Authors: Stephanie Beck
Mary's Men (25 page)
The silly bunny and bright eggs she’d made in anticipation of the holiday graced the fireplace shelf, giving the space a pastel, welcoming feel. She could imagine the way it would look at Christmas with a giant tree from the hill, lights and garland…she’d make it a home to celebrate in.
“What’s next?” Thomas asked, looking as pleased as his brother at the progress they were making.
It took a few meetings, but he’d convinced the bank to lend him enough to get started with his law office. Just as he started Morris’s only other lawyer pulled back his shingle, leaving Thomas to take over. He’d been up to his elbows in wills, contracts, and small civil cases. Watching him come into his own confirmed what she’d seen when they first met. Thomas flourished in his office with consistent work that let him use his experience and education.
Mary stepped closer to Thomas and hugged him tight. “I love it. You guys have done so much.”
She let him loose and jumped into Paul’s waiting arms. He’d worked so hard, was still working hard between the ranch and house. The second land sale led to a third—all smaller pieces he’d acquired over the years and couldn’t work anyway, setting him up to work his dream. New cows arrived and more buildings were scheduled to be built. He’d hired experienced men willing to work and even managed to take a few days off. They had so many plans, all the brainchildren of Paul’s dreams. The house first, then new bunkhouses and another shed. He’d be busy in the summer, and she couldn’t wait to help.
“Oh, come on,” Duane said from near the fireplace. “I’m the one who supervised these gorillas so they didn’t break anything. Where’s my reward?”
Paul set her down and she ran for Duane. He hadn’t put on nearly enough weight, but she’d come to terms with him being thin. At least now his skin was healthy and strong. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair. He was stronger. Therapy did its job and he’d been able to ease back on his meds within a few months of being home. When he’d started working at the local clinic he’d really turned a corner, showing his confidence in spades. She adored his strength and character—even when he acted the part of bossy doctor at home. After which she reminded him just who kept things running in the body of their family.
She gazed around the space again. “This is really, really nice, guys. I couldn’t have imagined anything nicer.”
“What’s next?” Thomas asked again. “I’m thinking more bathrooms.”
“I want the dining room done so we can get to building side rooms—like my office,” Paul said.
“And obviously I want the bedrooms done so I don’t have to sleep on fucking bunk beds or next to you two anymore,” Duane said. “No offense, guys, but the sleeping arrangements in the cabin suck. I’m too tall for the bunks and last night Thomas tried to spoon me or some shit.”
“I did not.” Thomas gave his cousin a light shove.
Duane shoved him back with the playful nature she’d seen more and more often as the war became further away. She’d come to understand they showed affection with their physical interaction and it was heartening to see them getting along.
The men looked at her expectantly for her opinion on what she wanted next. Mary blew out a breath. Not long ago she might have recommended they work on more bathrooms, but things changed. She’d been keeping her secret for over a month now, wanting to be sure of the special gift for all three of them. She smiled.
“Well, I reckon you’d better do all of those things and plan on finishing another bedroom,” she said.
Paul frowned. “Why? Does Marcy plan on coming out a lot? We can use the cabin for a guest house. I can even have the guys add a bathroom to it if you want.”
“I’d prefer this room be really close to mine,” Mary said.
“Hell no, my room is going to be really close to yours,” Duane said, and he ambled closer. “Guest rooms can wait a while.”
She shrugged even as her stomach did a full flip. “Guest rooms can, but a nursery can’t.”
Duane froze mid-step. From behind her a feminine gasp rang through the room. Mary winced. She’d hoped to tell her men alone, but apparently Marcy and Helen had followed them. Mary glanced over her shoulder. Aunt Marcy smiled and hopped up and down. Helen’s ruddy cheeks turned deathly pale.
Mary steeled herself before she turned back to Paul, Duane, and Thomas. Kids had been in the plans…right after ‘eventually’. The pill should have worked better…would have worked better had she taken it with more care. As she got closer to her men, delaying having kids had become less important. Each of them feared fatherhood for his own reason, and at the end of the day, right or wrong, she’d decided to take the step for them. Growing up with so many siblings gave her a deep affection for little ones and she wanted them with her men.
She searched Thomas’s face first. He’d been her first love. His grin outshined Marcy’s. He swept in and lifted her in his arms, spinning her in a circle.
“When?”
“Um, after the first of the year probably. The doctor said we’d get a better date nailed down in a few months, but it looks like late December or early January. I should have waited a little longer to share, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore.”
“I’m glad you didn’t wait to share it.” Thomas kissed her tenderly, his lips the barest whisper on hers. “I’m so happy.”
A warm hand settled on her shoulder. She found Duane there, not smiling. In fact, fear radiated from him. She patted Thomas, who let her free. She turned to Duane and rubbed his forearms. From the start she’d seen he needed time and didn’t do well with change, but he’d have nearly nine months to get accustomed to this one.
“You’re terrified, and that’s okay. It really is. I knew this would be hard for you. You had a hard time growing up, but I promise you I’ll be the mother to our kids you never had. You’ll have the chance to be the father yours should have been.”
He nodded and held her tight. Where Thomas’s embrace had been happy, excited, and jubilant, Duane’s felt very serious. She’d waited to tell them partly because she knew he, especially, would have a hard time embracing fatherhood. His parents hurt him so much growing up. She hoped he could throw himself into raising a child—knew he would eventually.
“You can count on me,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll struggle some days, but you and this baby will never want for anything. I promise.”
“I know. We’re going to love you so much,” she said. “Every single day.”
He pulled away and nodded. His serious expression remained, but the light in his eyes, if not exactly excitement, showed enthusiasm. He might be unsure, but he wanted the baby and wanted her. She lifted up on her toes and kissed his lips.
He finally smiled and Mary set her sights on Paul. She’d known Thomas would be thrilled. Had anticipated Duane’s trepidation, but Paul was her wildcard. He’d shied away from baby conversations, always saying something about fate and timing. Well, fate gave them a gift and the countdown started now.
Paul stepped up and lifted her without warning, cradling her in his arms. He settled down on the sofa they’d brought over from the cabin. His warmth combined with the soft expression in his eyes added a cherry on the announcement.
He sighed. “Well, I should have known something like this would happen. The pill was simply no match for my potent swimmers. I hope you’ll forgive me for knocking you up before we’d planned.”
She laughed out loud and smacked his arm. Duane and Thomas immediately protested his claim, good-natured insults and boastful declarations about power erupting from her men. Paul leaned his head forward. Mary did the same until their faces touched.
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah.” She ran her hand down his cheek. “Are you?”
He smirked. “It’s a hell of a surprise, but I saw it coming when you were planning the rooms out with me. The builders started on the bedrooms last week before they took off for the holiday. I also had them move the timeline up and had them bring in a few more guys. The house should be done by fall.”
Her heart swelled to the point tears fell from her eyes. “You knew?”
“I know a lot about you, but I figure it’ll take the rest of our lives to figure out the rest. I hope you and the new little one will be patient while we figure everything out.”
She kissed him and settled into a hard hug as Thomas and Duane continued to argue. “You bet. We’ll take it a day at a time. Good things are coming. Lots of them.”
About Stephanie Beck
Even before she understood what all the thrusting meant, Stephanie Beck loved reading romance. When the stories didn’t end the way she wanted, writing her own was the perfect solution. From ridiculous humor to erotica, Stephanie loves being transported within a story. When she’s not elbow deep in words, her husband and three children command her attention. After they are sleeping she knits or bakes cookies…or squeezes in more writing.
Stephanie’s Website:
www.stephaniebeck.net
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