The urge to love had grown, nurtured to a roaring blaze by Wren’s quiet attention. Keegan stood on the front lawn, his gaze scanning the area.
It was Christmas Eve again, but this time the weather was a far cry from a year ago. Just as he was far different from that brooding, vengeful man he’d been. The sun shone brightly, and the temperature was a balmy sixty-two degrees.
The yard was decorated with a life-size plastic Santa and nine reindeer pulling a sleigh. Elves peeped from behind trees and around the corners. Over a thousand light strands ran along the house and the fence railing, blinking in colorful harmony.
Keegan looked at their handiwork and grinned. The guests would be arriving soon, and he couldn’t wait to see the expression on their faces when they got a load of the Christmas scene.
A warm, fuzzy sensation enveloped him as he turned to head up the sidewalk. He hadn’t, for one instant, regretted the decision he’d made a year ago when he’d moved into the loft over the barn.
The bucolic environment had a soothing effect on him, reminding him of his past and putting him in touch with his roots. He’d discovered he loved working the dairy more than he’d ever enjoyed police work, and under his care the farm had thrived. Already the herd had grown from seventeen to twenty-five head, and they hoped to add more in the next few months.
He and Wren had courted slowly, dating like any other couple, going to the movies, taking long walks through the woods, sitting quietly by the fire after supper. He picked Wren wild flowers in the spring and had taken her on picnics.
In the summer they sat outside and gazed at the stars. They often stayed up late, talking far into the night.
Every day he awoke with the knowledge that the past was behind him and that he was loved. Each day with Wren grew better and better as he began to appreciate the simple things in life. The sound of her laughter, the touch of her fingers on his arms, the shining expression in her eyes when she looked at him.
The physical attraction between them built stronger and harder until one day in late September, when Keegan didn’t think he could last a single second longer without making love to Wren, he asked her to marry him.
They’d exchanged their vows right here in the farmhouse with Reverend Duvall performing the ceremony and her friends Gary and Savannah Markum as witnesses.
Because of the dairy, they couldn’t stay away long, so the honeymoon had been a weekend trip to San Antonio. It had been the sexiest, most romantic weekend of his life. Even now, simply thinking about Wren’s receptiveness caused a high flush to rise to his cheeks.
He wiped his boots on the welcome mat and then stepped inside the back door. His heart swelled, brimming with joyous emotion as the smells of Christmas teased his nose. Peppermint, cinnamon, pumpkin. Roast turkey, home-baked bread, and apple cider.
A large pot of poinsettias rested on the kitchen table. If he craned his neck, Keegan could see the Christmas tree and the abundance of presents beneath. This year, he’d bought Wren a dozen gifts. Sprigs of mistletoe hung from every doorway and even though it wasn’t cold outside, there was a small fire in the fireplace.
“Honey?” he called. “Where are you?”
Wren stepped from the bedroom, closing the door behind her. She moved down the hall.
Keegan’s heart caught in his throat at the sight of her. She was so beautiful. Wren wore a red velvet dress with black patent leather pumps and the string of pearls he’d gotten her for her thirtieth birthday.
She smiled at him, but he saw there were tears shining in her brown eyes.
“Wren? What’s wrong?”
“I just got off the phone,” she said. “With Dr. Winston.”
His stomach lurched. Not bad news!
“Are you sick?” Keegan asked, rushing to her side and taking her elbow. He couldn’t bear it if something were to happen to her.
“No,” she said, “not sick.”
Keegan stared. “Then why would Dr. Winston call you on Christmas Eve...” He trailed off as realization dawned. “You’re pregnant?”
Wren nodded, her smile widening. “Is that okay? Are you happy? I mean, we never talked about it.”
Elation thrilled him. They were going to have a baby. Sweeping her into his arms, Keegan twirled her off her feet. “I’m ecstatic.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Wren said, after he’d dropped a round of kisses on her eyes, her lips, her cheek, and chin.
“Yes.”
“If it’s a girl, I’d like to call her Katherine Margaret if that’s okay with you.”
Wren wanted to name their baby after the family he’d lost? Love for his new bride spread through his whole system, hot, swift, and passionate. She was so kind, so giving. He thanked God for her daily.
“That’d be wonderful,” he said gruffly.
“And of course, if it’s a boy he’ll be Keegan Junior.”
“Have I ever told you I love you?” Keegan cupped her chin in his palm.
“Maybe a time or two.” Her eyes twinkled merrily.
“Mrs. Winslow,” he growled low in his throat, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you into the bedroom and make love to you.”
“But the guests are due in an hour, and I haven’t mashed the potatoes yet!”
“So let them eat lumps.” He nibbled on her ear.
Wren sighed her pleasure, relieved and happy that Keegan had taken the news of the baby so well. For the longest time, she’d been afraid he wouldn’t want children after what had happened to his daughter.
So afraid, in fact, that she’d never broached the subject. And even though he’d grown and changed a lot over the last twelve months, she’d still worried that something dark and sad inhibited his heart.
It cheered her to know he was ready to try parenthood again. The dream she’d held on to for so many years had finally come true.
“I love you,” she declared, wrapping her arms around him.
“And I love you,” he said.
“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”
“Merry Christmas, Mama.”
Wren snuggled into the curve of Keegan’s arm and knew right then and there that the wounds she once thought ran so deep in both of them had been completely healed by love.
Dear Reader, I hope you have enjoyed, Keegan.
If you have the time, I would so appreciate a review. Just a couple of words will do. A review is different from leaving a rating for Amazon. Authors don’t see those ratings and we don’t get your feedback, but we do see your reviews. Thank you so much for leaving a review. You are appreciated!
If you would like to read more Texas Rascals, the latest book in the series is Kurt.
Available here:
For an excerpt of Kurt, the latest book in the series, please turn the page.
Much love, Lori Wilde
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