Page 61 of Gatling
“Youwillfuck it up,” Noah repeated. “And you will break Kelsie’s heart. Then you will apologize and you will try harder to do better next time. Because that is what it means to be a husband and a father. That is what you do for the people you care about.”
I groaned and rested my head in my hands. Regret churned in my stomach for drinking all that whiskey.
“Kelsie is waiting at the cabin,” Noah said.
“She’shere?” I replied, incredulous.
“Yep.”
I groaned again.
Noah reached into his pocket and retrieved a tin of mints, tossing it at me.
“Swallow a few of those. Your breath reeks. It might take the edge off.”
I took a handful of snow and pressed it against the back of my neck. It cleared the cobwebs from my mind a little, sharpened my senses after the edges had been dulled by alcohol.
Noah crossed his arms, standing by while I regained my composure. I swayed to my feet, bracing one hand against the tree for support.
“Can I ask…for a favor?”
He snorted.
“You’re not really in a position to do that. In fact, you should be groveling for my forgiveness after getting my sister pregnant. But we’ll hash out details on that later. So go ahead. Fire away. What do you want?”
I pressed the tip of my tongue to the roof of my mouth. I couldn’t believe I was about to say these words.
“Would you help me…figure out the best way to propose to your sister? I have no idea what I’m doing. And she’s really into that romantic shit, so I want it to be good for her.”
Noah raised his eyebrows. I could have sworn he looked almost impressed.
“Yeah. I think we can work something out.”
Together, Noah and I trekked back to my cabin. Kelsie huddled on the porch steps, shivering in the cold. My cut was bundled in her arms, hugged to her chest. As we approached, she stood with bright hope in her eyes.
“Hey sunshine,” I said softly.
“Hi.” She reached out and hooked two fingers into my coat pocket, tugging me closer. “I found your cut in the cabin and I just got this…bad feeling. Like you were thinking about leaving."
She searched my face with a worried look. I took her hand and peeled off her glove, pressing my lips to her warm, smooth skin.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying right here for my girls.”
Kelsie beamed. She rose up on tiptoe, sliding her arms around my neck with a kiss.
Epilogue
Kelsie - Six Months Later
“I feel like a whale,” I said with a sigh, resting my hands on top of my belly.
The sun’s warmth felt so wonderful after the long, cold winter. Ryker and I found a cute little farmhouse on the edge of town. Noah offered us a loan to cover the cost, and we closed the deal by Easter.
Now in early spring, we were fully moved in. The Blackjacks put together a housewarming party to celebrate. I knew everyone so well now, after they helped us transport furniture, paint our house, cleaned the rain gutters, and landscaped the backyard.
“You look beautiful, sunshine.” Seated on the bench next to me, Ryker tugged my feet into his lap. Sliding my sandals off, he rubbed my swollen ankles and aching feet. “You always do.”
“I think you need your eyes checked,” I replied. “That pepper spray blinded you.”
