Page 152 of True North

But long hours and the stress of working a business weighed on her when she found out she was pregnant. So, when she told me before Hudson was born she was going silent on the restaurant, I knew she was making a good choice not only for her, but for us.

We spent the last eight years workin’. Lovin’. Making up for all those years we were apart. And when we werefinallyblessed with the chance at havin’ a family, the way her face lit up when the stick turned and she realized she was with child... That memory, I’ll never give up.

I thought I’d loved her in every way possible ’til that day.

That changed again a week ago when the strongest fuckin’ woman I’ve ever known birthed me a son. The hours of agony she went through, only to come out smilin’ when I bent over and cut the cord.

A man has never cried so hard in front of so many people.

So, a kitchen and a quaint white fence is the least I can give her today. I glance at the sky, of which the sun is halfway up. I still have one more errand before I head into town.

If I don’t hurry, I’ll be late.

Ain’t no way that’s happenin’. I promised to arrive at lunchtime. And I intend on keepin’ my word and addin’ some of those wildflowers she loves so much from our hills here on the ranch. I jump into the truck and poke toward the hills to the south.

Cresting the top of the first flower-covered hill, I park and gather as many flowers as I can manage. Once the cab is overflowing with the small yellow flowers on their raggedy stems, I slide back inside and track back toward the homestead.

An hour later, I have everything organized.

Flowers everywhere.

In vases.

Scattered over the floor and down the hall.

By our bed... Check.

Crib set up and baby things at the ready.

New kitchen all cleaned for use, food and utensils, pots and pans all stowed away. Check.

New white fence wrapping all the way round our homestead yard to raise our babies in. Check.

Shaved. Check.

Nervous as hell. Check.

Pining away, still, for the only woman I’ve ever loved.

Check and check.

* * *

The little hospital is quiet. I poke my head through the door to Louisa’s room, and her wide smile and lit-up green eyes are the first thing I see. In her arms lies a small bundle. Throat workin’ at the tiny sounds he makes, I drag my hat from my head.

I pad to Lou’s side, brushing a kiss over her lips. “Hey, darlin’.”

“Hey, Harry.” Her words choke up. “Hey little man, daddy’s here.”

She lifts him up to me.

I drop my hat onto the bed and wrap my arms around him. He nestles into my hold. I make a promise to myself that he will know just how loved he is. And I decide right there that I will work every day to show him what it is to be a good man.

Leading by example.

So my wife never has to make a hard choice.

So she is never left alone.

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