LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Epilogue

Seven weeks later...

"Caleb, you look so tired." Kate smoothed her little boy's dark hair from his forehead and checked his temperature.

"I was practicing. I only slept a little."

"Practicing?"

"Carrying the ring. I don't wanna mess up. I want it to be perfect. You look so pretty, Mommy. More than ever."

Kate blinked against tears. "Thank you, Caleb. You look so handsome in your suit."

Jasmine picked Caleb up with a smile. "Your mama is the prettiest bride I have ever seen. Why don't I take you over where the guys are and you can show them how good you are at carrying the ring?"

"I have Mommy's ring for Josh. Jacob has Josh's ring for Mommy. He's tired, too. We should maybe practice again. Gosh, you sure are pretty, Mommy." He kissed Kate's cheek and Jasmine carried him to the men on the other side of the house.

The moment they were gone, Krista, Mary, and her mother huddled around her.

Kai asked, "Are you nervous? You look a bit flushed."

"Crazy nervous." Kate's voice trembled. "I know Josh will never hurt me. He loves me even though he was almost killed because of it. I-I'm not sure what's wrong with me."

Mary ducked out of the room as Krista hugged her shoulders and her mom blotted her makeup.

A few moments later, there was a soft knock on the door. Josh stood on the other side looking gorgeous and calm. He gave her a smile and Kate ran to him. She hugged him hard. His arms were the only place on earth that truly soothed anything troubling her heart.

"Kate, you look stunning."

Stroking her hands over the pale champagne fabric, she was glad he thought so. Her dress was long-sleeved for the cooler weather with a fitted bodice and layered skirt. Her heels brought the top of her head to his jawline. Wearing her mother's pearls, she felt classically pretty.

"Thank you, Josh. You look beautiful."

"Ladies, would you mind giving me a few minutes alone with Kate? I know it isn't usually done." Without a word, Krista and their mother left the room. As the door clicked softly shut, he held her shoulders. "Are you feeling jittery on the inside?"

She nodded tearfully. He took her hand and guided her to the seating area at one end of their bedroom. He sat in one of the overstuffed chairs and lifted her over his lap. His palm flattened over her abdomen.

"We don't have to rush, Kate. I'm willing to wait as long as you need to. You aren't showing and won't be for a while. No one knows but us. Do you need more time?"

"No. No, I don't want to wait. I..." She met his eyes and wasn't sure of the right words.

"Tell me, Kate. Let me help."

"We haven't seen each other in two days. It always feels wrong not to see you. It makes me off-balance and I start overthinking things."

"Like what?"

"You're taking on a lot, Josh. A wife, son, and new baby. With everything that happened - you know, with Brian - I started wondering if you're sure about all of this."

"Ah, I see." He had a serious expression. "You're not nervous about marrying me...you're nervous about me marrying you." She nodded. "It occurs to me that you're under the mistaken impression you're getting more out of this deal than I am."

"Josh, in all honesty..."

"I am making out like a bandit," he interrupted. "I know it! I can't even believe you're willing to be my wife, that I'm going to get the coolest kid possible as my step-son, and we're bringing a baby into the world together. It's like a hit the fucking lottery, Kate. You're beautiful, kind, funny, and smart as hell. I'm a simple rancher. Luckiest bastard alive."