“You don’t have to worry about my investment. I can take care of me and mine.”
“I’m sure you can.” Another one of those weird giggles.
“Then I don’t see the point of this call.”
Ouch, Ryan.
“I was just curious when you’d be back…”
“Why is that?” Ryan’s face contorted in confusion.
“I mean to keep an eye on things.” She stammered, stumbling over her words.
“I couldn’t say. I have things here that are far more important than the ranch. Jo and I have a baby on the way.”
“She’s having your baby!?”
The fuck? I was offended by the shock in her voice. Here I was having second-hand embarrassment for her, really feeling bad for the woman, and she was questioning the parentage of my baby. I rubbed my belly defensively.
“Of course it is.” He looked at the phone as if it had grown two heads. “You don’t have to worry about the ranch. Y’all are in a good place and excellent hands. Goodbye. Sunshine, press disconnect for me, will you please?”
See, bitch, he had manners when he wanted to.
“Sure thing,” I answered with a little too much cheer.
I’m sure she realised, as I disconnected when he asked me to, that the call was probably on speakerphone.
“Weird call,” he mumbled.
I was staying out of the situation unless asked directly. Maybe the call would be enough to deter her.
Then he shook his head, as if dismissing the phone call. He walked over to me and gripped my waist, giving it a squeeze. “Do you want something to eat besides the scones?”
“I think I will have an apple.”
“Then afterwards we can take a nap.”
“You mean…” I wrinkled my nose at him. “…you want me to take a nap.”
“No, I mean us, but first you can give me some sunshine.” He kissed my neck, then captured my lips.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RYAN
Our unborn child has already captivated me in ways I never expected. Sharing this pregnancy journey with Jo has been one of the most meaningful and cherished experiences of my life. That includes the moment I stood tall at West Point’s graduation, my chest swelling with accomplishment, and the gruelling triumph of finishing at the top of my class at Ranger School, where every challenge forged me into something stronger. However, it was nothing compared to what I feel knowing I’m blessed with becoming a father. I embraced the idea the moment Jo confirmed she was pregnant. I started planning for our future immediately.
The moment it became real was when I first heard her heartbeat. Jo had been surprised I wanted to be there for the ultrasounds.
“Did you not want me to come?” I asked, my voice laced with uncertainty.
“I just didn't think you would want to be that involved,” she said, her tone soft but guarded.
“Of course I do. I don’t want to miss these moments or have you go through them alone. We are a team,” I assured her, my words firm but trembling with the weight of what this meant to me.
We made small talk as we waited for the ultrasound technician to arrive and show us our baby for the first time. The grainy black-and-white image that appeared was a wonder. However, what truly made it real was when the loud whooshing sound began, filling the room like wild horses thundering across the plains, a rhythmic pulse that seemed to echo through my entire being. Without thinking, we reached for each other’s hands, our fingers intertwining as if to anchor ourselves in the moment. Sharing that experience with Jo, holding her hand as we witnessed the undeniable proof of the life we had created together, was more powerful than I could have ever imagined.
“Is that the baby’s heartbeat?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, trembling with awe and disbelief.
