Charles came to a stop in front of her, a look of wonder softening his entire expression as his focus shifted from Kizzie's face to the little bundle wiggling against her shoulder.
Yes. This was what she'd hoped to see. This awe at the sight of his firstborn son. The look any good daddy ought to show in light of such a sweet miracle.
He shifted a step nearer. “This … this is …”
“Charlie.” Kizzie tipped her chin up at the announcement, her palm tightening on the baby's back.
Charles’ gaze shot to hers, the faintest tip to one corner of his mouth. “Charlie?”
He stared at the baby like he'd never seen one before as Joshua and Nella silently slipped from the room.
The warm glow of the hearth cast a soft light on Charles’ features, drawing Kizzie closer to him. “He's been sweet so far. Hungry often, but so sweet.”
“I'm glad.” Charles leaned in, looking down at his son. Charlie stared right back with similar intensity. “My son.”
The whispered response squeezed through Kizzie's heart. Yes. His son. And their little family. Kizzie shifted the baby in her arms. “Do you want to hold him?”
Without a word, Charles drew in a deep breath and wiped his palms down the sides of his slacks in answer. Kizzie's smile softened. He proved quite the sight, fumbling around like a schoolboy, when all she'd ever known was the confident landowner or dashing suitor. Perhaps the future wasn't so terrifying after all. All Charles needed was time to adjust to the idea of a wife and child.
Kizzie transferred the baby into his arms, taking in the wonder of Charles’ response. “He … he has light hair like me,” he said.
Warmth branched through Kizzie's chest. Hope, all the way from Charles’ voice to her heart. “He sure does.”
“But blue eyes like you.” Charles glanced up, holding her gaze, his smile crooking in the way it did when she remembered first falling beneath his spell.
She'd never had a man look at her the way he had.
Speak to her the way he did.
She'd felt every bit like Cinderella in the presence of her handsome prince.
Heat flooded her face, and she lowered her attention to their baby, slowly bringing her palm up to cup little Charlie's soft head. “Nella says he's strong, even though he's small. He eats like he's trying to catch up though.”
Charles took hold of one of Charlie's fingers, the connection creasing the man's smile even wider. “He is strong.” Charles caught Kizzie's gaze. “Like you, I hear.”
She raised a brow.
“Joshua told me about your daddy and the coyotes.”
“Yes.” Kizzie looked away. “The Chappells have been real good to me and Charlie.”
He cleared his throat. “I'm sorry I didn't come sooner.”
She searched his eyes for any hint of deception. “Are you?”
“I should have come as soon as I heard.” He nodded. “I'd hoped your family would help you for however long necessary, but … I spent yesterday making a plan, one I should have thought of from the start.”
She held her breath, her smile on the brink of unfurling in anticipation of the one question she'd wanted him to ask since kissing him. “Plan?”
“It's the perfect plan.” His eyes sparkled as he reached out to run a thumb down her cheek. “I've already given the Petersons notice.”
Kizzie blinked out of the fog his touch started in her head. The Petersons? The family that lived on the far side of the Morgan property? What did they have to do with her future?
“They'll be out of the house by next week, which means you and Charlie can move there as soon as I make some improvements to make it suitable for you and my boy.”
The words failed to make sense.
“That house is in the best location for you. Nearer to town, only a few miles from the Chappells’.” Charles nodded back toward the way Joshua and Nella disappeared. “I've already asked Joshua to help keep an eye on you.”
