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Saturday morning just before noon, Lindsay finally joined Lilly at their booth on the town square. Blake was with her and Lilly’s gaze immediately went to their clasped hands.
“You two look happy.” She smiled.
Lindsay held up her left hand. It took Lilly a beat to notice the ring, but the next moment, her shriek could be heard all over town.
“Ooooh! I knew it! Congratulations, you two—I just don’t know why it took you so long.”
“I’ve just heard!” someone called.
She and Blake looked at each other. “Eleanor,” they said in unison, and Blake laughed. They’d been wondering how long it was going to take before Eleanor knew about their engagement.
“Lindsay, Blake!” Eleanor laughed as she arrived, out of breath. She embraced both of them. “I’ve just finished speaking to Charlie and she told me the whole story.” She looked over her shoulder to where Brooke was standing at her own booth. “Brooke! Come here—such great news!”
Smiling, Brooke joined them with Connor right behind her. “What’s all the excitement about?”
“They’re engaged!” Eleanor exclaimed. “Charlie has just told me how Blake got up in front of all the people in the plane, went down on his knee, and proposed to our Lindsay here. And look at the beautiful ring. Did you ask Lindsay what she liked?” she asked Blake.
“There wasn’t time.” Blake grinned. “I messed up with round one, so when I knew I had another chance, I also knew I had to go all out.”
“Well, you did good.” Eleanor sighed.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Lindsay smiled.
Brooke touched it with a finger. “Oh, Lindsay, I’m so, so happy for you.”
“Don’t you think it’s time you get yourself another one of those?” Eleanor asked her daughter.
Brooke groaned. “Seriously, Mother. Focus on these two, please?”
“Is that why Blake keeps kissing Lindsay?” Connor asked, and everyone laughed.
Blake kneeled in front of the boy. “It is. One day you’ll find someone you want to kiss all the time, as well.”
“Yuck, not me,” Connor declared quickly. “Mom, can I go and play?”
“May I.” Brooked chuckled. “Of course.” She turned to Blake and Lindsay as Connor skipped away. “So what are your plans?”
Lindsay looked up at Blake. They’d arrived back quite late last night and by that time, Blake looked very pale. He wouldn’t hear of sleeping without her and only agreed to get into bed if she would join him. And then she’d made a new discovery about her fiancé—no bullet was going to keep him from making love to her again. So they hadn’t really talked about any future plans yet.
“We’re still enjoying just being engaged. There’s plenty of time for plans.” Blake smiled before he bent down and kissed her. “I’m going to get my stuff at home. I’ll see you later.”
A little taken aback, Lindsay stared after him. Could it be he was having second thoughts?
“Oh, Lindsay, you’re here, I’m so glad!” Lindsay turned around to see Suzie Stevens making her way through the throng of people towards Lindsay’s booth, her hand clutching the arm of the woman who was next to her.
“This is my sister, Mabel,” Suzie said, out of breath when she reached the booth. “Her husband is having the same problem,” she whispered loudly.
“Well then, you’ve come to the right place.” Lindsay smiled.
But Eleanor wasn’t quite finished yet. “You know, a Christmas wedding is very special.”
Brooke rolled her eyes and grabbed her mother’s arm. “Mother, what am I going to do with you? They will make their own plans. Come on, I need your help.” And with a wink in Lindsay’s direction, she took her mother away. “We’ll see you tonight!”
“Lindsay?” Suzie asked again and Lindsay smiled. She was being paranoid. Blake hadn’t said anything strange. He’d told her he loved her, he’d given her a ring; of course there wasn’t any rush to make plans just yet. Maybe he wanted to wait until after Christmas?
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Monday morning early when Blake woke up, Lindsay wasn’t next to him. Frowning, he got up. Now that he thought about it, he’d also woken up alone yesterday morning.
There were sounds coming from the bathroom. She was probably getting ready for work. Struggling with his one hand, he pulled on his jeans and headed down the stairs. Lindsay loved her coffee first thing in the morning, he’d discovered.
As he put on the coffee machine, he saw a cup of tea on the counter. Strange, he’d seldom seen her drink tea. But okay, so sometimes she preferred tea. While he waited for the coffee, he walked towards the window. He’d brought some of his stuff here, but there wasn’t that much space in Lindsay’s bedroom.
They had so much to talk about and to decide, but because he was keeping Christmas a surprise for her, he’d been evading her questions. It would definitely be the last time he kept anything from her; it was killing him not to blurt out everything that was going on. It was clear to him she was slightly miffed because he wouldn’t discuss any plans with her, but all would be revealed soon.
He heard the ping of the coffee machine behind him but as he turned, he saw the garage doors opened. And the next minute, Lindsay was driving down the driveway and turning into the street.
Nonplussed, he stared at the car driving away. She hadn’t said anything last night about leaving early. Besides, she had to know he was in the kitchen.
His phone. It was still in the bedroom. He raced up the stairs and picked up his phone from the bed. Yes, there was a message from Lindsay.
On my way to work. See you later! ☺
What the hell? They were engaged, they’d made love not so long ago, so why had she just left without telling him?
Something was wrong. His gut had been telling him precisely that for the last twenty-four hours, but he should’ve listened to it and not simply ignored it.
Over the weekend, Lindsay had been quiet and she’d slept most of yesterday. He’d put it down to all the stress of the past few months. And he hadn’t minded the rest; his arm had been giving him hell after Friday’s flight, and of course making love to his fiancée in the small bathroom hadn’t been conducive to keeping his arm still. But it had been so worth it.
But he should’ve asked her if something was wrong last night. He should’ve made sure she was okay.
Within minutes, he was in his car, driving towards Lindsay’s shop.
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Stunned, Lindsay walked out of the doctor’s office. Charlie, who was waiting for her outside, rushed closer when she saw her. “Linds? What’s wrong? What did the doctor say?”
“Nothing is wrong...” she began, but before she could say anything else, the door burst open and in strode Blake—a furious one, if she wasn’t mistaken.
He yanked her close to him and buried his face in her neck for a moment. Inhaling deeply, he cupped her face. “Lindsay, damn it, why are you at the doctor’s? And why the hell didn’t you tell me where you were going? Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling ill? We’re engaged, damn it. I love you! But—”
Taking a deep breath, she interrupted him. “I just have to check something with you first before I tell you.” She had no idea how he was going to react to the news. When he’d asked her to marry him, he hadn’t said anything about kids, and since they’d gotten engaged, he wouldn’t talk about any plans for the future. Well, the sooner she knew, the better.
“What?” he barked out.
“Do you still want to marry me?”
“Of course, I want to marry you—I gave you a damn ring.”
“But you don’t want to talk about plans.”
His mouth opened and closed before he rubbed his face. “Because damn it, I wanted it to be a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” She laughed, feeling a little hysterical. “Well, it’s good to know you like surprises, because do I have a surprise for you.”
“What surprise?”
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out, and waited.
“I told you that’s why you were so tired!” Charlie laughed and hugged her, but Lindsay kept her eyes on Blake.
One emotion after the other passed over his face until she saw the one she’d been hoping for, waiting for—joy.
Reverently, he touched her belly, his eyes shimmering with tears. Tears. Her Blake in tears. “You’re pregnant? With our baby?”
“Yes. I’m pregnant with our baby.”
“Damn woman, I love you,” he said, and lifting her up with his good arm, proceeded to kiss her soundly.
“What the hell are you doing with my sister?” a voice thundered close by.
Lindsay turned around and blinked. Gavin? What was he doing here? He was supposed to be arriving next week.
But Charlie had thrown her arms around their brother and was hugging him and crying at the same time. “I’m so happy, I can’t believe this. Linds is pregnant and now you’re here.”
Her words only deepened the frown on Gavin’s face. “Lindsay is what?” Gavin asked, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Blake.
“Pregnant. And I’m so happy you’re here!” Lindsay called out as she embraced her brother.
Gavin looked down at her. “I’m gone for a few weeks and now my other sister is also pregnant? What’s in the water of this place?” He put his hands on her shoulders. “You sure you’re happy?”
“Very.” She smiled.
“Well, in that case,” said Gavin, “I suppose I have to congratulate the dad.” He walked over to Blake and held out his hand.
Both she and Charlie held their breaths. Gavin had been known for his death grip on any potential boyfriend of theirs in the past. But Blake didn’t blink, just shook hands and smiled.
“So, what are your plans with my sister?” Gavin asked.
“I’m going to marry her.”
“Good answer,” said Gavin and finally chuckled. “When?”
“It’s a surprise for Lindsay,” Blake said, moving closer to Lindsay. “And now I’m taking my fiancée home.”
“I have to get to the shop...”
“Later,” he said.
The look in his eye robbed her of her breath and she could only nod. He wanted her. By now she knew that light in his eyes. She couldn’t wait, either. The need to be with him after the overwhelming news was...overwhelming.
And she also needed a minute to get used to the idea she was going to be a mother.
She quickly hugged Charlie and Gavin. “Have you been to the house?” she asked Gavin.
“No, I went to your shop and Charlie’s rooms directly from the airport. Imagine how I felt when Lilly told me both my sisters were at the doctor’s.”
“You could’ve let us know you were on your way.” Charlie laughed. “Why don’t you come with me to the ranch? I’ve brought Linds to the doctor, so my car is here and she clearly has another lift. There’s plenty of room and Logan would love to see you. That way you can give these two lovebirds some space. We actually have a proposition for you.”
Lindsay threw Charlie a grateful look as she and Blake left. She was so happy her brother was back, but there hadn’t been time to clean his room.
“A good thing your brother has another place to stay.” Blake chuckled as they walked towards his car. He had his arm around her and bent down. “You’re a very loud lover.”
Blushing, she put her hands against her face. “I’m not the only one.”
They were halfway to his car, but Blake stopped and kissed her, right there in the middle of the street for all to see. In an hour’s time the whole town would probably know that one, she and Blake was engaged; two, she was pregnant; and three, Gavin was back.
But she couldn’t be happier. And maybe now that he knew a baby was on the way, Blake might just want to talk about wedding plans.