The nursery was quiet, all the lights out except for the glowing turtle on the nightstand. Stevie and Cole stood side by side next to the crib, holding hands as they gazed down at the angelic six-week-old baby sleeping soundly on his back. The fuzzy little tiger Cole had purchased on their honeymoon in Branson sat on a nearby shelf next to the floppy-eared Easter bunny, both faithfully on guard against bumps in the night. Cole had given Liam the new Stripy the day he’d come home.
“I’m glad the baptism this afternoon went so well,” Stevie murmured. “And that everyone we love managed to be there with us.”
The church had been filled with friends and family. Stevie’s mother had spent the past week in their guestroom getting to know her grandson. Tom had made the drive to join them today, and had then taken their mom to spend a few days in Tennessee with him before she flew back to Hawaii. Cole’s mother and stepfather had traveled from Florida and were staying in a nearby hotel for a few days. Even Cole’s favorite uncle Bob had made a rare trip to Arkansas from his Wyoming ranch, where he’d lived for the past twenty years.
But it was the couple who’d arrived at the last minute before the service started that had most startled Cole.
“I have to admit,” he said now, “I nearly fell over in surprise when Dad and Peggy walked into that church. I didn’t know you’d even sent them an invitation.”
She smiled faintly. “I didn’t want you to be hurt again if it didn’t work out, but Peggy and I conspired to make it happen. She’s as fed up with the rift between you and your dad as I am. She told me your father regretted it, too, but he’s just been too bullheaded to admit it. Now he can use getting to know Liam as an excuse to spend time getting to know his son again.”
“He and Mom were almost civil to each other.” Cole shook his head in amazement. “That’s near miraculous in itself.”
“I think Peggy warned your father that I would be very displeased with him if he wasn’t on his best behavior,” Stevie said with a little giggle.
Cole’s grin flashed white in the shadowy room. “I’d say you definitely got your bluff in on him. Dad looked like he was taking no chances of triggering your temper again.”
“I think underneath that gruff, prickly exterior, he might be softening a bit with age. I saw him tickling Liam’s cheek and looking very pleased to get a smile in reward.”
Not that anyone could resist this beautiful baby’s sweet smiles, she thought without even trying to be objective.
Growing serious for a moment, Cole rested a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t get too carried away, Stevie. Though I’ll do my best to keep the goodwill going, I doubt the relationship between my dad and me will ever be warm and fuzzy.”
She nodded. “Just as long as there is a relationship. Family is important. I want Liam to grow up surrounded by people who love him.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, murmuring, “There is definitely love in the home we’ve made for him here. He’ll never have to doubt that.”
“Yes, there is.” She tugged his head down for a long, slow kiss to demonstrate just how much she loved and appreciated him.
Cole took a step backward and held out a hand to her. “Now that we’ve gotten the all clear from your doctor, I’m looking forward to showing you exactly how much I love you.”
Confident that her romantic heart was finally safe in the place where it belonged, Stevie followed him with eager anticipation.
* * * * *
Don’t miss out on the previous books in Gina Wilkins’ PROPOSALS & PROMISES miniseries for Harlequin Special Edition! A REUNION AND A RING and THE BOSS’S MARRIAGE PLAN.
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Keep reading for an excerpt from FORTUNE’S PRINCE CHARMING by Nancy Robards Thompson.
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