I laughed. “There’s no way you canknow that!”
He shrugged. “It’s a hunch.”
“Well, then I think it’s a girl,” Ireplied just to be contrary.
He groaned. “Christ, the last thing Ineed is a little girl, especially if she looks like you. I already have myhands full,” he grumbled.
“You’ll be a wonderful father,” I saidseriously, ignoring his teasing. I knew he’d be happy with either sex.
“And you’ll be a wonderful mother,” hesaid, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
“I hope so,” I whispered, feeling asmall knot begin to grow in my throat. “I wish my mom was still here to show methe ropes. I have no idea what I’m doing,” I admitted thickly.
He squeezed me close and kissed myhead. “We’ll figure it out together,darlin’, justlike we do everything else.”
That made me feel better and I nodded.
“I think we’ll need a bigger place,”he noted, surprising me. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind.
“Really?”
He nodded. “More bedrooms, biggerbackyard.”
My brows knitted with confusion. “Butwe have two bedrooms already.”
He squeezed me firmly. “I grew up anonly child, babe. We’re having at least two.”
“At least?” I gulped. I was just now gettingused to having one. “Why don’t we see how this one works out before we startplanning on a fleet,” I quipped.
“At least two.” He grinned, kissingme.
“We’ll see,” I grumbled.
“Gonnaput aring on your finger, baby,” he added seriously. “You won’t know when or where,but just know it’s happening.”
I stiffened in his arms and pulledback to look at him. “Just because we’re having a baby together doesn’t meanthat we have to get married,” I replied, watching as his blue eyes narrowed. Irushed to continue, wanting to get this out. “I just don’t want you to feellike you have to…propose,” I explained as my eyes scanned the horizon, unableto face him. “We could just see how it goes for a while…” my voice drifted.This had been my biggest fear, that he’d feel forced to marry me. It was thelast thing I wanted.
“You’re afraid I feel obligated,” hesurmised correctly.
“Yes,” I answered simply.
“Already have the ring, babe,” hereplied quietly, putting his finger underneath my chin to turn my face to his.“And I’ve had it for a while,” he admitted.
I let out a small laugh in surprise.“Really?”
“Really,” he replied seriously as hestared intently into my eyes.
“You’re crazy,” I teased him, though Iwas beyond relieved at this news even if it meant he was moving a million milesper hour as usual. I was tempted to ask just how long he’d had it but I decidedagainst it.
“Maybe so, but you’re stuck with me,”he said with a grin, his mood lightening.
“Yeah, I am.” I grinned back, leaningin to kiss him.
I felt far from ready when we packedup and headed home. After three full days of nothing but Cole and relaxation, Iwanted nothing to do with going home. But duty called for both of us and Ireluctantly piled into the truck with Chief.
“Ready?” Cole said as he grinned and startedup the truck.
“No,” I grumbled.