AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. A very good reason.” He didn’t say more as he opened his own door and got out, but he didn’t need to. Over the past year, she’d discovered her man was quite the romantic, as well as a traditionalist.
She guessed right when he came around to get her door, then swept her up into his arms before she could step off the running board. Laughing, Raine draped one arm around his
neck and pressed her other palm to his chest as he carried her up the large stone steps of the front porch.
“Welcome to our new home, Mrs. Torrez.”
“Thank you, Mr. Torrez. And a happy birthday to you.”
“Best birthday ever,” he declared. He dipped his head to give her a lingering kiss before opening the door to carry her over the threshold. Then he lowered her feet to the floor and threw his arm over her shoulders as they stood in the doorway to gaze out at their eighty-six acre ranch, half an hour west of her uncle’s place in Lakewood, Colorado, and fifteen minutes from his parents.
They’d signed the final closing papers barely an hour ago, and after calling the moving company, it wouldn’t be long before the trucks and crews arrived with all their things. Estefan was delivering Diamond Fire and Raz-Ma-Taz the next day, giving them time to ready their stalls in the small barn set off to the left of the house. And then it wouldn’t be long before rescue horses filled the other stalls.
“I still can’t believe we found this place,” Raine murmured, her arms wrapped around his waist.
Reyes pressed his lips to the top of her head. “It’s going to be perfect once we get the new barn and indoor arena built.”
He said we because he’d already insisted on heading up the building crew. Something about wanting to be able to say he had a hand in building their home. Or part of it, at least. Because, you know, traditionalist. And the more she thought about it, the more she loved the idea, too.
The sprawling ranch house had been built with the front facing southeast, which meant their backyard provided a magnificent view of the Rockies. It was morning now, and they had a ton of work to do, but she couldn’t wait to enjoy the first of many sunsets with Fire and Taz out in the pastures that bordered the lawn.
“I want to help with the building,” she announced.
“I’d never say no to that, but you won’t have much time between training and events, and then add the rescue on top of that, too.”
“Well…” Her pulse kicked up a notch as she drew back slightly. “I was thinking of taking a year off from the circuit.”
He looked down, confusion all over his face. “I thought you were going for the Grand Prix championship? You and Fire are at the top of your game right now.”
“We are, but I guess I should rephrase. I have to take a year off.”
Confusion morphed into a frown of concern. “Why? What’s going on?”
“Everything is fine,” she reassured him while reaching for his hand. At least, she hoped he’d think it was fine. Pressing his palm to her flat stomach, she took a deep breath and said, “I’m pregnant.”
Reyes’ eyes went wide with shock as his gaze dropped. “What? Seriously?”
She nodded with a hesitant smile. “Seriously.”
“But…we’re still using protection.”
Her stomach tightened. “Except for that one time after the gold medal ceremony. Remember?”
His gaze narrowed, and then he smirked. “Twice actually.”
Right. Once in the shower, and the bed afterwards. Their little private celebration had made them late for dinner.
Realizing he still hadn’t said anything specifically about her announcement, Raine said, “So, you’re going to be a daddy in April. I’m due on the twenty-sixth.”
As if the news had finally sunk in, Reyes blinked, and then a smile began to spread across his face.
Relief eased her nerves enough to bring back her smile. “You’re good with this?”
“Hell yes, I’m good with it.” He cupped his palm against her cheek, the love in his eyes deepening the green to her absolute favorite color. “How could you think I’d be anything but good with this?”
She grimaced with apology. “It’s a little sooner than we’d planned.”
“I’d say it’s exactly as it’s meant to be,” he declared. “Making a baby on the day you won your gold medal couldn’t be any more perfect. And finding out today—it’s the best birthday present I could ever ask for.” He looked down and palmed her stomach once more. “When did you find out?”
