Page 21 of Under Fire in Big Sky

“Well, I’m asking now.”

Olivia gazed down at her stomach and smiled. Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was the greatest sound in the world. “I want this baby.” His baby. “More than anything.” She glanced over at him, and he looked like he was going to be sick. “Are you upset?”

He shook his head.

But nothing else from him.

Eli needed time to digest the news, which she’d expected, but deep down, she hoped he might be happy about the baby.

“Is your truck here at the hospital?” She wanted to change the subject and there was nothing better or more pressing than work.

“I had to drive. They wouldn’t let me ride in the ambulance with you.”

“As soon as I’m out of this thing, I need to call Lauren. Update her.” Although Olivia was sure her boss had already heard the news about the fire, either from Whitney or some other source. “Get her to send me everything about the development of the resort that she withheld from me. Lauren and her secrets.” Olivia inwardly groaned. “I’ll need my secure laptop, too, which is in my luggage.” At the hotel that nearly burned down with her inside it.

“Your mission was to stop NDR from sabotaging the opening of the hotel. You failed,” he said, and she bristled. “End of assignment.”

“This is just the beginning. Those zealots messed with the wrong woman. They knew I worked for ASIG and tried to kill me for it. I’m going to hunt them down, one by one, and see to it they end up behind bars, where they belong. Starting with Audrey Carter.”

“You can’t be serious,” he said in a slow, careful way.

“Why not?”

Folding one arm across his chest, he tipped his head to the side. “For starters, you’re pregnant.”

“It’s a condition. Not a debilitating disease.”

“But it isn’t safe.”

“This is my job, Eli. There are inherent risks with every assignment. This one isn’t any different. Do you think I’m going to resign after how hard I’ve worked to climb the ladder?” She was no quitter, literally or figuratively.

“Well, um, I—”

“I’m a fully qualified field operative. I do this all the time and have for years.”

“Stop,” he said, his tone so soft it was strained. “Who are you fighting? Me or yourself? I’m not some Neanderthal, but this is different.”

“Is it?”

“Look around. You’re in a hyperbaric oxygen unit because of fetal hemoglobin levels.” He took a deep breath. “It’s different.”

Okay, maybe it was a little different. Still… “Do you expect me to simply sit behind a desk for seven months when I’m capable of doing so much more?” Not that she had considered the specifics regarding work, yet. Of course, she’d make changes at some point and slow down a bit, but not for a while.

“You’re two months along?”

His question caught her by surprise since she assumed the answer was obvious, but they’d been together in February and March, too. Technically, she could’ve been farther along. “Yes. The baby is due in late January.”

Another nod from him. Stoic expression and ramrod posture returned. “It happened the last time we were together. During the one week we got sloppy when we’re usually so careful.”

In April, he flew to Colorado Springs. They went to an Imagine Dragons concert, hiked Pikes Peak, hit the new exhibit, The Tangled Self, at the Denver Art Museum, visited the Raptor Refuge where they rescue and rehabilitate injured birds, and ate every meal—he cooked them all—in bed after they made love. Three times without any protection since they ran out, daring to take the chance. No thought of the consequences. Like foolish teenagers.

She figured either his little swimmers or her eggs were probably duds anyway. A serious miscalculation. Who would’ve guessed they were both so fertile?

Especially her, at her age.

But that’s what they did, lived every moment they were together to the fullest. She’d never been happier than during his last visit.

“I started this assignment,” she said, “and I intend to finish it. With or without you. But I’d like it if you’d continue to have my back on this.”