Page 106 of A Simple Regret

At first, I see confusion cross his face, but the moment realization sets in, it’s replaced with elation. “Really?”

I nod. “I just found out yesterday.”

He wraps his arms around me and lifts me off my feet as he spins. “Holy shit, Shortcake.” Then he quickly sobers and sets me down. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No, silly, I’m fine.”

“I can’t believe it. You’re pregnant?” he asks, seeking confirmation.

“I am. I was supposed to start on Wednesday, and when I didn’t by Friday, I took a test.”

He rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes. “This is the dream, Shortcake. You and me and the future we want together.”

“No regrets,” I whisper.

“None,” he confirms before kissing me once more. Taking my hand, he turns me toward the glow of the barn. “Come on, future Mrs. Miller. Let’s go say our goodbyes. I’m ready to go home and make love to my fiancée.”

EPILOGUE

Maren

“Mama, wook!”

I look up and find a small bass fish flopping around on the end of Theo’s line. “Great job, Theo,” I encourage, getting up from my chair to go over and take photos of his first catch.

“Smile, little dude,” Camden states, grinning from ear to ear.

“Cheese,” Theo proclaims, doing everything he can to hold up the line and the pole.

“Now one with Cam too,” I state, taking a step back so Camden can get in the frame.

“Yay, Daddy!”

Everyone stops moving. All eyes turn to Theo. Camden, bless his heart, barely breaks stride as he steps into position. He smiles for the photo, and there’s no missing the tears swimming in his eyes.

I don’t even know if I’ve framed up the photo correctly, because I can barely see through my own wetness gathering in my eyes. “Great job, guys.”

“Unca Cade, wook!” Theo hollers, running toward Camden’s brother to show him his fish.

“Hold up, little dude. We don’t run with a fish when the hook is still in his mouth,” Camden states softly. “Let me show you how we take the hook out, and then you can carry the fish over to Uncle Cade.”

“’Kay,” he says, watching intently as Camden shows him how it’s done.

“Now, he’s really slippery, so I’m going to show you how to carry him. Don’t get near his mouth,” Camden instructs.

“Or he bite me?”

“He can bite you, yes. You also have to be very careful of his gills and fins. They’re sharp.” Camden takes his little hands and demonstrates how to hold the fish properly. “When you walk with the fish, you have to walk very slowly and pay close attention to where you’re going, all right?”

He nods, looking down at the slimy fish in his hands.

“Okay, you can go show Uncle Cade now.”

We both watch as he gingerly heads toward Cade, who is grinning from ear to ear as he approaches. It’s quite comical, actually, because Theo looks like he’s tiptoeing up on someone and about to scare them.

And then it happens.

He stops behind Lizzie and puts the fish right next to her ear. “Rawrrr!”