Page 14 of Defender

“What about, honey? You’re going to be a great mom.” Mrs. Robinson pushes back a strand of gray hair and settles into the rocking chair next to my mother who’s looking a lot happier these days.

“I don’t know. I’m worried I won’t say the right thing or know how to react when he has a question about something or…”

Gunner lands his massive hand on my thigh and leans into my neck for a warm, nuzzling kiss. “You’re going to be the best mom. You have these beautiful ladies as your guides.”

I don’t doubt for a second that Gunner will be the best dad. I can already see him bringing baby Tucker out on the fishingcharter with him. He started the company a few months back, and it’s taken off. At least four days a week he takes the boat out with a gaggle of folks looking to fish. Some tourists, some locals who don’t have a boat.

I turn toward my husband and kiss his lips, cherishing the rough tickle of his beard against my face. “I love you.”

He squeezes my hand. “Love you more, honeybee. Did you tell everyone the news about your book?”

“Oh!” My eyes widen and a smile lifts onto my face. “My barn photography book hit the best seller list last week. I’m going to take on another project after the baby’s born.”

“Honey, that’s wonderful.” My mom stands from the rocker and leans into me for a hug. “Your dad would be so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’m thinking of using him in my next project.”

“How so?” Her brows wrinkle as she sits.

“Well, I was thinking about how much Dad loved comic books, and I wondered how I could use that style of photography, ya know, with the shadows and dramatic lighting. Then, I remembered this picture that I took right here in Rugged Mountain. It was outside of the bakery after that bear tore the town up last year. Anyway, the concept is everyday heroes.”

A tear streams down my mother’s face. She’s been dating recently, and she’s met one man in particular that treats her very well, but I know she’ll always crumble at the thought of my father. They were best friends and nothing can change that. “He would love that, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

Gunner wraps his hand around the back of my neck. I love when he does this. There’s something about his big, rough hand swallowing me up, taking control, reminding me of his love that I can’t get enough of. “Should we get going? You havea doctor’s appointment at one, and we still need to stop by the grocery store for something.” He squints his eyes as he tries to remember my list. “What did you say you needed?”

“Grapes and orange soda.”

“Grapes and orange soda?” Mrs. Robinson laughs. “So, you’ve moved past the chocolate-covered pickles from last week?”

“Not yet.” I smile and lean up from the porch swing admiring the vegetables that have come in since the last time we were here.I wonder which of those would taste good drenched in chocolate.“I’ve just added more to the list.” My mom and Mrs. Robinson stand, and we all hug out our goodbyes with the sweet scent of berries in the air.

It’s wild to me that a year ago I was standing in this same spot, thinking Gunner was too old for me. Heck, we’d called the whole thing off.

Thankfully, fate has a way with these things, and now we grill out on sunny days, lay in bed on rainy ones, and we hold each other close when the world goes to war around us. It’s not always wildflowers and rainbows, but I know for sure I’m always his little honeybee, and at the end of the day… that’s all I’ll ever need.

---