Page 11 of Homecoming

“God yes. She’s been pushing me around my whole life. I would’ve loved to have had you around to fight my battles for me back in the day.”

Even though he was still sweaty, Dan tightened his hold on her. It burned his ass to hear her talk about anyone pushing her around. “No one can touch you now, sweetheart. You’re older, stronger, more able to defend yourself. You wouldn’t even need me to help fight your battles these days.”

“Probably not, but everything is better when you’re here.”

God, he loved her with all his heart, and he honestly suspected he could kill anyone who tried to harm her in any way. Not that he would. Who had time for all that paperwork? But anyone who bothered his wife would have to deal with him, including her own family. Especially them.

“Bertha made breakfast for us.”

“Of course she did.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Not yet. Woke up nauseated as usual.”

“You’re in the home stretch, love. Soon enough, you’ll be feeling great again.”

“I hear we’re going to be sleep-deprived and cranky after our precious package arrives.”

“You could never be cranky, and I’ll make sure you get plenty of sleep.” He gave her a pat on the bum so he could get up. “I’m going to shower and head to the cop shop to see what’s what, okay?”

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.”

“Yes, I really do. You’ve been dragged into this nightmare because you’re married to me.”

“Being married to you is the best thing to ever happen to me. If it comes with some in-law aggravation, well, then, so be it. The pros vastly outweigh the cons.”

“You say that now.”

“I’ll say that always.” He kissed her. “Don’t forget that while a situation like this is new to you and your family, I handle nightmares for a living, so don’t fret.”

“Can’t help it. This’ll be your first full exposure to the special joy known as the Ballard family. What if you regret your choice of wife?—”

He kissed the words off her lips. “Hush. I’ll never regret my choice. I married the one person in this whole world I couldn’t live without, and nothing that happens here will change that. Tell me you believe me.”

“I do…”

“No buts, Kara. You and me, and little Dylan… We’re forever. This is temporary.” He rested his hand on the curve of her baby bump and was rewarded with a swift kick to the palm from his son. They’d chosen not to find out for sure what they werehaving, but they both believed the baby was a boy because of that kick. “Please don’t spend one second worrying about things changing between us because of your family. I love you madly.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I love you, too.”

“Sorry about the coffee breath.” He tried to keep that away from her when she was nauseated in the morning.

“It was worth it.”

“What’re you going to do while I’m gone?”

“Renata is coming to get me to go into town for a bit.”

“That’ll be fun.”

“How’re you getting to the police station?”

“I hired a guy to drive me around.”

“You did what?”

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