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Pushing himself away from the sink, Drew crossed the room until he was within touching distance. He tucked his hands in the pockets of his sleep pants to keep from reaching out because if he touched her, he wouldn't want to stop. Since the day had obviously exhausted her, Drew didn't want to add to her fatigue.
"The foal was too early."
"I'm sorry."
Her wince didn't escape him. Four months ago, they were in a similar situation with a foaling mare and a colt that didn't survive. The same day her father had received his terminal diagnosis. The night they'd found comfort in each other's arms and conceived the child Hope now carried.
The child she wasn't sure she wanted to keep.
"Is the mare all right?" Hope's question broke into his thoughts.
Drew nodded. "If no infection sets in, she should be fine."
"Good."
There were smudges under her eyes. Not too dark, but noticeable enough to concern him. "You still look tired." Drew reached out and smoothed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. He couldn't help himself. The pull toward her was that strong. "We should have split getting the tree and decorating it into two separate days. Doing both today, especially with Alex and Zach, was too much."
"I'm fine. My OB and everything I've researched on the internet indicates it's perfectly normal to be more tired when pregnant. The baby takes everything it needs first, so I get whatever's left over." Hope smiled. "Other than a waning energy level, I feel perfectly fine."
Taking her hand, Drew stretched out on the sofa and tugged her down beside him. "I still should have taken the boys back before heading out with Pops. Then you could have rested sooner."
"It didn't really hit me till we sat down to watch the movie. Besides, I had fun with Alex and Zach today." She smiled again, and Drew could have sworn his heart skipped a beat. "I think they had a good time too."
"I'm sure they did." And if Pops hadn't needed his help, Drew would have gladly enjoyed it right along with them. In fact, as he shifted his eyes toward the ornament-laden tree, its colored lights twinkling brightly in the dimly lit room, Drew envied missing out. "It looks great," he murmured and pressed a kiss against her temple.
As if his lips scorched her skin, Hope gasped and jumped to her feet. "Oh, I almost forgot!"
Panic shot through him. "What?"
Hope crossed the room and bent to pick up something from the other side of the tree. "Just the most important part." She extended what looked like an angel toward him.
Wow. He certainly wasn't expecting that. Drew swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. "Dad always puts the angel on top of the tree at the main house." At least he had when he and his brothers were growing up. He assumed the tradition remained.
"The boys said Reese did the same for their tree. So, it seems only fitting that as the dad in residence of this basement apartment, you should have the same honors."
The impact of Hope's words slammed his heart against the walls of his chest. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? Or was it just wishful thinking on his part? Drew wanted to ask but in the event he'd completely misunderstood her meaning, he feared hearing her response.
Still, his need to know overruled caution. Drew rose from the sofa. "Does that mean..." He couldn't settle on the best words for the situation.
Nodding, Hope set the angel on the table and met his expectant gaze. "I don't want to give the baby up for adoption. I don't think I ever really did." She shook her head. "I was just scared, I guess. Still am, but..."
This time instead of interrupting her verbally, Drew cupped her upper arms and captured her mouth with his. In no way did Drew want to silence Hope, because he wanted to hear everything she had to say. But right now, he couldn't formulate adequate words to convey how happy he felt, so he sure as hell hoped in this case his actions spoke louder than words.
Hope's sigh of capitulation and the manner in which she returned his kiss told him he'd chosen correctly. Drew rested his forehead against hers when their lips finally parted, and he released the breath he'd been holding for the last four months.
"You should hate me."
Drew leaned back to look at her. "Why would I ever hate you, Hope?" He narrowed his gaze with uncertainty. "Because you wanted to do what was best for the baby by considering all the options available?"
"Was I?" she challenged him as well as herself. "Or was I only thinking about myself? What was best for me and my career?"
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You said it yourself, sweetheart. You were scared."
Her chin quivered as she stared into his chest. "I still am."
"And rightfully so."
"Are you?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
