Page 109 of My Greatest Joy

Dasher’s at my feet as soon as they touch the floor.

“C’mon, boy. Let’s go outside.” I pet his head. He wags his tail with a big ole smile and races me downstairs.

Ever since finding out we were expecting—or hell, even before we knew—he’s been super clingy and follows Fallon everywhere. It was only a few weeks after she returned that she surprised me with a positive pregnancy test. I was over the moon ecstatic and couldn’t wait to start a family together and put a ring on her finger.

I proposed six weeks later.

Quick?Yeah. But why wait when I already knew she’s the one?

We didn’t want to prolong our engagement, so last weekend, we had a cute little summer ceremony and reception at the farm with close friends and family. It was the first time her dad, stepmom, and sister visited, although I met them in April when we flew to Seattle for Easter. It was great showing them around the farm and town. They seemed to enjoy themselves.

After spending five days honeymooning on the beach, we returned home to start our life as newlyweds and start on the nursery. Baby boy is due late October, one week before Finn and Oakley’s wedding.

So that should be interesting.

Once Dasher does his business, I pad to the kitchen and whip up omelets and toast. Then I make her black decaf coffee and bring it to her in bed.

“Hope you’re hungry, sweetheart.” I set the tray on the nightstand and dip down to brush my lips against hers. “Also, I have a surprise for you after, so eat up.”

That has her eyes popping open. “Surprise? What is it?”

I chuckle. “You gotta eat first, my love.”

She pushes herself up, groaning as she tries, and I help pull her the rest of the way.

“This baby is gonna come out the size of a toddler.”

“Well, he’s a fifth-generation White lumberjack. What’d you expect letting me put a baby inside you?”

“I was too high on sugar cookies to know better.”

Climbing in bed next to her, I cup her chin and bring her mouth to mine for a chaste kiss. “And drunk on eggnog.”

We eat together while Dasher lies on the floor next to me. I smile at him giving me his best puppy dog eyes, begging for a scrap of food.

“So am I allowed to guess the surprise?” Fallon asks once we finish.

Smirking, I shrug. She can try, but she won’t even get close. “Sure.”

“It’s your famous gingersnap cookies recipe,” she guesses. “Right? You said I had to be a White or marry one…” Holding up her left hand, she shows off her wedding ring.

Her devious smirk has me smiling wide.

“Not sure I should.”

“What?” Her jaw drops. “Why not?”

“You’ll just give it to Finn.”

She bursts out laughing, holding her stomach as she does. “He did say he’d pay top dollar for it.”

“Exactly, and I don’t trust him not to bribe you for it.”

“What if I promise to take it to the grave?”

She sticks out her bottom lip and it’s too cute to deny.

“You don’t play fair.”

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