Page 21 of My Devoted Mountain Man

10 years later

Erika

I'm lying on a daybed that Fletcher put out in our back yard so that I could laze about during the day as if that was possiblewith three children and one on the way. The summer breeze touches my face as if it’s laying a kiss on my cheek.

Fletcher comes out of the house with some lemonade for us and sets the tray on the table next to me. I scooch over so that he can lie down beside me. He immediately takes up my invitation and takes me into his arms.

One strong arm is behind me, and the other he lays on top of my huge belly. His hand travels across my pregnant stomach. I'm due any day now, which is why the kids are staying with friends. Suddenly, the baby moves, and Fletcher's hand follows him or her.

"I think it's going to be a boy," he says.

"Oh yeah? What makes you say that?"

"He's been so active. Always moving, always kicking. I think we've got a football star on our hands."

"Tired of being surrounded by the female population?"

"I love my girls." He huffs out.

"But you want a boy to play catch with."

"They all play catch with me already."

"I know our girls can be too much sometimes."

"They are perfect."

"Isn't it weird that the baby hasn't come yet? All the others came before the time was up."

"Joey really surprised us."

"I wish you hadn't given them all boys’ names."

"Joey, Charlie, and Alex are perfectly good girl names."

"They're going to be so bullied at school. It's on you. I get dibs on this one, though."

"What? When was that decided?"

"Just now."

He's rubbing my belly absentmindedly, and I smile at how happy he is about our life and our children. He pours me a glassof lemonade, and I take a sip of the tart yet sweet liquid. It goes down my throat, cooling me in the process.

"Should we stop after this one?"

"Only if you want to."

"I'm conflicted about it. As it is, you're going to be in your seventies when this one leaves for college."

"Sorry, you married an old man?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Never. You are my soulmate, Fletcher Connors."

The sun starts to make me sweat, and that means I'm uncomfortable and can't stand to be outside anymore. Fletcher knows how it is for me when I'm pregnant, so he takes me inside and helps me shower. He still carries me around whenever he gets the opportunity, and now is no different.

I let him take over in the shower, and he lathers me up. I can almost hear a low growl coming from him. He gets really horny when I'm about to burst like this.

"You think we should try what the doctor said to start things along?" I ask.

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