Chapter 8
Nine monthslater
Aaron cuddle Sophiaon his lap, more content than he could ever recall being in the past. As he had suspected, everything had worked itself out. Now he had more than any one man had a right too; a wonderful daughter, loving wife, more coin than most of his peers, and twins on the way. He was a lucky manindeed.
“Daddy, tell me astory.”
He grinned, bouncing her on his knee. “Which one would you like tohear?”
“The one about the long haired lady.” Sophia snuggled against his chest as hebegan.
“There once was a beautiful woman with hair the color of spun gold that reached well past her waist and a singing voice that rivaled theangels.”
He caught one of Sophia’s curls in his hand and twilled it with his fingers. “A selfish man who could not see her worth sold her to an equally villainous man who locked her away. Only she was far too smart for the unscrupulous men. One day she found a way to escape, hiding herself away in a stranger’scoach.”
Sophia rubbed her fingers back and forth across his collarbone, a small sigh drifting from herlips.
“The woman had found her way into a duke’s carriage, though she did not know it at the time. When he discovered her he could not help but offer hisassistance.”
Aaron trailed of as someone entered the room, delicate footfalls giving themaway.
“Together the duke and the fair haired woman stopped the villains, saving each other and earning their happily ever after.” Emma finished the story coming to stand beside the chair, her hand resting on hisshoulder.
Sophia glanced up, understanding dawning in her gaze. “Mama, you are the woman in thestory.”
Aaron chuckled, “Indeed sheis.”
“I knew it.” Sophia grinned, climbing from his lap. She moved to the floor and started playing with herdoll.
Aaron stood, coming up behind Emma and wrapping his arms around her waist. He spread his fingers across her swollen belly where his twins grew. Evidence of the love they shared. His heart warmed as it always did when his wife camenear.
He bent his head close to her ear, inhaling her lavender scent. “Have I told you I love youtoday?”
She craned her neck to gaze at him. “At least a half dozen times, and yet I never tire of hearingit.”
He smiled the rakish grin he knew she adored. “Then I shall endeavor to say it a dozen more before the day fades away. And every day here after.” Emma turned in his arms to rest her hand on his cheek and stare into the depths of his eyes. “As willI.”
