“This changes nothing,” I murmur.
The whooshing sound abruptly stops, and Ashley clears her throat. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
I nod once and turn back to my wife as the door closes, leaving us alone in the dark. My heart hammers against my ribcage as desperation overpowers all reason. “I’m here for you, Angel. What do you need?”
She shakes her head almost imperceptibly. “Nothing. I’m sorry I dragged you into my mess.”
“I’m not. I’m right where I want to be.”
I mean it with every fiber of my being. There isn’t a single doubt in my mind about Angelina or her baby. They’re meant to be mine; I just need to make her believe it, too.
She closes her eyes and blows out a long breath. “I can’t ask you to play daddy to another man’s child. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“You aren’t asking.” The words come out harsher than I intended. I gentle my tone, running my thumb along the backof her hand. “I’m a man of my word, and I made a promise to you in that chapel all those weeks ago.”
“It was a mistake.” Her voice breaks on the last syllable. “I won’t hold you to it.”
I turn her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. “I don’t make mistakes.”
“Griffin…”
“Don’t. No more excuses. No more hypothetical scenarios. We’re having a baby—you and me. I’m choosing you, Angel. Youandthe little one growing inside of you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Are you kidding me? I feel like I’ve won the goddamn lottery.”
She sets free a watery laugh. “Ok. Ok. I guess we’re doing this.”
Her smile is a balm that instantly soothes. I kiss the back of her hand. “We’ll work on the enthusiasm.”
A gentle knock sounds, and the door opens a crack. “Is it ok if I come back in?”
Angie pulls her hand away from mine to wipe away her tears, and I instantly miss the contact. “Yes. Come in.”
Ashley takes her seat behind the ultrasound machine again. “How about we get you some pictures to take home?”
We both nod, and I press my forehead against hers. “Our baby’s first pictures.”
She stares at the black-and-white image on the screen, reaching for my hand again. “Ours.”
Chapter 16
In The Clouds
? Landslide - Haley Klinkhammer
Griffin
One Year Ago
Two distinct voicesdrift on the breeze, reaching me from somewhere nearby. The first one is soft and sweet, the other burns through me like a raging wildfire. She’s always had that effect on me.
I step out of Misty’s stall, securing it behind me before taking up residence in the open doorway, my arms crossed over my chest as I take in the view.
Angelina and Emmy Lou are lying on one of Mama’s quilts, staring up at the sky just south of the fence line.
Emmy points one small finger at a cloud. “That one looks like a duck.”
