Page 184 of Cautious Love

“I’m so in love with you, Shy, it’s hard to form words.”

That makes me look up. “I love you is enough,” I tell him.

“Then I love you a million times over,” he says.

“I love you too,” I rasp. “And I will never get tired of saying that.”

We stop at home to change and head out to Hayes Ranch, which will be my home in another couple of months.

I finally called Dad and told him I was married. He was both happy, mad, and sad all at the same time. Which I can understand. I felt the same way, maybe for different reasons, but I get it.

“Do you want to tell my family we’re pregnant?” he asks.

I haven’t told my dad we’re pregnant yet.

“I want to hold the secret for a while longer before we tell the world.”

Ledger grunts and kisses my knuckles. “I can do that.”

“I got you something.” I tell him, nodding toward the bag on the counter.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” he says, grabbing his phone and wallet.

“I saw it and thought you’d like it.”

“That’s thoughtful, thanks,” he says.

“Open it,” I tell him, bouncing on my feet. I can barely contain myself.

He huffs. “How can I say no to that?”He opens the bag and pulls out a box, and he scrunches his nose. “Seriously? A butterfly puzzle?”

“What? You don’t like it?” I ask him.

His jaw tightens, and he puts it back in the bag. “Thank you for the gift,” he mutters and kisses my cheek.

I giggle and grab his hand, kissing his knuckles. “I love you.”

“It’s a good thing I love you too,” he grumbles, rolling his eyes.

But it doesn’t take long for him to pull me into his chest and kiss my cheek. “You love messing with me, don’t you?”

“It’s a wife’s job to keep her husband on his toes.”

“Oh, boy.”

When we get to the Hayes house, it's chaos and smiles and hugs andhome.I love my dad, and I’m grateful for everything he did for me. But now our family is bigger, and I’ve found a place I belong.

After we eat, Ledger announced he has news, and by the time he’s done explaining our situation. It’s silent save for the TV in the living room Naomi’s watching.

“All of this being said, you can’t tell a soul. This information stays in this house forever.”

Everyone nods absently, shock still all over their faces.

“But you’re staying married?” June asks.

“We are. It’s not exactly a typical story, but it’s ours,” Ledger says

“I knew it didn’t justhappen fast,” Sterling says, and glances at June.