Page 267 of Promise Not to Fall for the Rich & Famous

Grandma C grabbed Jane's tiny hand and hunched down until they were eye to eye. "You're going to be a terrific big sister, Jane. You know that?"

Jackie patted Belle’s cheek before giving it a kiss. "I just knew you were glowing today." Her words were coated with emotion, and her eyes were welling with tears. "God is good,” she declared. “God is good."

Ellie was next to give Belle a gentle side hug, mindful not to disrupt baby Ian. Once she’d congratulated the small family on their upcoming arrival, the men shuffled in and did the same, minus the squeals.

"I'm happy for you, big bro," Nash said, already referring to Cash as a brother, even if it was just by law. A spurt of joy burst through Ellie as she considered how many sisters she would gain if, and hopefully when, she and Nash got married. It was something they spoke about like they did anything that the future was sure to bring—spring after winter, morning after night, growth after a seed was planted.

It had been wonderful to have Wyatt and Wade join them for the Thanksgiving holiday. On their first night back, Ellie and Nash hosted the pair at the ranch house, which is where they were living now, so Nash could resume his ranch chores. During that dinner, the four of them replayed some of the outstanding moments from the events that had put them all in danger.

It had been therapeutic, discussing, reflecting, and ultimately giving praise to the great man upstairs for their triumph. The boys had asked about her father, and Ellie filled them in on the latest. He’d been ordered to serve a three-to-six-year sentence in a federal prison for his fraudulent crimes.

Ellie had spoken to him on the phone; he’d told her aboutlife in the clinker, as he called it, and promised to take the courses for gambling addiction as soon as they became available. He claimed to be glad that Ellie was living the life she’d longed for—one free of Hollywood. As it was, Ellie didn’t share a whole lot about her end of things. He’d have to earn her trust before she ever did. Still, she was open to talking with him from time to time, and reminding him that, despite what had happened, she loved and cared about him. She always would.

"Well," Wyatt said after congratulating the expectant couple, "we've got a little something prepared on the back patio, so before we dig into dessert, let’s head out there."

Ian began to squirm and fuss in Ellie's arms as she followed the group to the patio. Abbie and Taja swooped in, like a couple of mama hens ready to gather their chicks.

"It's feeding time," Abbie said first.

"For this little guy, too," Taja said. “We’ll bring these little fellas back to you once they've eaten."

Once the entire family was seated on the deck, the outdoor burners and patio fire pits glowing with warmth, Wyatt spoke up again.

"Seems like little Rosie's always coming up with fun game ideas, so we thought we'd come up with a little game of our own."

Wade spoke up this time, lifting a small pumpkin the size of a cantaloupe in the air. "It's calledPass the Pumpkin. You pass the pumpkin, we play music, and once the music stops, whoever is left with the pumpkin gets to open it up and keep the prize inside."

Rosie began clapping her hands. "Yes, I love this idea!"

"I'm glad to hear it," Wade said with a wink in Rosie's direction.

"Let's get ‘er going with the music," Wyatt said, looking in Rem’s direction.

Rem, dressed in black as usual, pulled out his phone and flicked his thumb over the screen. "Coming right up," he mumbled around a toothpick.

A country song began to play, its distinct twang drifting over the air.

Wade handed the pumpkin to Grandma C, who handed it over to Cash.

On the pumpkin went, getting passed from one person to the next. Since Taja and Abby were nursing, Rosie rushed to receive it in their places.

When the music played on, Rosie hurried back to her spot between Wes and Cash. The pumpkin made it past Ellie, past Nash, and clear to cheery little Rosie when the music suddenly stopped.

"Oh, looks like you won the prize," Wade said.

"I get to open the top?"

"You sure do. Take a look at what’s inside."

Rosie gingerly lifted the lid, then gasped as she saw what was inside. "Oh my goodness! It looks like a baby axolotl! Pinky is going to love this!"

Pinky, Ellie knew, was the name of Rosie’s stuffed axolotl, which was approximately the size of a banana. This one was closer to the size of a large jalapeno.

Rosie was quick to hop up and give Rem, Wade, and Wyatt hugs of gratitude and delight. "It has a little bit of pumpkin chunks on its face," Rosie said as she brushed its tiny cheek with her finger, giggling as she did. She planted a kiss on its cheek and squished it to her chest in a hug. "I love you, Pinky Two."

"Didn't you say we have one more of those things?" Rem asked as he shot a look between Wyatt and Wade.

Wyatt nodded. "Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. We've got one more pumpkin with one more prize." He held up a much smaller pumpkin. This wasn't the size you could bake a pie with. This was more of a decoration pumpkin—the size of a baseball, perfect for sitting on the table next to a candle and a bowl of candy corn.