“Why are you thinking about a second baby when the first one isn’t even here yet?” I asked in exasperation.
“We’re going to need a house, Freckles,” he explained. “I’m just thinking ahead.”
“Oh,” I said, my insides going all mushy.
“I never thought ahead before,” he said quietly. “Not really. Not until you.”
“Brooks,” I whispered, tears collecting in my eyes.
“I’m going to buy you the house that you want. Or I’ll build it. And I’ll give you as many babies as you want.”
“What doyouwant, Brooks?”
He cradled my face in his hands. “Just you, Freckles. All I want is you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
The Apartment
“You need food,” Brooks said as he attempted to get out of bed.
I tightened my arms around him. “Don’t move.”
“Freckles.”
“I’m not hungry,” I lied. And then my stomach groaned.
“What was that now?” he asked in amusement, brushing a kiss to my forehead.
“I don’t want you to move and my stomach eating itself is worth it.”
There was a knock on the door.
“How are people getting into this building?” I demanded.
“Spare keys,” he stated. “Now I have to get up so I can answer the door.”
I reluctantly let him go.
We’d spent the last several hours in bed—holding each other and talking about the future. It had been a perfectbubble of contentment, but now a visitor was determined to pop it.
I sat up and gently touched my scalp as Brooks opened the door.
Muddy stood at the threshold, and she carried a ceramic Dutch oven and a reusable green fabric shopping bag on her shoulder.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she said, taking in Brooks’ comfortable clothes. “But I thought you might be hungry.”
“You have impeccable timing,” I said, finally climbing off the bed. I was in my pajamas, and I had no shame about it despite it not even being six o’clock.
Muddy set the Dutch oven onto the stove and turned on the burner. “Bean and barley soup. And homemade sourdough.”
“Thank you,” Brooks said.
“Didn’t think either of you would be up for cooking tonight,” she said, her hazel eyes bright as they looked me over. “You are one lucky girl.”
I glanced at Brooks. “The luckiest.”
“When you’re feeling better,” Muddy said. “I’ll take you out shooting again.”
