Page 12 of Rancher's Rescue
“Yes, Kane, I will marry you.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. It felt like the first time, now knowing what he held so secretly inside him. He was lighter, his eyes sparkled like they hadn’t before. Pulling away from him, he motioned for the kids to come in.
They ran from their hiding spot and slammed into us as they flung their arms around us. “Kane, can I call you dad now?” Kit asked, looking up at him wide eyed and hopeful.
"I'd be honored, Kit," he said as he swung her up into his arms, while I grabbed Marshall who was attempting to climb Kane’s leg to get closer to us..
“Well, looks like we’re a family now.” I said, smiling at three of the most important people in my life.
“I thought we were a family the day Kane got here?” Marshall asked with a serious look on his face.
“Well, buddy, I think we were that day too,” Kane said, smiling at me. He mouthed, “I love you.”
My heart flipped and butterflies danced in my stomach, and I mouthed back, “I love you too.”
EPILOGUE
MAGGIE
One Year Later
Winter had started early this year, and I was miserable. Not only because the snow had us pretty much locked in already, but I was ready to evict the twins that were practicing their steer wrestling moves.
“Road’s plugged at the corner. The kids are going to have to stay in town until I can get the tractor warmed up.” Kane pulled off his snow covered coat and hung it in the closet, and sat on the chair to take off his boots. “I’ll have to plow out the corrals too, they’re just as bad. They got the brunt of the drifts. Mags, are you alright?” He’d walked into the kitchen where I was hanging onto the sink for dear life.
“How long will it take you to plow out the road?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“A couple, three hours, I suspect.” He walked around the island and stood beside me, leaning on the counter. “Babe?”
“I don’t think we have three hours.” I looked up at him, and I watched his face register what I’d just said. “These two are coming today.”
“Okay, well, let’s get you settled in and I will start making phone calls.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and walked me to our bedroom. “You should change.” He looked at me and frowned.
“Well Kane, I don’t really have anything in my closet for having babies.” Sarcasm flowed out of me, and I didn’t even care. He arched this brow and shook his head.
“Then be naked.”
“No, not a chance. That’s what got me into this situation.”
“Actually, a late night in the calving barn caused the situation you’re in now.” His smile was annoying, and I grabbed a pillow off the bed and tossed it at him. Of course, he caught it and moved closer to me. “And if I have my way, we’ll be spending way more late nights out there together. Now get undressed.” He reached for the top button on my shirt. I wanted to stay mad at him, but I couldn’t. He was right. It had been a night to remember.
A contraction gripped my body, and I bent over the bed. I couldn’t catch my breath, panting. I closed my eyes as tears filled them. That’s how Kane found me when he came back into the room. “I’m here.” He rubbed my back, as if magic the contraction eased with his strong touch, like the babies knew he was back in the room. When I’d been pregnant with Kit and Marshall, my late husband had taken little of an interest in my growing belly. He loved his kids, but it just wasn’t who he was. But Kane, from the day I told him I was pregnant, touched me, talked to my stomach, and made sure these kids knew he was always here.
“I called Jack. He’s going to get here,” he smiled. Jack Gordon was the local doctor. He would be better than nothing, I thought. “He gave me a list of things we would need and I have them ready for him.”
“You said the road’s blocked. How’s he getting here?” I sat on the bed and Kane pulled my pants off.
“By snowmobile baby. He’ll get here.” He took my shirt and tossed it on the chair behind him.
“This wasn’t part of my birth plan.” I was pouting. I hated women that pouted.
“What did that include?” He asked. He knew we’d talked about it many times, but he was just trying to keep me occupied. Kane lifted my arm and slid it into one of his old shirts. He brought it around my back and repeated the process.
“A hospital, doctors who deliver babies and an epidural.” His shirt smelled like him, and even though he was right here with me I felt a calm wash over me. He lifted my legs onto the bed and stood.
“I’ve got some horse tranquilizer in the barn.” He said as he pulled the blanket up over my legs and stomach.
“You’re so funny.” I rolled my eyes.
* * *
