The ranch was brimming with activity, as every member of the Cordero family was in attendance. Gavin and Haley had made the drive to Wyoming yesterday and had brought Anna’s aunt with them. So, all in all, there were twenty-four adults present for this very special occasion.
Scarlett Valentina Cordero’s first birthday.
About nine months ago—a full three months after Logan had got down on his knees and tenderly let Anna into his heart—he asked if she would mind legally changing their surname. Of course she hadn’t minded. It was the right decision, for all of them.
For one, Anna’s husband was a Cordero cowboy through and through, and for another, Zeke’s role in Logan’s life had always been that of a father, despite their actual relation. The change had made sense on logical and emotional levels. And she adored being a Cordero.
Anna smiled and waved at Maisie—the brunette with the braids, by the way—who was sitting on the floor, playing with Scarlett. Her daughter had grown so much in twelve months. It was incredible to believe that this walking, gibbering, demanding almost-a-toddler had once been a baby who loved to sit on Anna’s lap and rock and rock and rock.
Now she did not like to sit for long. On anyone or anything. She wanted to go, go, go, and touch, touch, touch, and taste, taste, taste, and heaven help the person who stood in her way.
Well, except for Zeke. Scarlett had already developed the sweetest, strongest bond with her great-grandfather, and she had solidly wrapped that cantankerous old man right around her teeny-tiny pinkie finger. Most of the time, since Zeke was almost-officially retired, you could find the two of them together. Outside—though he never took her far—and inside, playing with her blocks, looking at books, napping together in Zeke’s big recliner.
Every now and then, he’d get the humidor that was now a jewelry box from her room, and she’d sit on his lap and he’d read the inscription—“For Scarlett, to keep all your doodads in. Love, your great-granddad”—and he’d tell her stories about his father. Oh, she wasn’t old enough to pay attention to the stories, but she seemed mesmerized by the rough timbre of Zeke’s voice.
It was so lovely to see, to be a part of.
Their little family of three had permanently moved to Bur Oak when Scarlett was four months old. Logan had put the decision in Anna’s hands, saying that wherever she wanted to live was fine by him. He’d meant it, too. This man loved her so completely, so wholly, that he had every intention of following through, whatever her choice.
Again, though, moving to the ranch was the right decision. Logan and his cousins had re-created Scarlett’s beautiful nursery here in their new home, so she had her room of whimsy to dream in. And for now, Anna’s days were mostly filled with caring for and chasing Scarlett, but she was considering—with Logan’s prodding—going into business for herself. Not now, not for a while. But when she was ready, owning her own bakery might be nice.
Once or twice a month, depending on the season and how busy things were at the ranch, they visited Steamboat Springs to spend time with Lola and Gavin and Haley. These visits were always enjoyable, but by the end, Anna was ready to return home.
Yes, she was incredibly, unbelievably happy.
Now, on her baby’s first birthday, she searched the great room, trying to find her husband. It was almost time for Scarlett’s birthday cake, which—naturally—Anna had baked and decorated, and before the official party got under way, she wanted to let him in on a little secret.
Well, a big secret. One that would take another eight months or so to grow.
There he was, leaning against the wall near Zeke’s office, and his eyes were on her, his gaze steady and sure. Anna made her way toward him, trying to decide which words to use to share that he was going to be a daddy again. And she couldn’t help but compare today with that cool October morning when she’d finally found the courage to knock on his door.
So much had changed since then. In huge, gulping bursts.
Her husband talked to her now, about almost everything, and she talked back. He never hid from her, and he always noticed if she needed an ear or a hug or...well, whatever she needed. Oh, he still had the tendency to hunker down somewhere when something was bothering him, but now if she asked what was wrong, he didn’t get grouchy. He simply let her in.
“Hey there, beautiful,” her cowboy said as she reached his side. Creases wrinkled around his eyes as he thoroughly gave her the once-over. “You look pensive. You’re not reconsidering that divorce, are you? Seeing how this was supposed to be the last day of our marriage agreement?”
Laughing, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Not a chance of that happening. Today, tomorrow, fifty years from now. You’re stuck with me, cowboy.”
“Hmm,” he said. “What if I’m reconsidering?”
His tone told her he was teasing, so she laughed again. “I’d say you’re out of luck.”
“Nah. I’d say I’m the luckiest guy standing in this room.” He angled his head so he could see around a throng of his cousins. “How’s our baby girl doing on her very first birthday?”
“She’s good. Playing with Maisie.” Then, having decided how to spring the news, she said, “So, just now, I was thinking about how things didn’t quite go as planned last year. How scary it was for you, with your granddad, and how hard it was when you had to leave the hospital so soon after Scarlett’s birth.”
Logan kissed the top of her head. “I know. But we made it through, all of us.”
“We did.” She put a few inches of space between them, to see his face better. “A do-over would be great, though, wouldn’t it? I mean, we can’t re-create those days we lost, after Scarlett was born. But we can have a do-over on the experience itself, right?” She shrugged. “With Scarlett’s brother or sister.”
Logan blinked once. Twice. “Wait a minute. Are you...?”
“Yes, Logan,” she said. “I am. We are.”
A whopper of a grin appeared. “When?”
“Sometime in mid-November,” she said. “And no, we’re not using the name Flash even if we’re having a boy, so don’t even think about the possibility.”
“Now, hold on there,” he said, still grinning. “Think about this for a minute, darlin’. You have to admit that Flash Cordero is way cooler-sounding than Flash Daugherty. For that reason alone, Flash must stay on the table. I insist.”
“Nope.” She shook her head. Vehemently. “And we’re figuring out names months ahead of schedule, Logan. Months. Well before they give me the tipsy drug.”
“Whatever you want,” he said. “Anything you want.”
“You’re happy, right?”
“So happy, Anna. So. Damn. Happy.”
Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Deeply. Passionately. Every other thing in the world, for those few minutes, ceased to exist. Anna knew this man. She knew his heart and his soul. He was her man. Now and forever. Because they were meant to be one.
Well. One plus their daughter and their next child and their next. Anna envisioned herself as mother to a large family. Very large.
“Come on, cowboy.” She pressed her palms on his chest, kissed the line of his jaw. “It’s time for cake and candles, celebrating and presents. Let’s go get our baby.”
“Yeah. Let’s.” Hand in hand, they walked toward their princess, their Scarlett. The daughter they would surround with love, until their very last breaths. “Hey, Anna?” Logan asked, his tone low and gravelly. “I have another question. An important one.”
Concerned, she stopped and faced him. “What question would that be?”
“Do we have any leftover frosting? Because I was thinking that later tonight, after Scarlett’s all tuckered out and in her crib, we could make use of that frosting.”
“Why, Logan Cordero, I am shocked that you even have to ask.” She looped her arm through his and grinned. “What kind of woman do you take me for? Of course I made extra.”
“You really are great at that proactive thinking,” Logan said, leading them once again toward their daughter. “Remembering how much of a sweet tooth I have and all.”
“Let’s not forget my sweet tooth,” she said. “That road goes both ways.”
They reached the spot on the floor where their daughter played with Maisie, apparently having a great time knocking down blocks as fast as they were stacked on top of one another. Scarlett looked up, saw her parents and, while smiling and babbling, toddled over to them.
Logan swept their princess up and onto his hip and tickled her until she giggled. Then he turned toward Anna and pulled her to them, into the safe, strong circle of his arms.
Into the abiding love of her family.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from EVERGREEN SPRINGS by RaeAnne Thayne.