Page 52 of The Bastard Heir
While she’d been attending classes, Castillo had spent the past three years helping Hunter bring his prime horse stock to market here in Boston. Because of their superior performance in a few of the better-known races, Jameson horses had become something of a status symbol among the gentlemen in the highest social circles. “All of them?”
“All of them,” he confirmed. “There’s a waiting list and deposits for the foals that’ll be born in the spring.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m so proud of you.” He’d been at loose ends a bit when they’d first come to Boston, reluctantly accepting the money her father had settled on Caroline to help them make it through that first year. But by the second year, they’d been able to afford a modest lifestyle with his income.
He let out a little whoop and tightened his arms around her waist to lift her off her feet and twirl around with her. “If you’re proud of me now, just wait until we break ground on your new office come spring,” he teased, nipping at her bottom lip.
She laughed and wondered how it was possible that she could be so deliriously happy. How had she been lucky enough to find him? He didn’t want to use her father’s money to pay for their living expenses, but he’d had no problem suggesting they dip into his mining income to build her a respectable clinic in Helena. Of course, his relationship with his father had improved a bit over the past three years. Tanner had come to visit them a couple of times and had welcomed Miguel at Jameson Ranch when he’d graduated and shown an interest in the business.
As much as she loved her parents and was sad about leaving them behind in Boston, their family was in Helena and Caroline wanted to be there with them more than anywhere else in the world. Aunt Prudie had even indicated she’d be a frequent visitor when they moved and Caroline hoped her parents would follow suit. Her mother had come to like Castillo very much, and her father spoke often of retiring. Besides, there were few qualified physicians in Helena, and Caroline felt she could make a bigger impact there than in Boston.
She had Glory on her side, too. Since the tragedy with Victoria House…well, Glory and Zane hadn’t looked back and Glory had committed her considerable resources to helping the women of Montana with Zane at her side. With so many people committed to helping Caroline succeed, she was looking forward to embracing her new family in Helena.
“I can best your new office,” she teased.
His brow furrowed. “Impossible. You saw the sketches. It’s as fine as anything you can find here in Boston.”
“That’s not what I mean.” She shook her head for emphasis. She had no doubt the clinic would be the best in the state. They’d made sure it would be outfitted with the best equipment needed to cater to the medical needs of the women of Helena, along with the few brave men who might come to her for treatment. “I’ll have something even more amazing for you in the spring.”
“What?” He clearly had no clue what she meant, so she decided to put him out of his misery.
“A baby.” She couldn’t stop a gigantic smile from taking over her face.
His face went completely blank, and then a small smile tugged the corner of his mouth. His hands came up to cup her face. “A baby?”
She nodded.
“You’re certain?”
She nodded again. “Positive. I waited to tell you until I was sure.”
He stroked a strand of hair back from her face, and stared down at her as if she was the most precious thing in his world. Then that hand went down to her belly as if to check and make sure she hadn’t changed somehow since morning. She was only two months pregnant, so it’d be a little longer before he could feel it. He didn’t move his hand, though, and she covered it with hers.
“A baby,” he whispered, his voice husky and reverent. “I can’t think of a better way to start our new life together.”
She kissed him again, thinking that Aunt Prudie had been right all along. Her hope that things would work out had seen them through to this amazing life they’d created.
