared the shit out of me!”

I put my hand on her round belly.

“How are you and little bit doing this afternoon?”

She smiled and moved my hand to the right side of her stomach. Right then, the baby kicked…hard.

I smiled as I looked at Ari.

She smiled back at me. “I would say he’s doing well. Me on the other hand…I’m so ready for this baby to be out of my stomach. I’m so glad Dr. Wyatt is inducing me in two days. I don’t think I could carry him around another day.”

I still couldn’t believe it. In two days, and we would be having a baby at the hospital in Austin.

“Jeff, we really need to decide on a name.”

I rolled my eyes and sat down on the bar stool. Ugh…baby names kill me. Even after we found out we were having a boy, we still couldn’t agree on a name.

“You still set on Luke, Ari?”

“Yep. Are you still set on Hunter?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, how about we wait until we see his face, and then we decide. Fair enough?”

Ari smiled and walked up to me. She kissed me so sweetly and softly that I think I would have settled on Luke if she asked again.

“Fair enough, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be walking out of the hospital with the name Luke Drew Johnson.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re right baby.”

“Is Josh still down at the barn?”

“Nope, he took off bareback on Sweet Pea when I explained what Lynda said about them getting married.”

Ari dropped the knife she’d been using to cut up apples in the sink.

“You told him? I promised Heather that I wouldn’t say anything, Jeff. I told her they weren’t engaged, and she believed me. Why would you tell Josh?”

“Because he needed to know why Heather pushed him away again. He has a right to know.”

Ari smiled and leaned against the sink. “So, he went right after her, did he?”

“Yep, and I even gave him our lucky quilt to take.”

Ari smiled and raised her eyebrows.

“That means…they could be down at the river for a while.”

I stood up and took her into my arms. “You double lock the backdoor, and I’ll double lock the front door.”

“I’m on it.”

I’d never seen my nine months pregnant wife move so fast. When I looked down the hallway, she was already taking off her shirt. I smiled and headed to the front door. Shit, I might have to keep her pregnant all the time. This girl was hornier than a frat boy in a house full of virgins.

“Jeff! Hurry! Let’s do this before they come back,” Ari yelled out from our room.

I walked down the hallway and headed into our bedroom. She was already undressed and trying to get up on the bed.

She turned and looked at me.

“Be creative! I can hardly move!”

I let out a laugh as I pulled my shirt over my head, and then I started to take off my pants.

“Oh, don’t worry, baby. You won’t be disappointed.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

JOSH

Shit. I should have asked Jeff if Heather had stayed on his property or if she had ridden over onto the Mathews’ place.

Then, I saw her. With a blanket already laid out on the ground, she was lying on her stomach, reading a book. I jumped off Sweet Pea and decided to just let her roam. She would probably make her way over to where Rose was tied up and eating.

As I walked toward Heather, she didn’t look up. The sound of the river must have been blocking out my steps.

“Hey, Heather,” I called out.

When she looked up, I was hoping that she wasn’t going to seem disappointed to see me.

She let a huge smile play across her face, and I felt my own smile spreading across mine.

I love her. I only want her.

She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest. She looked beautiful, sitting there under the blue sky. I could practically see her blue eyes from here.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?” she called out as I was walking closer to her.

By the time I got to her, she had stood up.

I didn’t know what to say or how I should even start it. So, I did the only thing I’d wanted to do since I saw her walk into Jeff and Ari’s house two weeks ago. I inched closer to her, took her face in my hands, and kissed her.

The moan that escaped from her mouth drove me mad, and my dick was hard within seconds. It had nothing to do with the fact that I had not slept with Lynda in months. It was because I was kissing Heather. I craved her kiss and her touch more than anything else in my life.

I pulled away from her mouth, so we could catch our breath. When she closed her eyes, a tear rolled down her face.

I took my thumb and wiped it away.

“I love you, Heather. I’ve only ever loved you.”

Her beautiful blue eyes opened, and it was like she was staring into my soul.

“I’m so sorry. I never meant for what happened with Jerry to happen. I can’t get it out of my head. I’ve tried to do everything I could think of to just forget it, but I can’t. That was supposed to be you. I wanted that to be you so badly, Josh.”

She started crying even harder.

I pulled her into me and held on to her.

“I wanted it to be you more than anything.”

“It’s okay princess. Please don’t cry. It doesn’t matter anymore. All that matters is you and me, Heather.”

She pulled away, looking at me.

“I know what people think about me, and they’re wrong. I haven’t been with anyone since that night with Jerry. I couldn’t be with anyone else but you.”

I leaned down and took her mouth with mine. I kissed her with as much passion as I possibly could. I needed to show her how much I loved and wanted her.

Heather pulled away again.

“Josh, I know you’re with Lynda, and I wouldn’t want you to be unfaithful to her.”

I closed my eyes and let out a sigh.

“Heather, I have no intentions of staying with Lynda. The minute she gets back from Costa Rica, I’m going to tell her it’s over. She knows that I don’t love her. We haven’t even slept together in months.”

“Really?” Heather asked, her voice a little too excited.

I smiled at her.

“Yes, really. I’ve never loved anyone but you. I only want to be with you.”

Heather slowly lowered herself onto the blanket. When she was lying back all I could see was her chest moving up and down. I knew she was scared to death.

I got down on the blanket and put my hand on her stomach. I felt her whole body tremble under my touch. I was nervous as hell. I hadn’t felt this way since the day we were in Jeff and Ari’s hallway. I leaned down and captured her lips with mine. Her hands immediately went in my hair, pulling me closer. She was driving me crazy.

Slow, Josh. It needs to be special. This is her real first time.

I slowly moved my lips away from hers.

“Princess, sit up for me.”

She looked confused for a second, but sat up anyway. I got on my knees and kissed her forehead, then her nose, and then down the side of her face to her neck.

“Oh god.” she said.

I started to kiss her gently on her lips as I moved my hands to her T-shirt. I only broke the kiss to bring the shirt over her head.

“Lie back down, baby.” I felt her body trembling as I helped her lie back. I wanted to do everything I could to make her feel loved and wanted.

I took my finger and pushed a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. Then, I traced down her jaw to her neck and then lower to her chest. When I ran my finger along the edge of her bra, she sucked in a breath. I leaned down and kissed the top of her chest.

I whispered against her skin,

“Breathe, princess...just breathe.”

Heather took a deep breath in and then slowly let it out.

Fuck me. Her bra clasp was in the front. I unclasped it and then helped her take it off.

“So fucking perfect.”

I leaned down and took one of her nipples into my mouth.

She arched her back and let out a moan that moved through my whole body like a lightning bolt. I’d never felt like this with anyone.

I slowly moved my hand down and started to unbutton her jean shorts.

“Josh…” she said as she tried to catch her breath.

The only thing I could hear was her heart beating.

She lifted her hips as I took her shorts and thong panties off all at once. My heart was fucking pounding in my chest as I looked up and down her body.

“Touch me…please touch me,” she practically begged.

I sat up, gazing at her perfect body. There was absolutely nothing I would change about this girl. She was the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on. When I moved my hand to touch her ankle, she jumped, and I couldn’t help but smile. I slowly moved my hand up her leg to her stomach, chest, and then neck.

“I want you to come with me inside you, Heather.”

Her eyes flew open, and all I could see was fear. I knew she didn’t remember anything about that night with Jerry, and a part of me was so glad. I wanted her first time to be with me.

“I love you, Josh.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes.

“I love you, Heather.”

I moved on top of her and started to kiss her. I slid my hand down between her legs and slowly opened them to me. I put one finger inside her, and I almost came on the spot.

“You’re so damn wet, Heather.”

“I want you Josh, I want you so bad.”

I moved my finger in and out as she moaned into my mouth. I put another finger in and then another as moved my hand faster. I could feel her getting tighter around my fingers, so I pulled them out. She let out a moan of frustration.

“Oh god, Josh, please...”

I slowly started to enter her body. Jesus, she’s so tight. I said a silent pray, hoping that I would last at least five minutes.

“Talk to me, Heather.”

“Don’t ...know...what…to say...”

“Does it hurt, princess?”

“No…feels good...please don’t stop.”

I moved in, inch by inch, as I kissed her. I saw the pain in her face, and I pulled back out some. She grabbed my back and pulled me closer to her, causing me to go deeper inside her. She let out a gasp.

“Heather…”

“I’m fine. Oh god, Josh, I feel like you’re melting into me. Please don’t stop. Please.”

I put my forehead onto hers and quickly pushed myself all the way into her.

Pure heaven. I didn’t even want to move. I wanted to just stay like this while I listened to her breathing.

I slowly started to move in and out of her.

Then, I remembered.

Fuck. I stopped moving and looked at her. I never fucking forgot…ever.

“Heather, I’m not wearing a condom.”

“S’okay. I’m on birth control pills.”

“But I’ve never...”

She looked at me and smiled. I melted on the spot. I smiled back at her as I captured her lips with mine. I started to move again, faster and harder. When I pulled on her bottom lip and bit down on it, she started to call out my name.

Mother fucker. It felt incredible to be inside of her with nothing separating us. I tried to hold off as long as I could, but it felt so damn good. The moment she started to come back to me, I called out her name. There was something about me coming in her that felt so right. She’s mine. She would always be mine, and I would do anything for her.

I stayed on top of her until our breathing was under control. I leaned down and kissed her. I’d never in my life experienced such an amazing moment. As I rolled onto my side, she rolled over to face me.

I looked into those beautiful blue eyes.

“Heather, I’ve never in my life experienced anything like what I just experienced with you. Making love to you was…it was magical.”

I saw the tear slide down her face, and I caught it before it went into her ear. Leaning forward, I kissed her.

When I pulled back, she smiled.

“Can I ask you something, Josh?”

“You can ask me anything you want, baby.”

“Well, it’s kind of two things.”

I laughed and kissed her nose.

“Go for it.”

“Okay…well, um…next time…um, can I be on top? And…how long until you can, um…do that again?”

Fuck me. She’s perfection all around.

I smiled at her and pushed a piece of her hair away from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear.

“I think I’ll only need a few more minutes, and as far as you being on top…baby, you never need to ask permission for that.”

She laughed and pushed my shoulder, causing me to fall back. I grabbed her and pulled her on top of me and she sat up straight. She barely moved and then looked back down at me. She lifted her eyebrow and smiled.

“A few minutes, huh?”

“Looks like I underestimated him.”

Heather laughed and then sat up some. Leaning down, she kissed me from my neck up to my ear.

“Will it feel different with me on top?”

She was barely letting my dick touch her, and it was driving me crazy.

“Yeah…” was all I could get out.

“Like how different?”

“Like...I don’t know…fuller, I think. Shit, Heather…you’re driving me mad.”

With a smile, she bit down on my lower lip right as she sat down, letting me I enter her body all the way.

We both let out a gasp as she sat back up, putting her hands on my chest.

“Oh god…feels so good, Josh.”

With the way she was moving, there was no way I was going to last long. She looked down at me, and her blonde hair fell forward, partially covering her beautiful breasts.

“Faster, Heather…move faster.”

When she did, I could tell she was getting close. Sitting up, I grabbed her and I buried my face into her chest.

Before I knew it, we were both calling out each other’s names.

She moved her legs to wrap around me, straddling me. I wasn’t even sure how long we sat like that before she said something.

“I never want to leave. I just want to stay right here with you forever.”

I closed my eyes and held her tightly.

“I feel the same way, princess. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

When I slowly laid her down next to me, she put her head on my chest. The next thing I knew, she was sleeping. All I could hear were the sounds of the Llano River and the slow and steady breaths coming from the girl of my dreams.