Bea woke up to her back being spooned against Devin’s front. As he stretched his strong arm around her, he curved his hand over the swell of her baby bump, enveloping her in a hug.
He brushed a kiss along her temple. “Good morning.”
A contented sigh escaped from her. “Good morning.” As she pushed back against him, instead of his bare legs and chest, she encountered clothing. “Why are you dressed?”
“I’m going downstairs to make breakfast with Carly. Do you need anything?”
Bea turned in his arms. As he rolled to his back, she rested her head on his chest. He wore a T-shirt and sweatpants. The softness of the fabric, his warmth, and the light, appealing fragrance of the aftershave lotion he used prompted her to snuggle against him. “Just you.”
“Too easy, sweetheart. You’ve already got me.”
His soft kiss to her forehead and the slight tightening of his arms around her suddenly made her want to cry with happiness and pee at the same time. Bea managed to hold back the water works on both ends, wanting another minute or two in his arms.
She’d never felt so cherished and cared for in her life as she had these past few months with Devin. He’d kept his word about cutting back on his schedule, especially on weekends. She looked forward to spending these early morning hours together.
“Do you want anything special for breakfast?” he asked. “We still have fresh peaches left over from yesterday. I can make pancakes with peaches and cinnamon again.”
As much as Bea loved snuggling with him, hunger for food suddenly moved to the top of her list of needs. Her mouth watered. Pancakes sounded great but... “Is a breakfast pizza too much to ask for?”
He chuckled. “Not at all. Carly guessed that was probably what you’d want. She already made the dough. Eggs, cheese, and turkey bacon okay?
“Perfect.”
Devin gave her a quick kiss, then went to the kitchen.
After taking care of the essentials in the bathroom, Bea headed downstairs.
Devin and Carly were talking.
“What about Baxter or a cool name like Hipparanamus?” he said with humor in his tone. “We could call him Bax or Harry for short.”
Carly laughed. “Seriously, Dad? Those aren’t close to cool names for my baby brother. What about Nick or Jaeden? Or Francis?”
The mixed terrier, who was now a permanent part of the family, barked as if he understood.
Baby brother... It was so good to hear Carly make that claim. Day by day they were growing closer, especially since she’d been spending the summer with them and was working at the Cowgirl Café.
Over the past few months, the restaurant had become popular not only in Chatelaine but also the surrounding area. So many good things were happening in their lives. Sometimes it felt like a dream, but it wasn’t. This was her life now and Bea was grateful for all of it.
As she walked into the kitchen, Devin and Carly both looked up from where they were adding toppings to pizza dough in a pan on the counter.
Grinning, he pointed to the small, black dry-erase board on the front of the refrigerator. “You’re just in time to give an opinion on the latest baby names to add to the list.”
“I heard.”
“So are you on board with Hipparanamus?” He wiggled his brows playfully.”
“Yeah...no. I think I’m with Carly and Francis on this round. And I have another one to add.”
As Bea made her way to the refrigerator, Francis followed. His tail thumped on the ground as he sat beside her.
“Hey, cutie.” She gave him a head rub before sliding the marker from the holder on the door and adding Nick and Jaeden to the list plus one more.
Carly went to Bea. The teen smiled as she saw what Bea had written. “I actually kind of like it.”
“I...” A small fluttering like butterfly wings spread just below Bea’s belly button, and she released a surprised gasp.
“Are you okay?” Carly asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s the baby.” Laughing, she took Carly’s hand and placed it where she’d felt the baby kick. “I think he likes the name, too.”
“I feel him.” Awe and excitement filled Carly’s expression. “Dad, come here—you have to feel this.”
“On my way.” Devin quickly put the pizza into the oven.
Carly glanced down at the dog who was fidgeting around them. “It’s time for his potty break. Come on, Francis.” She ushered the dog out the kitchen.
Devin reached Bea. He did a double take at what she’d written on the board. Smiling, he embraced her from behind. “Are you sure?”
The baby kicked again.
As Bea looked over her shoulder and met his gaze, her heart swelled with happiness and the same love she saw in his eyes. “I think it’s decided. In a few more months, Devin Street Jr. will make his appearance.”
Devin smiled. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
She turned in his arms to face him. “Neither can I.” Bea met Devin for a kiss, excited for the future ahead of them...as a family.
West Fortune is back from the dead!
Don’t miss
Fortune’s Lonestar Twins
By Teri Wilson
Available May 2024 wherever
Harlequin books and ebooks are sold!
And until then, catch up with the whole Chatelaine Fortunes clan:
Fortune’s Baby Claim
By Michelle Major
Fortune in Name Only
By Tara Taylor Quinn
Available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Maverick’s Marriage Deal by Kaylie Newell.