Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 161(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“Oh, Juniper, this might sound a little crazy and coming from left field, but are you planning on breastfeeding?” I walk in on their interesting conversation. The Johnson women are sitting around the big kitchen table, not another male in sight except for Case. He’s sitting in a highchair with some kind of food in front of him, attempting to pick it up with his chubby little hands. Mom mentioned it's to help with dexterity and when I mentioned he barely had any teeth, she said these snacks melted in his mouth. It looks like he’s getting the hang of it today. Drool is dripping down his chin and he's babbling away. I already know Juniper is planning on breastfeeding. We’ve talked about it. She wants that bond with our daughter, and I want nothing more than to watch as their relationship grows stronger.
Juniper’s eyes find mine. I see her, everything she isn’t saying. Gray eyes lighting up from the inside, and pure happiness is radiating from her. I tilt my lips, give her a nod, and let her answer Maeve. I’m tempted to say, ‘Fuck yeah, my woman is, and not a fucking soul will see her nourishing our daughter except me.’
“I want to, and that’s the goal.” Juni looks down at her chest, then back at me. Yep, she’s still getting used to the changes in her body. Meanwhile, I’m fucking over the moon with how she looks pregnant. She has always been beautiful, but her body growing with our daughter inside of her, well, it’s a whole new ballgame, one that I don’t ever want to end. My goal is going to keep her pregnant as long as possible. Juni and I may have settled on four, but I bet I can change her mind.
“Well, I found this new recipe that’s supposed to help increase milk supply. I’ve had a few others ask about them, and I was hoping you could help me make sure they taste okay?” JW, who I notice is digging his way through the boxes, stops and looks up at Maeve.
“I wouldn’t mind at all. Anything you bake I’m more than happy to help sample.” I watch as Juni takes a bite of a lemon bar. I’ve got a need for a taste of my own.
“JW, get out of here! Your cinnamon rolls are on the counter in the box. Good grief, son,” Mom admonishes. JW does as she says. He may think I didn’t see the look he gave Maeve, but I did. One day, he’ll grow a set of balls and go after the woman who has his dick tied in knots.
“Hi, honey.” Juniper turns her head toward me as I take my place beside her.
“Hey, you having a good time?” I ask. My mouth goes to hers, dropping a quick kiss to her lips.
“The best. I could do with an afternoon nap, though.” Her eyebrows wiggle. Apparently, napping has a new meaning, and I’m damn sure going to take her up on the offer.
“Who’s been in my cinnamon rolls?” JW’s voice carries through the kitchen and dining room.
“I did,” Maeve says without a hint of regret.
“Oh, well, okay then.” The girls' laughter fills the room, Case joins in, and JW even has a satisfied look on his face, probably from stuffing his face full of the treat Maeve keeps him well stocked in. While their attention is everywhere except on me, I take the opportunity to give my woman a real kiss. The palm of my hand goes to her stomach, giving our baby girl a silent hello, loving the swell of my woman's belly more and more each day.
EPILOGUE
JUNIPER
Six and a half months later
“I knew I’d find you two out here.” I’m situated under a tree, back to the trunk, a blanket beneath me, and a few things I’d need are in reaching distance. A burp rag, my ever-present mug of water, a diaper, and wipes. We’re back where it all started. Okay, not the bar or the ranch. We’re at the cabin. It didn’t take much to talk Lawson into coming up here for the weekend. I’d just finished the macrame swing I’d been working on for most of my pregnancy, and this is technically the last week of my maternity leave. Even though Lawson doesn’t want me to work at all, I still want to. We did settle on part-time, and I’d bring Jasmine to work with me. We’d trade off if a patient came in, or we’d take her up to the house where Catherine can watch both of her grandbabies. She was over the moon, as was I. The only person still grumbling is my soon-to-be husband. Standing my ground and getting the wedding of my dreams while our little girl walks down the aisle throwing flowers with her ring-bearer cousin, Case, is what I want, and the rest I couldn't care less about. The wedding could be out in the woods, in the barn, or off the front steps of Catherine and Russell’s house. All I care about is a few of the details. The rest can fall where they land.