One year later
“Trent, pick up your toys,” Kade said as his son reached the landing. “You wouldn’t want someone to trip over them and fall down the stairs, now would you?”
“Okay, Dad.” Trent scooped up the action figures, tossed them onto the floor of his room, and dashed back. “Mom’s feeding the baby on the balcony. When she’s done, can we go over to Grandma and Grandpa’s? Roxie had her puppies and Grandpa said I could have one if it was okay with you.”
Kade grabbed his son and tickled him until he squirmed on the floor in fits of laughter. “He did, huh?”
Trent squealed. “Yes. And I want to name one Rex. Can I, Dad? Can I?”
Kade tousled the boy’s hair. “Okay, kiddo.”
“All right.” Trent scrambled to his feet and ran to the master bedroom. “Mom! Dad said I could have one of Roxie’s puppies.” Kade followed his son through the bedroom to the balcony. The sun was settling over the Mule Mountains, the sunset blazing across the sky in pink and orange streaks. Kelsey was reclining in her favorite chair, a soft smile on her face as she held their daughter over her shoulder, patting the baby’s back.
“Mom, what do you think of the name Rex for the new puppy?” Trent asked as he gently stroked his baby sister’s arm.
“Sounds wonderful.” Kelsey hugged him, then looked up at Kade and smiled. “How was your day? No shower?”
Kade leaned over and kissed her. “Showered in the locker room.” His heart swelled as he looked at their daughter. “Let me hold Naya.”
“She’s all yours.” Kelsey handed the baby to Kade and he cradled his daughter in the crook of his arm and kissed the top of her head. Her features were so tiny and perfect. She was as beautiful as her mother.
“How’s Daddy’s girl?” He let Naya grab his finger with her tiny hand. She kicked and smiled, and made strange gurgling noises that filled his heart with intense joy. Her eyes were dark, and he fancied they would be the same chocolate brown as Kelsey’s.
Trent ran his hand over the baby’s soft blond hair. “Naya’s cute for a baby, but she’s not much fun. When’ll she be old enough to play with?”
“Oh, give her a few months.” Kelsey pulled Trent into her lap and hugged him. “And then she’ll probably be into all your toys.”
“Some things I might let her play with, but not my important stuff.” Trent wriggled out of Kelsey’s lap. “Can I call Grandma and Grandpa and tell them we’re going over there in a little while to pick out a puppy?”
“Sure,” Kelsey said with a smile.
“Did you finish those book reviews?” Kade asked Kelsey after Trent dashed out of the room.
She yawned and stretched. “I managed to e-mail the last one to Theresa while Naya napped.”
Kade walked through the French doors into their bedroom and laid Naya in her bassinet. Kelsey followed and slid her arm around his waist as they looked down at their daughter.
“Do you remember when we made wishes at the lake on Trent’s birthday last year?” Kelsey asked as she leaned against Kade.
“Mmmm,” he murmured, and kissed the top of her head. “My wish came true.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “I wanted a baby. A child, like Trent. But before I made that wish, I wanted to wish for you. I just didn’t think I could have you.”
He grinned. “Darlin’, you had me wrapped around your little finger from the day we met.”
She turned and eased her arms around his neck. “What did you wish for?”
“You.” Kade brushed his lips over Kelsey’s. “What do you say we take a nice long bath in that huge tub of ours, and start practicing making another brother or sister for Naya and Trent?”
Kelsey sighed and melted against him. “I’m all yours, cowboy.”