Page 67 of Nashville Cowboy
Eve didn’t think it would be possible to laugh, but Jackson’s puzzled expression pulled one out of her. “No. She hasn’t told him yet, and doesn’t think it’s fair to wait until after the wedding.”
“Like he’s going to back out now? Is she nuts? Why scare him like this?”
“She wants to start the marriage off by being perfectly honest. She was going to tell him on the honeymoon.”
“Well, I’m glad they’re working it out.” Jackson was silent for a long beat. “Eve, that day?”
No need to ask what day.Theirwedding day. She simply looked up at him, wordless, feeling her legs shake and tremble.
“You should have talked to me before the wedding. Then you would have known that I wanted to get married. I loved you and I would haveneverregretted staying behind. Maybe Nashville would have come later for me. Forus. Who knows? But when you left me? I was so angry.” He reached for her hand, threaded his fingers through hers. “I made a mistake, too. And I need you to forgive me for that.”
Eve never thought she’d hear this out of Jackson. An apology. For a moment she froze. “Forgive you?”
“It was a mistake not to come and find you. I should have swallowed my pride and maybe we would be married today.”
“Maybe so, or maybe we would be divorced.”
“I doubt that. But I’m sorry for my part.” He pulled her into his arms. “So sorry.”
“I know, Jackson. I know.” She pulled out of his arms. “I need to tell the pastor we’re startin’ late.”
“Let’s both do it.” And Jackson held out his hand.
Chapter 23
Lincoln’s heart pounded in his chest like a horse stampede. He was about to find out why Sadie had been acting so strangely these past two weeks. It couldn’t be because she wanted to back out. Sadie was his and his alone. And he was hers. But somehow, he’d failed to reassure her that he wanted this moment. Marriage and commitment. A true partnership and real love. It had taken so long to find her, and when he did, turned out she’d always been there. Right under his nose.
He wouldn’t lose her now due to nerves, or whatever else. When he threw open the door to the suite, she was already facing him. Dressed in white, she was a cross between an angel and a princess. In her hands she held a bouquet filled with purple flowers which she carefully set aside. She looked radiant. A little like the sun. He’d never seen anything or anyone more beautiful in this life and for a moment, he couldn’t speak.
“What is it, baby? You wanted to talk to me?” He drew her into his arms.
“Oh, Lincoln.”
He nearly had a heart attack at the anguish in her voice and pulled back to search her eyes. In them, he saw no change. She loved him. Still. Thank the Lord for that.
“Tell me.”
“I have news. I hope you’ll be happy. I’m…we’re…having a baby. You’re going to be a daddy.”
Stunned at the news, he was robbed of the simplicity of words. Words like, “what?”
“I wanted to tell you the minute I found out, then I got nervous, because we didn’t plan for a baby this soon. So, I thought I’d tell you on the honeymoon, as a surprise. Maybe you’d be relaxed and take it well. But then, my mother took me to breakfast for a talk, and she told me I should never keepanythingfrom my husband. And I—”
“She’s right,” he finally spoke.
If someone would have told him a year ago that he’d be happy about this news, he’d have called them a liar. But everything changed when he fell in love with Sadie. Everything. And, it was still changing. The thing of it all was that he’d always loved a good ride. And Sadie was giving him one. Every day.
“Please forgive me for not telling you before today.” Her eyes were wide, watery, and filled with…worry.
She was afraidhe’dbe the one to back out now.
“Baby, how could you ever think I wouldn’t be happy about this?” He brought her hands to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles.
“Because…we’re not ready.”
“And it’s happening anyway.” He grinned, bringing his palm to rest against her belly.
“You… You’re happy.” She seemed genuinely surprised.
