Page 94 of The Mistletoe Dare

“Alden, I already told you, all my kisses are yours,” she said, snuggling into him.

“I know,” he said.

“I think I knew it would be you beneath the mistletoe with me from the start.”

“Give over. When I knocked you on your backside—which was not my fault—you hated the sight of me.”

“I did not,” Georgie retorted. “I was only furious with myself for liking such a dreadful man.”

He chuckled. “I’m glad you did. I’m glad you completed your dare with me and didn’t leave it for this year. Just think how different this Christmas might have been.” He shivered and tugged her closer. “Forget I said that. I don’t want to think of it.”

“Me either,” she said sleepily. “And just think, next year, we’ll have a family of our own.”

“Well, we might,” he agreed. “God willing.”

“No, we will. Sometime in June, by my reckoning.”

Rochford sat up so quickly Georgie’s head thumped from his chest to the mattress.

“Alden!” she protested, blinking up at him, and then she saw the look in his eyes.

“You,” he said, sounding breathless. “A baby? In June? You… You never said. Not a word. You didn’t tell me. Have you seen a doctor? Are you well? Why didn’t you tell me?”

He sounded panicked, possibly rather angry. Georgie sighed. The only time he became unreasonable was if he thought she was unhappy, sick, or in some way at risk. She’d known he might react badly.

“Which question shall I answer first?” she asked wryly, pulling herself upright.

“All of them!” he said, his expression taut.

She reached out and cupped his face, stroking his beard. “I didn’t tell you before because I wasn’t certain, and I knew you’d fret. Also, I wanted to speak to Mama first. No, I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but I will, and yes, I’m very well. I’m fit and strong and very happy, Alden. There’s no need to fret.”

She watched him carefully as he digested this. He let out an unsteady breath and rubbed a hand over his face. “Christ, Georgie. You might give a fellow some warning. I think I’m having a heart attack.” He pressed the heel of his hand to chest and glowered at her.

“I’m not a fragile little slip of a thing, Alden. I’ve good child-bearing hips like my mother,” she added ruefully. “She gave Pa three huge sons before she had me.”

“What if it’s too big? What if—”

“You’re a big man, and I fit you perfectly. So our child will fit me perfectly. There’s no problem. Mama isn’t worried, so neither must you be.”

His expression pinched, his brow furrowing, and Georgie reached out a hand to smooth it. “Now what?”

“I don’t know how to be a father,” he said, his eyes filled with anxiety.

Georgie gave a soft laugh. “And you didn’t know how to be a husband either, but that’s going splendidly well. You’ll be a splendid father too, my love. I know you will.”

“You think so?” he asked, looking dubious.

“I most definitely do,” Georgie said, her voice gentle. “Are you still happy?” she asked, cautious now.

He laughed, sounding rather stunned as he pulled her back into his arms and settled them both against the pillows.

“Georgie,” he said, his voice low. “Last year, when you gave me the mistletoe berry and a kiss, I thought it was the best Christmas I had ever had. This year… This year I did not believe it was possible to be any happier than I am now.”

“And now?” she asked, his dear face blurring as she blinked away tears.

“Next Christmas, with our own child. A son or daughter. My God, Georgie, I am to be a father. I am terrified, but… I cannot wait for that. That will be the happiest Christmas ever.”

“Yes. Until the next one,” Georgie said confidently, nestling herself in his arms.

“Yes, and the one after that,” he said with a choked laugh.

“And the one after that,” she murmured, yawning as sleep got the better of her.

Georgie smiled as she closed her eyes and her husband’s arms tightened reassuringly around her. She still wasn’t sure she believed there was magic in that old hat, but she was glad she’d done as her mother had told her to and put her trust in the dare and a mistletoe kiss.