Page 115 of Unstable

6 Months Later

“WELL HELLO, LADIES.” KEATON saunters into the barn where Brooke and I are double-checking our mounts on Scotch and Barley before our ride.

“Uncle Keaton!” Brooke squeals, running over to throw her arms around him. “Do you want to go riding with us?”

“Us?” He stares at me, eyes narrowed to bossy, angry slits…one of which may actually be twitching a bit. “Baby, please tell me she doesn’t mean my wife as part of her ‘us?’”

Yes, I’m his wife, and he never gets tired of saying it. So much so, that sometimes I kid him that I suspect he’s forgotten my actual name.

We got married at the church in front of a small crowd, Brooke our flower girl, Keaton’s father my escort down the aisle and Donna standing at my side (crying the entire time).

Keaton had boxed up their bedrooms for me in the move, so he knew exactly where to look, and had pictures of my mom, Hadley, and even one of Bourbon at the ceremony.

He ensured they were all there…and while his gesture warmed my heart, he needn’t have bothered. They were there anyway, in spirit. I swear I could feel their love surrounding me as they watched from afar.

And Keaton Cash in a tux? Well let’s just say…no, I better not think about it with Brooke anywhere in close proximity, because I can’t be held responsible for my actions when I revisit the vision of my husband that day.

I shake away my wayward thoughts and return to the battle upon me.

“Do you see anyone else here?” I put my hand on my hip, giving him the look.

“Brooke, honey, why don’t you go play outside the barn for a minute? Me and Aunt Henley need to talk,” Keaton asks her in a nicely strained tone while staring loving daggers at me.

“It’s okay, I already know what you’re gonna say. Just don’t use cuss words, my mommy doesn’t like me to hear them, and I’ll be fine.”

Even in the heat of the upcoming argument, I snicker and the corner of Keaton’s mouth twitches. The little girl is irresistible.

“No promises there, sweetie,” he laughs. “Depends on if she cooperates or not.”

His eyes slowly graze down my body and land on my stomach, and like always, his face breaks out into a wide, brilliant smile.

“Henny,” he uses my name as a soft plea. “That’s mine, my baby in there. I’m damn proud you’re ready to ride again, but not while you’re pregnant.”

“Keaton, you were sitting right there when the doctor said it was fine in my first trimester, as long as I keep it at a walk or slow trot. I just want to spend some time with Brooke, doing something. I can’t stay in that house, having you treat me like a china doll another second.”

“Well, Dr. That’s My Baby is pulling rank, and I say no. No, Henny. It’s not worth the risk. You make one move toward that horse and I will tan that a-, butt,” he adjusts for Brooke’s sake.

“Fine,” my head drops to my chest in defeat, “you’re right, I don’t want to take any risks either. I’m just so bored.”

“Brooke?” he says.

“Time to release the secret weapon?” She shrieks, and my head pops up, curious to see what’s got her so excited.

“Yep,” he nods. “I’ll let you do the honors.”

She runs away quicker than I can ask her where she’s going, and Keaton, he’s leisurely rocking back and forth on his heels wearing a self-assured grin.

“What do you two have planned?” I ask.

“No riding, woman. I mean it. Promise me,” he grits past a now clenched jaw.

“I promise,” I easily agree and rub my tummy. “You’re right, I was being stupid. Won’t happen again. But the doctor did say…”

“Doctor said ‘you’re gonna be a daddy.’ No ‘gonna be’ about it. I started being a daddy that very second and you know how serious I am about taking care of you?”

I nod, happiness welling up in my eyes.

“Well then just imagine how I feel about our child, a piece of both of us that we made together. The ultimate creation of my lifelong dream, you and me, being one.”

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