Page 134 of Duke
“I mean, I do. But if you have something you’d like to say…”
I squeeze his hand. “You first.”
“All right.” His broad shoulders rise on an inhale before he glances at his family. “Y’all will be happy to know Wheeler finally agreed to be my girlfriend.”
Wyatt throws up his hands. “Hell yeah, she did!”
“What a shocker.” Sawyer smiles as he slips his hand into his front pocket. “The two of you have only been making eyes at each other for how many months now?”
Ava gives him a playful shove. “You know better than anyone that timing is everything.”
“So do you.” He leans in to kiss her.
Duke gives my hand a squeeze.Your turn.
I also take a deep breath. “We’re also going to have a baby. He or she—”
“She,” Ryder says.
Wyatt nods. “Definitely a she.”
I’m smiling so hard my face hurts. “She—or he—is due a little after the New Year.”
The patio erupts in hoots and hollers. John B and Patsy have snuck their way in, and they clap, absolutely delighted. I watch, eyes brimming, as Ryder extends a hand to Duke. He takes it, and then Ryder is pulling his twin in for a hug—the kind where guys slap each other on the back because they’re so overwhelmed they don’t know what else to do with themselves.
Ava and Mollie are crying, and Sally is taking both my hands in hers, eyes gleaming as she tells me how excited she is to see the family grow.
“Gimme a bump.” Mollie sticks out her stomach. “C’mon. Don’t make me wait, Wheeler. I know you wanna.”
It’s my turn to roll my eyes, but I give her the belly bump she’s looking for. Then she pulls me in for the fiercest, tightest hug she’s ever given me.
“Proud of you, friend,” she says in my ear. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”
“Getting knocked up by cowboys?” I say with a laugh.
“Yes. Also, loving yourself as hard as you love him.”
My heart lurches. Yes, I’m well aware that I’ve beenin the processof falling for Duke.
Falling hard and apparently falling fast, because hearing that word—love—in relation to him feels…right.
It feels true. Which should scare the ever-loving shit out of me. I mean, it wasn’t long ago that I was terrified todatethe guy. Now I’m in love with him, and I’m not panicking or running for the hills?
“Who the hell am I?” I manage.
Mollie gives me one last squeeze. “You’re exactly who you’ve always known yourself to be. I’m legit thrilled you finally have the courage to acknowledge her. Also, congrats on the superhot stud. I mean that literally.”
“Ha. Funny cowgirl joke.”
“I am a cowgirl now.” She pats my back. “Only a matter of time before you become one too.”
Cash, who’s been shamelessly eavesdropping, gives me a smile. “Howdy, mama.”
CHAPTER 31
New Hire
Wheeler
