Page 29 of Auctioned to the Cowboy

I take a deep breath, my fingers tightening around his. “Well, I wasn’t exactly talking about goats… I’m pregnant,” I say softly, the words hanging in the air like the first snowflake of winter, fragile and full of promise.

The room falls utterly silent. All eyes are on me now—Ben, Tom, Angus—all of them staring as if I’ve just announced aliens are landing in the backyard.

Henry freezes. I can’t tell if he’s breathing. His eyes widen, and his grip on my hand tightens as if he’s anchoring himself to reality. “You’re serious?”

I nod, the sting of happy tears pricking the corners of my eyes. “Yes, Henry. We’re having a baby.”

The room erupts into chaos. Ben’s chair scrapes back as he lets out a whoop loud enough to scare the dogs in the yard. “A baby!” he bellows, his face breaking into a grin that could rival the sunrise.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Tom looks between Henry and me with exaggerated disbelief. “Are we talking about an actual human kid or… like… another farm animal?”

“Oh, for the love of…” Angus groans, smacking Tom on the back of the head. “She means a baby, you idiot. You’re going to be an uncle.”

“Uncle Tom,” he muses, rubbing his chin. “I like the sound of that.”

Henry’s attention is locked on me, his expression a blend of awe and something softer—something I can only describe as joy.

“Shay…” he starts, but his voice cracks. He shakes his head and pulls me onto his lap. His embrace is fierce, protective, his tension melting away as he presses a kiss to my forehead.

“I didn’t think…” he whispers, his voice thick. “I didn’t think I could be happy again.”

“You’ve got seven months to get used to it,” I tease, leaning back to look into his silver eyes, now clear and bright with unguarded emotion.

Ben claps Henry on the back so hard he nearly knocks us both off the chair. “A baby! Congratulations, son. Shay, you’ve made this old man the happiest grandfather-to-be in the county.”

“Not just the county,” Tom interjects with a grin. “The whole damn state.”

As the laughter and chatter swell around the table, I can’t help but glance at Henry again. His hand never leaves mine, and his gaze drifts to my stomach, a mix of pride and protectiveness etched into his features.

“Looks like we’ll need to add a nursery to the ranch,” he murmurs, his voice quiet but steady, filled with a certainty that makes my heart swell.

“And maybe a few goats for the baby to play with,” I quip, earning an exaggerated groan from Henry.

As the conversation shifts to future plans for our baby, I snuggle against my husband and let their voices wash over me. This house, this family, has become home in a way I never imagined. The fear and uncertainty that plagued me when I first arrived have been replaced with something far more precious: the knowledge that I belong. To this man. To this ranch. To this family. And they belong to me.

I glance at Henry, deep in conversation with Ben about building a nursery and making the ranch childproof. His profile is rugged, his jawline sharp, and his gray eyes hold an intensity that never fails to draw me in. I smile, overwhelmed with gratitude for the man who’s become my partner in every sense of the word.

As the men clear the table and gather their gear for the day, I take a moment to soak it all in. The aroma of biscuits lingers in the air, mingling with the scuff of boots on the floor and the dogs barking excitedly outside. It’s chaotic and loud and messy… and perfect.

Henry catches my eye as he pulls on his jacket, his expression softening. “You coming with me, Shay?”

“Always,” I reply, slipping my hand into his as we head for the door.

The crisp morning air greets us, and I shiver slightly as Henry pulls me closer, his arm wrapping around my shoulders, his palm pressing against my stomach where our peanut is growing.

“Love you, Shay,” he murmurs, kissing me softly.

“Love you, Henry.”

We’re ready to tackle whatever challenges await. Whether it’s cows, goats, or life's unpredictable twists, I know we’ll face it all as a team. I’m not simply surviving—I’m thriving. With Henry by my side and surrounded by love, warmth, and the promise of a future brighter than I ever imagined, anything is possible.

This isn’t just a home anymore. It’s a legacy, a family, and the start of something extraordinary.

Epilogue

Henry

The ranch sparkles under a blanket of fresh snow that muffles the world and makes everything seem softer and quieter. The morning sun glints off the icicles hanging from the eaves, and my breath puffs out in clouds as I lean against the porch railing. Inside, the house hums with life—laughter and Shay’s voice floating through the air like a melody I never tire of hearing.

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