Knocked up by the Mountain Man (Silver Ridge Mountain Men)

27. Clara

27

CLARA

I stand in the middle of the living room of our new apartment, half unpacked boxes stacked around me, feeling a sense of accomplishment and peace. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, but finally, I’m beginning to feel at home.

The sound of laughter draws my attention, and I turn to see Beau and Thomas on the couch, engrossed in a game. Beau’s patience and warmth with Thomas never ceases to amaze me. Watching them together fills my heart with a joy I never thought I’d experience again.

I walk over and sit beside them. Beau immediately wraps an arm around me, pulling me close. “How’s it going in here?” he asks, his eyes twinkling with love and contentment.

“Slow but steady,” I reply, leaning into him. “It’s starting to feel like home.”

Thomas looks up, a wide grin on his face. “Mom, you should see this game! It’s so cool!”

I smile, ruffling his hair. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it, sweetheart.”

Thomas returns his attention to the game, and Beau gently takes my hand, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. “I can’t believe how much has changed in just a few weeks,” he murmurs.

I nod, the memories of our impulsive, whirlwind journey swirling in my mind. “It feels like a dream. Moving in together, preparing for the baby, buying the Thompson ranch to start your new project… It’s all so surreal.”

Beau’s smile grows, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “The ranch is going to be amazing. It’s a lot of work, but I know we can do it together. The animals need us, and it’s a fresh start for all of us.”

I squeeze his hand, feeling a rush of warmth. “I’ve always dreamed of a place like this, where we can make a real difference. And Thomas will love it too. So much space for him to explore. So much learning he can do. He can even be a real life cowboy now!”

Thomas, overhearing our conversation, pauses his game and looks up again. “Will there be horses, Mom? I really want to learn how to ride horses.”

I nod, my heart swelling at his enthusiasm. “Yes, there will be horses, and cows, and maybe even some goats. It’ll be an adventure. Our own little adventure, isn’t that exciting.”

Beau chuckles, ruffling Thomas’s hair. “We’ll need a lot of help, buddy. Think you can handle it?”

Thomas’s eyes widen with determination. “Absolutely! I can help feed the animals and everything.”

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in months. The challenges ahead seem more manageable with Beau and Thomas by my side. “We’ll be a great team. And the best part is, we’re doing it together.”

Beau’s eyes soften as he looks at me, his love evident. “I never imagined I’d be this happy. Having you and Thomas here, building our family… it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

My heart swells with emotion, and I press a kiss to his cheek. “I feel the same way. And it’s not just us. Wyatt has been more accepting too. It feels like everything is falling into place.”

Beau chuckles, a knowing look in his eyes. “I think Wyatt’s change of heart has a lot to do with his girlfriend. He’s falling in love too, and it’s making him see things differently. He’s finally understanding why we went about things the way we did.”

I smile, thinking of Wyatt and his girlfriend. They’ve been spending more and more time together, and it’s clear they make each other happy. “She’s wonderful. I’m glad he found someone who makes him so happy. I like her a lot. She’s good for him.”

Beau’s dad is trickier but is warming up to giving the ranch to Beau when he dies. Knowing he has his own son has softened him a little. It’s still complicated, though. His father is a man of few words and even fewer expressions of affection, but the gesture of not selling the ranch is his way of showing trust and hope for the future.

Who knows what will happen in the end, but it’s nice that Beau set out on his own and won’t be burdened by the whims of his father anymore.

Beau’s arm tightens around me as if sensing my thoughts.

He kisses the top of my head and whispers, “We’ll make it work, love. One step at a time.”

As we sit there, surrounded by boxes and dreams, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This new chapter in our lives is just beginning, and despite the uncertainties, I know we have each other. For someone who has spent much of her life alone, that’s the best part of all of this.

We sit together, the weight of the past lifting off our shoulders, replaced by the hopeful glow of our future. Beau’s gentle kisses on my head and the warm embrace of his arm around me constant reminders of the love and strength we share.

“One step at a time,” I echo softly, my eyes meeting his. “We’ve already come so far.”

Beau's eyes crinkle with a smile, and he leans in for a tender kiss. “And we'll keep going. Together.”

The End