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“Never was much for worms,” Ryder agreed.
“Except for the ones you’d chase the girls around the playground with?” she asked.
They both looked up at her, wearing almost identical grins. Her heart thumped. She was one lucky woman.
“Well, now, that’s an entirely different use. A better use for a worm, if you ask me.” Ryder winked at her. “Remember that, Cody.”
She rolled her eyes. “Cody, Grandpa Teddy said your show was coming on?”
Cody and Teddy had taken to watching some car-restoration program together. Annabeth had tried to sit through it a few times, but ended up dozing off.
Cody nodded, reeling in his line. “Thanks, Ma.” He put his things away, pulled on his boots, gave her a quick hug and ran back to the Lodge.
“He’s going to hate moving back to the house.” Annabeth watched Cody go. There was room here, to run and play and be a boy.
Ryder packed his things up, glancing up at her. “He’ll be fine.” Ryder stood, stretching. He held out his hand to her. “Come here.”
She hugged him, smiling up at him. “Catch anything?”
“Just you.” He kissed her, laughing when an especially hard kick from the twins hit him in the stomach. “They’re feisty tonight.” He bent, speaking to he
r stomach. “You two go easy on your mom.” He grinned up at her. “Up for going out?”
She nodded. Nervous, but excited, too. “Getting a little stir-crazy. And Doc Meyer said I was fine. Clear for normal activities.” She pulled him up. “Are you trying to break our date?”
“No, ma’am.” Ryder stared down at her. “A whole night with my wife to myself? Not a chance.”
“Renata’s here, with pizza. Your dad found some car show marathon—poor Renata. And the bags are in the truck.” She took the hand he offered, following him back up the trail to the Lodge. “Still won’t tell me where we’re going?” She sighed when he shook his head. “Is it far?” The bigger she got, the harder it was to sit still for long periods of time.
“Not far.” He opened the back door into the Lodge.
She felt great, reenergized, more than ready to go back to work in a week. And very enthusiastic about a night with her husband. Ryder was still being extracareful with her, a little too careful with her. But she had high hopes for tonight.
Things had changed since that awful night in the hospital. Most importantly, Ryder loved her. He told her, regularly. And when he didn’t say it, he showed it in a way that left no room for doubt.
And, she’d taken the job—then immediately gone on a three-week leave of absence. Ken was all too happy to step in while she was getting the rest Doc Meyer said she needed. Rest and food. Her test results proved she was dehydrated and anemic, and several pounds underweight. Ryder, Cody and Teddy were relentless in their devotion to “fattening her up.”
She pressed a kiss to Cody’s forehead, thanked Teddy and hugged Renata before Ryder pulled her out the front door and into his truck.
“You in a hurry?” she asked.
“It’s getting late. We’re losing daylight,” he said, as if that explained anything.
“And daylight is necessary for...?” she teased, taking a moment to appreciate her husband’s strong profile.
He laughed. “You’ll see.”
Ryder drove into town, past the elementary school and toward her house. But instead of turning right, he turned left...and stopped in front of the Czinkovic place. The for-sale sign was gone and Ryder’s motorcycle was parked out front.
Annabeth stared out the window, frozen.
She was looking at Cody’s picture. From the fresh lilac-blue paint with bright white trim and detailed work to the shining stained-glass windows at the top of the gable. The porches, which had drooped sadly, were straight and level. Even the yard had been overhauled, blooming with yellow lantana, tulips and irises waving happily in the spring breeze.
She stepped out of the car, shock and joy leaving her speechless.
In the backyard, in the perfect tree-house tree, was Cody’s tree house. It had the winding staircase with a rope bannister and an elevator for Tom—just like his picture. She pressed a hand to her mouth, torn between laughing and sobbing. She couldn’t stop the tears that rolled down her cheek, or the joy that washed over her.
Several thumps from her belly and she looked down, running her hands over her belly. “You two are so lucky. You have the best daddy in the world.”
