Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Epilogue

TEN MONTHS LATER …

M agnolia hummed as she worked in the kitchen. She dipped her finger into the spaghetti sauce bubbling on the stove. She tasted it before adding in a few shakes of salt. Lucas stepped up behind her and encircled her waist. “Something looks good,” he murmured, his warm breath tickling her skin and sending tantalizing shivers traipsing down her spine.

“Don’t you mean smells good?” she giggled.

“Nope,” he drawled, “but supper does smell amazing.” He began trailing feather-light kisses down her neck. It drove her to distraction.

She grinned, loving his use of the word supper . He was a cowboy through and through. He loved every minute of working the ranch. The two of them had settled comfortably into their new life in Remember. Magnolia was still working at the magazine. Also, she’d supervised the complete remodel of their house. It had been a hectic, but glorious past few months.

Lucas turned her around to face him. His eyes took on a smolder, turning them to deep pools of blue. “You know, we could put supper on hold and focus on more important matters.” His voice grew husky as he leaned in and nipped her earlobe.

She laughed, pressing her palms to his chest. “Lillian’s joining us for dinner tonight. She’ll be here any minute.”

“Too bad,” he pouted, but his eyes held a playful glint. “I guess I’ll have to wait.”

“Good things come to those who wait,” she chimed, her cheeks warming. Even now, after all these months, she was still so enamored with Lucas that he made her go weak in the knees.

He released her waist as he went over to the salad and grabbed a carrot slice from off the top. He plopped it into his mouth before folding his arms over his chest. “I spoke to Mom today.”

“Oh? How’s she doing?” Over the past several months, Magnolia had grown super close to Layla and Dylan. Magnolia loved Lucas’s parents as if they were her own.

“Really well. She’s wondering if we’re going down to Franklin for Christmas.”

Magnolia reached for a wooden spoon, stirring the sauce. “That would be great.”

A large, enthusiastic smile filled his handsome face. “Fantastic! Christmas will be at my uncle’s ranch. I can’t wait to show you off to the whole Romeo clan. Everyone’s going to be there this year.”

She feigned a grimace. “It sounds daunting.” In reality, she was excited about meeting Lucas’s cousins, especially Cash, who was a superstar. Magnolia had been a longtime fan of his music.

The corners of Lucas’s lips pulled down in concern. “I know your dad and Grandfather are hoping we’ll spend Christmas with them.”

“Yeah, they are, but I’m sure they’ll understand, especially since we’re going to Grandfather’s for Thanksgiving.” Magnolia could tell that her grandfather was trying to make amends for the things he’d done. It had been hard for Magnolia to let go of her resentment, but she was working on it. With time and lots of prayer, she felt like she’d eventually be able to forgive him.

Lucas brightened. “That’s right. We did tell them we’d go there for Thanksgiving. Good. It’s settled.”

She wiped her hands on a nearby dishtowel as she turned her full focus to Lucas. There was something she needed to tell him. She’d planned on giving him the news after dinner tonight, but she could no longer wait. She kept her voice light even though her pulse was hammering against her temples. “You remember how we decided that we were going to hold off on fulfilling that one last requirement of the trust fund?”

His eyes widened in understanding. “Are you?” he blurted.

A grin curved her lips. “I am.” She pressed her hands over her stomach. “We’re having a baby.”

He let out a whoop as he picked her up and twirled her around. “That’s wonderful,” he laughed. He set her back down before pulling her close and stroking her cheek. “I hope we have a little princess just like her mom,” he said tenderly.

She chuckled. “Or a cowboy like her dad.”

“I love you,” he uttered.

“I love you back.” A feeling of gratitude swelled in her breast. Sometimes she felt like she was walking around in a dream. She and Lucas had so much to be thankful for.

He grinned from ear to ear. “Well, this is a big surprise.”

“You know what your mom always says. Often, life’s greatest blessings come as a complete surprise. ”

“Yes, they do,” he said, giving her a meaningful look, “and I thank God every day for it.”

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