Lara laughed. “Well, in that case, tell Pastor Collins to go ahead and begin.”
Belle corralled Joseph and set him on a pew between herself and Josie, who held baby Phillip while giving Joseph a look that clearly said,Stay put. Lara handed Isabel the bouquet, and her soon-to-be new cousin smiled nervously at her.
“I never thought I would marry again,” she said. “And yet here I am.” She glanced down the aisle where George waited for her. “And here he is.”
“He’s lucky you lost control of that wagon. Else we were all certain he’d die a bachelor,” Lara said with a smile of her own. She laid a hand on Isabel’s arm and squeezed. “We’re so happy to have you join the family.
She took her seat next to Mitchell, and the ceremony began. As Pastor Collins led them in the promises they made to each other, Lara glanced up at her own husband. It had been only a few months since they’d made these same vows.
She laid a hand on her stomach, thinking of the news she had yet to share with him.
Everyone clapped as Pastor Collins pronounced George and Isabel husband and wife. People streamed toward the newly married couple to offer their congratulations. There would be plenty of time to celebrate back at the ranch, and if Lara had to contain her news any longer, she thought she might burst.
“Come with me.” She grabbed hold of Mitchell’s hand and pulled him to the rear of the church, and out the door.
She stopped in front of the memorial area that held the markers for all the men who had perished in the blizzards so long ago and turned to face her husband.
“What’s wrong?” Mitchell asked, concern lacing his features.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She couldn’t stop smiling. “I wanted to say something earlier, when I found out for certain, but you were with George and there was so much to do to get Isabel ready . . . But now they’re married and I can finally tell you.”
“Tell me what?” He raised his eyebrows, his dark eyes as curious as she imagined hers often were.
Lara bit her lip. “We’re having a baby.”
He blinked at her.
“Did you hear me? We’re having a baby!”
He blinked again, and then his face creased as he shouted in glee. He wrapped his arms around her and swung her around before setting her down quickly.
“That didn’t hurt the baby, did it?”
Lara laughed. “No, he—or she—is just fine.”
“When?” he asked.
“Sometime next spring. May, most likely, Cecily said this morning.”
“A baby.” He shook his head. “I’m going to be a father.”
Lara wrapped her arms around him. “You’ll be the best father.”
“A baby,” he said again, looking down at her as he rested his hands on her shoulders. “You’re incredible, Lara, do you know that?”
She shrugged. “I suppose.”
He laughed and then ducked his head to kiss her. Lara leaned into him, drinking in his warmth and his scent. She never knew what she was missing before she met him. Mitchell King was everything she didn’t know she needed.
She leaned back, breaking off their kiss. “I’m going to talk to Josie and Isabel, and definitely Celia Wendler, and perhaps a couple of ladies in town. I need to know what’s coming. I’m going to find out every little detail.”
Mitchell threw back his head and laughed. “I’m not surprised. Just don’t pry too much, all right? Not all women might want to tell you every moment of their experiences.”
“Me?” Lara pressed a hand to her chest, feigning offense. “I would never do such a thing.”
Mitchell moved his hands to her face, his eyes tracing her features. “I hope our child looks exactly like you. Red hair, blue eyes, exactly ten freckles.”
“I amnotfreckled, Mr. King. How dare you.” She grinned as he laughed again.
