Against the Odds A Love Story

Chapter 20

A love that has been tested is an inspiring thing to behold.

Twenty

I turned to my side, propped up an elbow and rested my head against my hand as I lay watching Hayden watching me. He lay on his back. He was so relaxed, and his eyes held the intoxicating look of love. I pressed my hand to his face and smiled. He smiled back and continued to quietly gaze at me.

“You probably won't believe this, but you've made me a mother today, Hayden.”

He grinned. “And just how do you know that, darlin'?”

“I just know.”

He turned on his side and propped himself up on his elbow. “You really want a baby, don't you?”

I nodded. “I've dreamed of nothing else since the day you told me how you felt about me in the stable. Well, actually I started thinking about it the moment you walked into the stable eating that strawberry.”

“Really?” he said, grinning wider. “You were dreaming about having my babies even then?”

I nodded, smiling at his playful grin. “I picture us with a half dozen kids or so running around this place.”

“Half dozen, huh. Well, I guess it's a good thing I built big.”

“It is,” I agreed, thinking about how much work he had put into building the five bedroom home. I sighed softly and placed my hand on his arm, feeling the firm muscles beneath his tanned skin. “Our boys will be strong and handsome like their daddy.”

He pulled me into his arms. “And our girls . . .” He paused and kissed my lips lightly. “Our girls will be beautiful like their mama.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed him then, and all conversation ceased as the passion between us flared once more.

~ ~ ~

That evening we finally got up and ate a light meal. Then, wrapped together in a blanket, we sat out on the porch swing and talked. It was another cool evening, but we had each other to keep warm.

Hayden held me close and I rested my head against his shoulder.

“You know your mama's gonna have my hide for not giving her time to get here for the wedding.”

“Naw,” I drawled. Hayden's speech was slowly rubbing off on me. “I think she will just be happy we worked things out.”

“She's not the only one.”

I nodded and looked up at him. “I love you, Mr. McKade.”

“And I love you, Mrs. McKade.”

I brushed my thumb against his lips as he lowered his head and kissed me. Each time he kissed me, touched me, or even looked at me, I could feel his love wash over me, and the warmth of it consumed my very soul. As his kiss deepened, my whole being yearned to melt into him.

“Raine,” he whispered as his mouth continued to passionately coax mine. “I'll make you happy. I promise I will.”

I eased back a little and looked into his eyes. “You've already made me happier than you could ever know.”

He pressed his mouth to mine again. “You're everything to me, Raine,” he continued to whisper. “You're everything.”

I sighed and burrowed further into his embrace. His arms tightened around me as he pressed his face into my hair. We held each other in silence. No more words were needed. We just let our hearts do the talking. We ended that night and the next, sitting on the porch swing, reveling in our love, and anticipating our future.