Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

40. Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The ultrasound gel is freezing when the tech inserts the probe.

It takes her a moment to adjust the wand. The rigid length makes me uncomfortable, but it’s outweighed by the nervous excitement boiling in my belly.

We haven’t told anyone besides Blue that I’m pregnant yet.

Dixon insisted we come down here right away. After the stress of being shot in the head, he wanted to make sure everything was okay.

I guess it’s handy having a doctor as my man. He was able to get me in exactly when he asked.

I just wish he’d wear his sling. Except since he’s holding Paisley in his good arm, he reaches down to squeeze my hand with his injured one.

He wouldn’t be able to do that if he was wearing it.

“Here we go.” The woman readjusts until the black and white images swell onto the screen.

Tiny pulses move in and out of focus.

Dixon’s grip on my fingers tightens as he watches.

Did he see something wrong?

When I find his face, a broad grin stretches his mustache before his amber eyes meet mine. “They’re perfect,” he whispers.

“There’s two heartbeats, Charlotte. Here’s baby a, and baby b.” She points at the tiny blobs with a smile.

“Paisley, can you see that? You’re going to be a big sister.” Tears trickle down my cheeks. “Do you want a baby boy or girl?” I’m not even sure she understands the implications.

“A baby chicken,” Paisley giggles, kicking her toes against Dixon’s side.

He chuckles and hefts her higher. “There might be questions if your mommy starts laying eggs.”

Well, there’s often a cock in there…

I bite back the urge to verbalize it, but can’t hide the heat that works up my neck.

Dixon’s jaw ticks when he sees me.

I bet he knows what I’m thinking.

The tech snaps a few screenshots and prints the pictures for us before removing the device.

“Congratulations.” She waves before leaving.

Dixon’s lips crash over mine before the door even latches. When he pulls away, his thumb traces my mouth. “I don’t know about a chicken, but my rooster is begging for a conversation.” He winks, then helps me sit up.

“Daddy, down?” Paisley wiggles in his grasp until he places her feet on the floor.

She runs to the shiny surface of the door and begins to make funny faces at herself in the reflection.

“Char, what do you think about making that—” He nods towards Paisley. “—official?”

“I’m not sure what you mean?” Letting the gown drape onto the rails, I tug my shirt over my head, careful not to pull on the bandage still on my forehead.

“Matt’s gone. She needs a dad. She can be a McCullough.” He runs a washcloth under the tap, then motions for me to spread my legs. “Just like her momma.”

It’s warm as he gently cleans the goop from between them.

I hadn’t considered Dixon adopting her, because I never thought Matt would relent.

“I think she’d like that. I would too.” Leaning against him, I relax into his soothing caresses.

But then his bare finger replaces the cloth, pushing into my pussy, he pulls me closer. “I love every piece of you Char, and everything that comes with it.”

Fire surges through me at his touch making me gasp and cling to his arm.

With a lopsided grin, Dixon slides his hand out and picks up my panties from my pile of clothes, tucking them into his pocket. “Except these. You don’t need them.”

“Yes, daddy.” I may be adding the fuel, but he stoked the coals.

“Char,” he growls as he grips my throat, tilting up my chin. “I may have to learn how to spank with my left until my shoulder heals. Get dressed before I let Paisley run feral in the halls while I bend you over this bed.” His mouth bruises over mine before he smacks my ass.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” I giggle, stepping into my jeans.

“Holy crap.” Sophia’s bright blue eyes look like they’re going to pop out of her head as she stares at the ultrasound pictures. She tucks a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ear before handing the strip of photos back.

“I’m so happy for you!” Lori wraps my neck in a tight hug. “Oh my god! We’re pregnant together! This is going to be so much fun!”

“It’s still early, twins are considered a high risk.” Dixon’s voice has a gruff tone, but his mustache twitches as he fights a smile.

“Shit, brother. You’re catching up in a hurry.” Mason chuckles, smacking Dixon’s good arm. He squats with Jack against his chest so he’s on Paisley’s level. “Are you sure you want this guy as your daddy?”

Paisley nods with her finger in her mouth, clutching Dixon’s pant leg before he pulls her up onto his lap.

“If she knew any better, she’d run from this family,” Sawyer calls from the kitchen while he opens the oven door.

The smell of pizza rolls fills the house when he pulls out a large tray of them.

I feel awful watching Lori clamp her hands over her mouth and take off at a run towards the bathroom.

Sawyer doesn’t know it, but this is exactly the kind of family I’ve always wished for.

“Mason, I need the guys to take care of the other horse barn while we’re gone.” Dixon hands Paisley one of Lori’s crackers from the package. “We’ll be back in three days. Keep an eye on that new foal.”

“I’ll check on him too.” Sophia offers from the end of the couch. “Whiskey looks healthy, just like Misty.”

“I was so happy to see that. I was worried after everything she’s been through that she would have lost some weight.” I think I cried for three hours out in the stall with her after Blue and Wade dropped her off the other night.

Dixon’s palm finds the back of my thigh, comforting me with his touch.

I can’t believe that in two days I’ll be his.

Forever.

“Can you believe we’re in Vegas?” Libby bounces excitedly next to me after she climbs out of the limo. Her light green sundress billows around her with every twirl.

Dixon has given us the royal treatment since we landed last night. He put Libby and Blue each up in their own penthouse rooms near ours.

Then he kept me up until nearly three in the morning breaking it in.

Bringing Libby along to watch Paisley was the best decision ever.

“I almost made it here my last year barrel racing. I qualified but couldn’t get the sponsors.” The lights of the Strip glint on the tinted windows when the chauffeur shuts the door.

Dixon wraps his arms firmly around my waist, snugging me against his muscular body.

He looks incredible in his three piece dark suit and new Stetson black cowboy hat. I have no idea how I got lucky enough to call him mine.

“Well, I’m honored I get to be the one who brought you here first.” His mustache tickles the scab on my forehead.

I didn’t want to get married with a big bandage, but the wound is still sensitive.

“This place can be fun, I’ve spent too much money here through the years.” Blue laughs softly, tilting his tan hat back on his head. “I can’t believe you’ve never been here.” His glance falls on Libby.

He’s all dressed up too. In a navy blazer and lean cut jeans, he looks so different than the man I saw burst out of the smoke to rescue me.

“Well, it’s hard to get away when you live at a dairy.” She grimaces.

Blue’s eyes narrow as he looks at her. “Which one?”

“Taylor. That’s my dad’s place.” When she turns to me, I don’t think she sees Blue’s face pale.

“Char, I think we’re the most envied women in town.” Libby leans close enough to whisper. “I mean, look at these guys.” She flicks her eyes between Dixon and Blue as she picks up Paisley onto her hip.

It makes me hug Dixon’s arm even tighter and smile. “Yep.”

When we step through the giant glass entryway of the chapel, we leave the heat and the noise of Las Vegas outside.

With a cool, quiet interior, we’re alone with a handful of pews and a small archway.

My heart races.

This is real. I think I might pass out.

“Hello, folks. Are you the McCullough party?” An older man with slicked gray hair and an arched back appears from a side door.

“Yes, sir.” Dixon’s deep voice fills the small space.

“Marvelous! Let me get my wife and we’ll get started.” He disappears briefly before returning wearing a burgundy velvet robe, escorted by an equally gray haired woman.

“Oh, you’re so adorable!” The lady squeaks. “Is this a double wedding?”

“No,” coughs Blue from behind me.

Libby giggles. “Not even close.” She readjusts Paisley who mimics her laugh.

“That’s too bad, you’re both beautiful couples.” The woman’s round cheeks puff in a smile, then she sits at a small piano in the corner.

I toss a wink towards Libby.

Her face is as red as one of my vine ripened tomatoes.

The preacher takes his place in front of the arch and gestures us towards him. “If you’d come up here please?”

If I don’t faint, I’ll surely puke on my new heels.

That would be a tragedy.

“Are you the witnesses?” he asks over my head.

Blue slides his arm to the small of Libby’s back. “Yep, sir.” He pulls her to just behind us.

The preacher’s head bobs with a smile. “Very good, let’s begin.”