Page 28 of The Christmas Cowboy

“I’m really nervousabout telling your mom we’re married.” They’d pulled up to the back door and were sitting in Liam’s truck.

“Don’t worry. She’ll be happy.”

“She’ll wonder about you marrying me when not long ago she thought you were going to marry Cici.”

He smiled at her, put his hand on the back of her neck and drew her close. Then he kissed her. Her mind blanked. Instead of second thoughts, or worries about the marriage, she just went with it. Allowed herself to simply enjoy and respond. Their tongues tangled, his hand dropped and his arm went around her to pull her closer. If the console hadn’t been in the way…

“What was that for?” she asked when the kiss ended.

“Mostly because I wanted to. But also because I thought it might help you not to be nervous.”

“Liam?”

“Yeah?”

“Nothing. We’d better go in.” She’d come within an inch of asking him when they were going to make love. Or have sex, or however he wanted to put it. But for once she’d thought before she spoke.

Liam opened the back door and, holding her hand, stepped inside. Velma, the McFarlands’ housekeeper who’d been with them as long as she could remember, and who she’d seen too many times to count, had her back to them. “Connor, did you need something?”

“It’s me, not Connor.”

She turned around, surprise on her face. “Liam! I didn’t know you’d be back today.” She looked at Val, then her gaze fell to their joined hands. “Hello, Val.” To Liam she said, “Do you have something to tell us?”

Ignoring her question, he asked, “Where’s Mom?”

“Down at the barn. Connor’s there too.”

“Okay. We’ll talk to you later.”

“Want me to make up the guest room?” she asked as they were leaving.

He stopped at the door. “Nope. Show her your rings, Val.”

Val lifted her left hand.

“That answers that question. Congratulations, you two.” She didn’t seem surprised. Val wondered why.

“Thanks,” Liam answered.

On the way to the barn Val asked him a question. “So you’ve told Connor about the baby?”

“Yeah, but like I told you on our honeymoon, only that you’re pregnant. Not about the rest of it. He cornered me. I’m sorry, I know you didn’t want me to tell anyone.”

“That’s all right. You can tell your brothers. And if you have to you can tell them the truth. Just be sure they won’t tell anyone else.”

He stopped walking. “They don’t need to know details. Knowing you’re pregnant is enough.”

“Okay, but since Riley and Letty know the truth, it didn’t seem fair to ask you to keep it from your brothers.”

“The fewer people who know the better, at this point.”

“I guess you’re right. Still, if you want to tell them you can.”

“Thanks. Ready to go in?”

Val drew in a deep breath. “Ready.” But she found herself reluctant to go in. Liam, apparently having figured that out, held her hand and almost towed her along with him.

They found Connor in the stall with Moondance and her filly. “I was wondering when you’d get back,” Connor said when Liam said his name.

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