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Heath presented him with a knit scarf and hat. “The color really pops against a black or grey coat,” he said, then smirked. “I call the pattern Ball and Chain.”
Leah rose on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, rubbing off her lipstick stain with a spit dampened thumb. “Well, sugar, I guess you’ll do. Maybe I’ll get some dark headed grandbabies out of the two of you.”
His wife blushed. “Can we be married for a while first?”
“We’ll do our best.” Christian smirked at Luke. “Give it the all-American try.”
“Someone tell me why we’re not kicking his ass?” Luke asked, his voice rough.
As the rest of her family offered their support and presents, he watched Zoe as she talked to Melanie. Their conversation ended with Zoe shaking her head and grabbing a large picnic basket.
Suddenly, Melanie let out a groan and grabbed her huge belly.
Everyone rushed to her side.
“Are you hurt?”
“Is the baby coming?”
“Maybe it’s gas.”
“Maybe she can’t stand the thought of Romanov being a part of the family.”
Zoe shooed them away. “I think Melanie needs to go to the doctor.”
Luke raised his hand. “There’s already a doctor in the house.”
“She means a real doctor, not a guy who plays one on T.V.,” Logan said.
Carter shoved everyone out of his way and helped Melanie walk to the door. “Zoe, watch SmithAnn.”
“No,” Melanie shouted and everyone stopped to look at her. “I want Zoe with me.”
“I’ll take SmithAnn,” Leah said, taking her grand-daughter’s hand.
“Let’s go Christian,” Zoe said, tugging him after the couple heading to their minivan.
Christian dragged his feet. “I don’t think she wants me, love. And I’m sure as hell not ready to be in the room with her.”
Zoe gave him an exasperated look. “I’m bringing you to keep Carter company. He’ll be nervous.” She set the basket in the van and climbed in.
Christian climbed in after her, entirely confused. Why would Carter need him of all people? This was Melanie and Carter’s second child. Something was not as it seemed, but he got in anyway.
After about five miles, Melanie yelled for her husband to stop and he hit the brakes. Christian glanced at his wife, but she was busy giving her sister-in-law a hug. The door slid open and she got out, grabbing the basket and motioning him to follow.
With a mischievous grin, Melanie waved at them. The minivan took off.
“Are you going to tell me what madness has taken over or is this your way of saying you’d like to have a picnic?” he asked.
“I had to get us out of there.”
“You couldn’t have asked everyone to leave?”
“They were planning on staying for dinner,” she said, walking to the edge of the forest, then back to him. “I want to take you some place special.”
He raised his brows. “The legendary springs?”
She nodded and set off in the opposite direction. “But I can’t find the dumb trees. They’re entwined dogwoods.”
“You mean these?”
Chapter Forty
Christian waited by the slender-branched trees, showy pink blossoms falling as the wind gently blew.
“You found them,” she said, running to him.
Taking the basket from her, he grabbed her hand and kissed the palm. “Which way?”
“Where you go, I’ll follow,” she heard herself say.
“Together.” He brushed past the trees and went left.
She followed him, deeper and deeper into the forest, until time seemed to stand still and not even the sun dared to set. A great hush descended, as if even the trees and animals were holding their breath in anticipation.
The sound of water rushing over rocks sang in her ears. He abruptly turned right and stopped. A blanket of ivy hanging from branches above seemed to part in front of them, like a giant curtain on opening night. Her eyes grew round and her heart tripled its beat. She placed a hand on her chest.
“I can’t believe we found—”
“The Garden of Eden,” he finished.
Leafy plants, orchids, roses and a multitude of flowers that she had no name for grew together as no plants of the tropical and evergreen variety should. But there they were, cohabiting in harmony. Butterflies fluttered and dragonflies zoomed. A tall waterfall tumbled over rocks and splashed down into a crystal clear pool of water.
The real Holland Springs.
Hands clasped tight, they walked through the parted ivy and up to the pool of water.
Standing at the edge, she looked down, relieved to see nothing but a sandy bottom even as her palms grew damp in anticipation. She licked her lips, unable to say anything.
He clasped her waist and slowly turned her to face him. “Tell me.”
“I love you, Christian,” she said simply. No embellishment needed.
“Those are the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard,” he whispered before his mouth came down on hers. A kiss of fulfilled promises and a future together. A kiss that mended even the smallest pieces of her broken heart.
Reluctantly, she pulled away and began to unbutton her shirt. He watched her, his face intense as she removed her clothes. His clothes quickly joined hers. She couldn’t help but admire him. The way his lean body gleamed in the sun. The rose tattoo on his muscular chest. The way his strong thighs gave way to muscular calves. Even his feet and hands were perfection.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, reaching out to touch him.
He sucked in his stomach when her fingers caressed him and she gave a low laugh. But it was short lived as his erection stood hard and thick between them. He gave her a wicked smile and wrapped his hand around it, slowly working it up and down its considerably length.
“Do you think this is beautiful as well?”
Her mouth became dry as the Sahara while the Amazon ran between her thighs. She tried swallowing, but was unsuccessful until he turned away and dove into the pool of water. She watched his body in motion, gliding through the depths until he broke the surface and shook out his hair.
“Get in with me.”
“It’s too deep,” she said when her mouth returned to normal.
He swam her way and held out his arms. “I’ll catch you.”
Taking a deep breath, she jumped in. Water surrounded her, but instead of the shock of cold, the water was perfect. Tiny bubbles tickled and caressed her skin. She was hauled to the surface, making full contact with his hard body. She tangled her fingers in his hair and brought his face down to hers.
