“Jake Thorne.” Caitlin had taken the phone from Brian. “You’re coming to the show with us. Period. We have a ticket for you, and I want to go with my family. Do you hear me?”

  Jake wanted to say no, but he knew how important it was to Caitlin that the Thornes were her family. Her parents had never been very good to her. The support and acceptance she’d gotten from the Thornes meant a lot to her. And she was pregnant. He didn’t want to upset her, so he gave in. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

  He went into the house to take a shower. His mother had already left since she was working at the talent show, so he had the place to himself. As he scrubbed off the muck from the day, his mind still raced, searching for a possibility that would appeal to Julia. The water was pounding against his back when he suddenly saw the situation clearly.

  He didn’t need a grand gesture. Julia would hate that. The last thing he wanted to do was make her the center of attention, knowing how much she disliked it. She’d want a conversation, just the two of them, maybe under the stars. That was it. The solution was so simple, and he hadn’t seen it. He dried off and got dressed as fast as he could before jogging to his truck. He wished he had flowers, but she’d want sincerity more than roses.

  He reached her ranch in record time, coming to a stop right in front of her door. This time he wasn’t going to leave a package and go. He strode onto the porch and knocked. Inside, he heard Wellington’s sharp bark and Fay’s quieter one, but no footsteps.

  “Julia,” he called. “Can we talk? Please.” He waited, straining to hear every sound, but he heard nothing but the rustling of her animals.

  She wasn’t home. Or she was avoiding him. His heart sank. Did one crib not mean what he thought it had? He leaned against her door, his hopes fading as fast as an autumn sunset.

  Slowly, he walked back to his truck, feeling more disappointed than he’d ever been in his life. He wanted to go home, pour himself a glass of whiskey and try to forget, but he’d promised Caitlin he’d go to the damn talent show. And he would. He’d go, watch half of it, and make his excuses before crawling home like a hurt animal to lick his wounds.

  The drive into Darby Crossing felt interminable, but soon enough he pulled into the high school’s parking lot and made his way into the building. He’d missed the opening performances. Not that it mattered. He wasn’t likely to notice any of it in the mood he was in.

  As he entered the auditorium, a familiar song caught his attention, weaving its way past the fog of hopelessness that seemed to surround him. It was the song he’d sung to Julia at the country swing bar all those weeks ago, back when he’d thought he and Julia would live happily ever after. It was almost cruel hearing it sung in a low, throaty woman’s voice.

  He glanced up and stopped in his tracks. Julia was on stage, in the red dress she’d worn when they’d gone out. Julia, his Julia, was singing a love song in public with a crowd of people watching her. As he stood there, her eyes found him.

  And he realized that she was singing to him.

  20

  Julia stood at the microphone, nervously watching the crowd and trying to acclimate herself to all those eyes being on her. She wanted to run off stage and hide because it was all pointless. Jake wasn’t even there. His seat in the front row next to Caitlin and Brian was empty. He hadn’t come, and she was going to embarrasses herself in front of the entire town for nothing. But stepping out on stage and then running off again would be even more embarrassing than a bad rendition of a song, so she had no choice but to push herself through it.

  The music began and she steeled herself to sing. The words came out softly and the stage manager motioned for her to step closer to the mic. She inched forward, wishing that a trap door would open so she could disappear. But she had to stick it out.

  One verse at a time. She’d practiced so much that there was no chance of her forgetting the lyrics, and they began tumbling out. The tune was off, her sense of rhythm terrible, but she persevered and forced herself to look over the audience.

  Just before she went into the refrain at the end of the first verse, she spotted a tall, lean figure standing in the aisle near the entrance doors. The stage lights were bright, preventing her from seeing his face clearly, but she knew it was Jake. He’d come. He was there, watching her.

  This was what she’d wanted, envisioned when this crazy scheme came to her. She just had to hold it together and sing to him, only him. He was all that mattered. She put her heart into the words now, because he had to understand. He just had to get what this meant to her and hopefully to him.

  When the music faded and applause began, she made her way down the steps into the audience, not sure what to do, all of her nerves returning. The only thing harder than singing and making her grand gesture was telling him that she loved him. And she had to do that next, no matter what his reaction was. She had to say the words. She owed him that. What happened afterward was up to him.

  When she came down out of the spotlight and blinked to adjust her eyes, she saw him standing there in front of her. Here was her moment.

  “Jake,” she said. Before she could get out more words, he swept her into his arms and kissed her. It felt so right that she barely remembered where they were until the kiss ended. The auditorium erupted in applause and cheering, and for once, it didn’t bother her to be the center of attention. She was so happy to be in Jake’s embrace.

  Jake was smiling and waving to people, but to her he whispered, “Outside.” With his arm around her waist, they exited the building into a courtyard.

  “Jake, I…” She trailed off when she saw his face in the light that spilled out of the building. His expression was serious, almost somber. Had she misinterpreted that kiss? Was it meant to say goodbye? Her heart seized with fear, but she knew she had to get the words out. She had to say what was in her heart. That was what this night was about. “I’m glad you came because I’ve got some things to say—”

  “So do I.” He paused. “Do you mind if I go first?”

  She wanted to speak before her bravado faded. But a small, cowardly part of her took hold. If he was going to say that it was truly and forever over between them, she could skulk away without having humiliated herself by laying her heart out for him. She’d call herself a chicken later, but she’d maintain some dignity in front of him. “Go ahead.”

  “Thanks. I love you, Julia,” he said, and her heart instantly lightened.

  “You do?” she whispered.

  “More than you can imagine.” His eyes met hers, and she saw in them everything she was feeling. “But I have to apologize, too. I didn’t listen to you the way you needed me to. God, I couldn’t even tell you that I was sorry when you asked me to. I was so set in my ways, so convinced that I was right, that I couldn’t see past my own arrogance to what you needed. It’s unforgivable, but I’m asking you to forgive me anyway. Because, I swear, I’ll do better in the future. I won’t be a perfect partner. I’ll screw up. I know that about myself, but I won’t stop trying to be the man you want. Making you happy, giving you what you need is too important to me. I’ll never give up trying. I’m stubborn like that.”

  “I know.” She was smiling now, but his face was still serious.

  “You’re aware of my flaws, I get that, but I promise to truly listen to your advice from now on.” He focused down for a minute before continuing. “We might disagree in the future about what’s best when it comes to land and horses, but I won’t let that drive a wedge between us again. I’ll listen and value your opinion because I’ve learned that there’s more than one way to do things.” His hands hovered near her as if he wanted to touch her and wasn’t sure he could. “It’s been a tough lesson. It’s been a tough month and a half without you. I love you so damn much, and I hope you’ll give me—give us—another chance.”

  She reached for him, grabbing the front of his shirt, and pulling him closer. “I love you, too.” She kissed him fiercely and with all the pent-up emotion inside her. “And yes, I’ll give us a second chance and a third and a fourth if we need it. I won’t give up on us again and walk away. I’m the one who did that, and I’m sorry.”

  “I didn’t give you much of a choice,” he said, his arms now around her.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you, too.” She stroked her fingers over the rough stubble on his jaw. “In the future, we’ll work things out together. Talk, argue, whatever it takes, but together.” She paused and took in a breath. “And that’ll be easier to do since we’ll be living in the same place. I’ve decided to move in with you if that’s what you still want.”

  His eyes widened. “I want to be with you more than anything, but it doesn’t have to be at my ranch. Yours is so close—”

  “It does have to be at the Thorne Ranch,” she insisted. “Your place is better for raising a family, and the ranch is part of who you are.”

  “But your family’s ranch is important to you.”

  “It is,” she admitted. She had a sentimental attachment to the ranch her father had put so much of his life into, but being with Jake meant more to her. “I’m not sure what I’ll do with it. Rent, sell, merge it with yours? I don’t know yet. That’s a decision for us to make another day.”

  “Is that why you changed the number of cribs from two to one?” he asked. “I got the notification today, but I wasn’t sure what it meant.”

  “It means,” she leaned against him, “that me, two dogs, two cats, a hedgehog, and six horses are moving in with you.”

  “And a baby.” His hand ran over her baby bump. “I’ve missed so much time with the two of you.”

  “We have lots of time ahead of us. Let’s focus on that.” She kissed him again, a long and lingering kiss, until they were both breathless.

  “Come home with me tonight?” he whispered.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. When he went to pick her up, she put a staying hand on his chest. “Jake, what are you doing?”

  “I want to carry my woman off.” He gave her a cocky grin. “But I guess I should ask if that’s okay with you. Is it?”

  “It is. Take me home and make love to me, cowboy,” she said, and he lifted her in his arms.

  Epilogue

  For the first time in his life, Jake felt nervous in front of others. The people gathered in the living room were those closest to him. Brian and Caitlin and their baby girl, Ella Rose, who’d been born just a month earlier. Amy, Cal, and Henry were visiting from their ranch. And his mother and Julia’s were just coming in from the kitchen.

  “Dinner’s about ready,” Laura Thorne announced to everyone.

  “Before we eat, I’ve got something to say,” Jake announced. “Everyone have a drink?” People raised their glasses as they watched him closely. He noticed their gazes turning on Julia, standing next to him, as if anticipating where this was going. In the four months since they’d committed to each other, he’d learned quite a bit about the woman he loved. For instance, he knew she didn’t mind being the center of attention if it was a small gathering filled with people she was close to, which was why he chose to ask her a very important question in front of their families.

  He turned to Julia, taking her hand in his, and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could get a word out, she let out a cry and doubled over in pain. For a second he froze, unsure what to do, but Caitlin rushed forward.

  “Are you having contractions?” she asked Julia.

  Contractions? As in…the baby was coming?

  “No, too soon.” Julia was struggling to catch her breath. “I think they’re just Braxton-Hicks. It’s been going on all day. That one was a lot worse, though.”

  Jake saw Caitlin shoot a look at the other women in the room. They all moved forward, surrounding Julia and getting her to sit on the sofa.

  “How many have you had?” Julia’s mother, Peggy, asked.

  “I don’t know. Coming and going. It’s fine.” Julia’s voice sounded remarkably calm. “My water hasn’t broken, and I’ve got almost two weeks until my due date. This isn’t the real thing.”

  Jesus, if that contraction wasn’t real, Jake was frightened of what was going to happen during the actual birth.

  “My water only broke with the twins, not with my other two deliveries,” Laura said. “That doesn’t always happen in advance of labor, you know.”

  “I know. It’s the same with animals.” Julia was breathing easier and sitting up straighter. “See, it’s passed. We can go ahead with dinner.” She’d barely gotten the words out when another wave of pain seemed to hit. Her face turned red and sweat broke out on her forehead.

  “How close together were those?” Amy asked.

  “Not much more than three minutes,” Brian replied. “I don’t think there’s time to get to the hospital. I’ve been in on a few births in my line of work.”

  “What?” Jake barked. The hospital was a half-hour drive. Surely they could… “You mean she’s going to have the baby now? Here?”

  “Looks like it,” his mother said, her voice calm. “We need to get her to bed.”

  Jake felt panic like he never had before. Julia was going to give birth at home? He needed to take action. He yanked himself together. “Right. Brian, go get Doc Billet and don’t drive like an old man. Amy and Caitlin, get towels and other stuff we’ll need. Mom, Peggy, help me get her to the bedroom.” He put his arm around Julia and got her to her feet. The fact that she didn’t protest him giving orders showed how much things had changed. They’d gotten better at reading each other. She no longer minded when he stepped forward to take charge, if the situation called for it—and he was a lot more careful about making plans that would suit her.

  It felt like slow progress to the bedroom since they had to stop when another contraction hit her. He wanted to carry her, but when he tried to lift her, she shook her head and he didn’t press the issue. When they reached the bedroom, they got her settled on the bed, and he held her hand through another contraction. His mom and hers were quietly moving around the room getting things ready.

  “Not what I had planned,” Julia said when she could speak again.

  “It’ll be okay.” He did his best to sound reassuring, but she shot him a glance that said she knew he was faking it. “Lots of babies have been born at home.”

  “That’s true,” Peggy said, coming to bathe the sweat from her daughter’s forehead with a cool cloth.

  “Glad you’re here, Mom,” Julia said.

  “So am I, sweetie. I can’t wait to meet my grandbaby.”

  Over the next several minutes, Jake coached Julia on breathing through three more contractions like the classes had taught him, while his mother and hers tried to make Julia comfortable and reassure her. Finally, Brian returned with Doc Billet.

  “Well, some little one is in a hurry,” the doctor said, putting down a black medical bag he’d been carrying for as long as Jake could remember. “Let’s take a look where we’re at.”

  “You’ve delivered babies before, right, doc?” Jake asked.

  Doc Billet eyed him. “It’s been almost ten years since my retirement, but I brought plenty of babies into the world before that, including you, young man.” The doc adjusted Julia’s position and examined her. Jake wanted to ask questions, but he kept his mouth shut, trusting in the doctor to know what was best. “Not long now. The baby is just about to crown. A couple good pushes and it’ll be over.”

  Jake stayed next to Julia, rubbing her back, as the doctor instructed her to push. Jake would have done anything to take on some of the pain she was in, but she amazed him by being totally calm and focused.

  “Almost there. One more. Good, good,” the doc said, encouragingly. “And here…she is.” Just like that the baby was out, and the doc held up the crying infant for them to see before placing her in a towel that Peggy held open.

  “Is she all right?” Julia asked, showing her anxiety for the first time. Jake was still too stunned to say anything.

  “A bit small, but just fine other than that, I think. Grandma’s got her. In just a second, you can hold her.”

  Less than a minute later, the doctor placed the baby in Julia’s arms, and they got their first true look at their baby girl.

  “She’s beautiful,” Julia whispered, staring down at the little face.

  “Of course she is,” Jake said, recovering. “She’s ours.” But he was bowled over by his first glimpse of his daughter. The baby’s eyes opened briefly and seemed to look at him before closing as she snuggled into Julia’s arms. He’d thought he was prepared for this moment, but he wasn’t. It was so much more than he’d ever expected.

  “Can we come see her?” Brian asked from the doorway.

  “Yes, come meet Charlotte Louise Irene Thorne,” Julia invited.

  A second later, the room was crowded with their family as everyone gazed at the newborn. Jake had never felt such joy and pride before. One look at Julia told him that she felt the same. Nothing about the day or his daughter’s birth had turned out as he’d expected, but it couldn’t have been more perfect.

  Part of him wanted to put off the moment that he’d begun in the living room. He could wait and do it right, but he looked at Julia smiling down at their baby girl and realized that no moment would ever be better than this one.

  He made a snap decision and pulled the engagement ring from his pocket. A silence fell when everyone saw it, and he cleared his throat. “I had a speech prepared, but someone stole the show. So I’m going to keep this simple.” He took Julia’s hand in his and focused on her. “I love you with all my heart and will until the day I die. Will you marry me, Julia?”

  “Yes,” she said, her eyes shining. “And I love you, too.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger and then put his arms around her and their baby. He kissed Julia, barely aware of the congratulations of his family in the background. None of what had happened that day was how he’d pictured it, but it was all more perfect than he could have ever dreamed. When Jake looked around at the smiling faces gathered in the room, he remembered the tough times they’d faced in the past. Then he lifted his baby girl in his arms and knew that the future was bright for the Thorne family.