Page 105 of Wrecked for Love
“Noah,” I said, turning back to my brother, “we’re pregnant.”
Noah blinked, the news taking a second to land. “You’re kidding me.” His voice cracked with emotion.
I shook my head, a grin stretching across my face. “No joke, Noah. You’re gonna be an uncle.”
Noah’s eyes glistened. Without a word, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me—lightly. But it felt like the biggest, most overdue embrace in the world. Everything unspoken between us was coming back together.
“Tell me you’re staying for Christmas,” I said, unable to hide the hope in my voice.
“If I’m welcome,” he said, glancing between me and Claire.
“Since when are you not welcome at The Lazy Moose?” I shot back, jabbing his arm with my bandaged hand, while Claire beamed beside me, practically bouncing with excitement.
“Careful there! You’re not exactly ready for a boxing match,” Noah teased, grinning like he finally had the upper hand.
I smirked. “Don’t worry, I’m saving it for next time.”
Noah raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, maybe try not to punch a bull this time.”
We both laughed, and even the nurse who came in to check my vitals seemed surprised by how lighthearted the room was. This wasn’t about me being a patient anymore, and it wasn’t just another reunion. This was family finding its way back together, like the missing pieces were finally clicking into place, just in time for the holidays.
44
ELIA
Christmas had come and gone—one of the best in years at The Lazy Moose. Having my brother at the dinner table felt like a miracle in itself. And finally, Log got his wish—a double date with me and Claire. The holiday had been full of banter, good-natured roasting, and more than a few embarrassing moments, thanks to my moonshine and Claire’s knockout eggnog.
Noah had flown back to Salt Lake City, and as usual, he wouldn’t say when he’d be back. But this time, it felt different. He wasn’t really gone, just elsewhere for now. We still had a lot to talk about, and something told me he’d return before long.
Thanks to Daniel’s brave testimony, Armand Voss was finally behind bars. He might be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but that didn’t stop justice from catching up to him. The sheriff and the prosecutor were confident Armand would spend a long time in jail.
Still, it hurt that Tessa’s death remained ruled an accident. Claire had told the sheriff everything Armand Voss confessed to her, and she even testified during the trial for her own attack. It wasn’t enough to reopen Tessa’s case, but now the whole townof Buffaloberry Hill knew the truth. And that, at least, felt like a small piece of justice.
Meanwhile, Philip ‘Fritzy’ Fritz—the Vosses’s cousin who had been bouncing between Arizona and Montana—was now behind bars for kidnapping. He had been trying to prove himself to Lucien and Armand, desperate for their approval after being rejected by his own family for being “weak.” It was sad in a way, but I couldn’t summon much sympathy.
As for Gideon Purcell, the head of The Revenants, he’d been extradited to New York and was facing multiple murder charges, including the deaths of Lucien Voss and Dr. Rick Ashbourne. The discovery of Dr. Ashbourne’s diary had been a game changer. In it, he detailed everything he did for Claire and how he gave her his deceased daughter’s identity, though he never mentioned Claire by name, only as “a lovely young woman.” I wish I had a chance to thank the doctor. Without him, I wouldn’t have met Claire.
The New York prosecutors had also dropped the charges against Claire for the Brentwood massacre, accepting that it had all been self-defense. I knew it hadn’t been easy for her to relive those moments, but at least now she could finally leave the New York nightmare behind.
Logan couldn’t stop smiling when he found out The Willow had another renter. He credited Claire’s work in transforming the place into a real estate gem. I bet my Chili Pepper was proud, knowing she’d left her mark on this little town.
As for me, I was back in action. Bones had mended, bruises had faded—no more wincing every time I tossed a hay bale. Ranch life was good again. But then, I had a new role to embrace: fatherhood. Claire had started to show, and so far, her pregnancy had been smooth sailing. It looked like I was going to have to brush up on my diaper-wrangling skills soon.
Relaxing in the house, I served Claire her tea as she settled on the couch. “How’s my spicy mama?”
She glanced up, her expression mellow. “A little guilty, honestly.”
I gave her crown a small peck. “Don’t be. My ego’s sky-high right now, knowing I can take care of you.”
I turned back to the kitchen to prepare something else for her. When I returned,Fixer Upperwas playing in the background.
“Scoping out your next project?” I remarked, carrying the hot water basin.
“Maybe,” she murmured, then turned suddenly. “Oh, Elia, you didn’t have to?—”
“Shoosh,” I interrupted, setting the basin down. She dipped her feet in with a contented sigh. “You know, Chili, you’re free to renovate this place however you like. Just…maybe not all yellow.”
She laughed. “I’ve learned moderation since then. I guess I was just a little too happy when I redid The Willow.”
