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She did and his knees buckled. “But,” she added, laughing at his antics, “because of how it’s constructed, it will help heat the house this winter.”
Colt thought that a great side benefit, but he was still trying to recover from the number she’d quoted. She’d paid for it with her own funds and he was glad it made her so happy, but to a poor as a church mouse country doctor, ninety dollars was an extremely large sum of money.
She set the bowl on the counter and dipped the tip of a smaller spoon inside to taste the icing. “Problem?”
“That’s a lot of money, Regan.”
“I know, but to be able to bake a cake for a child who’s never had one, I would have paid twice that price.”
He had no comeback. He remembered Spring saying he was in love with his mail-order bride, and he realized she was right. How could he not be with a woman who’d repeatedly proven herself so kind and caring? “I may not be a churchgoer but I know how blessed Anna and I are to have you with us. Thank you, Regan.”
“That’s very sweet of you to say.”
“I meant it.” He hadn’t kissed her or held her close in what felt like ages and the urge to remedy that was strong. Basking in the beauty of her small face, he ran a slow finger down her cheek and her eyes closed in response. Encouraged, he gently brushed his mouth over hers and whispered, “I’ve missed kissing you.”
“I’ve missed it, too.”
No further words were needed. Easing her close, he wrapped his arms around her, reveling in her softness against him, her lips parting beneath his, and the sigh of pleasure she gave. Their tongues mingled. The taste of the icing she’d sampled elevated her sweetness, and he was in heaven once again.
The sound of applause made them part and turn to see a smiling Anna.
He chuckled. “How’d you get here?” School didn’t let out for at least another hour.
“Livy’s granpa drove me. Mr. Adams got sick so we had to go home. I like that you’re kissing.”
He took in Regan’s amused face.
Anna added, “It means you’re happy again. Livy says when her mama and papa are happy she hears them jumping on the bed at night. Are you going to jump on the bed?”
Regan placed her forehead on his chest and her shoulders shook with silent laughter. Colt was so caught off guard, he was speechless. Regan backed out of his arms, wiped at her tears of mirth, and said, “Look what came today, Anna.”
Her eyes widened with awe. “The new stove! Do I get my cake?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
She ran to Regan, threw her arms around her waist, and jumped with joy. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.”
While he looked on, his two ladies retrieved the cake layers Regan had set out on the porch earlier to cool. As they worked together to spread on the icing, he noted Regan’s patience and Anna’s serious face. With her new mama’s guidance, she was going to grow into a force of nature and he looked forward to seeing her blossom.
Colt overcame his weariness enough to enjoy the first dinner cooked on the new stove and watch Anna delight in her cake. He also watched his wife and imagined jumping on the bed with her. It felt like ages since they’d done that, too.
“Miss Regan?” Anna said.
“Yes?”
“My cake is really good. Thank you for making it.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“Livy said I should call you Mama, instead of Miss Regan.”
Colt fielded Regan’s gaze and he gave her a shrug.
Regan said, “What do you want to call me?”
“I want to call you Mama.”
