Junie could already picture Kip’s belly growing round, Trace hovering over her like the protective Daddy he was, the whole family celebrating with ridiculous enthusiasm. But right there in the middle of all that joy, a small, secret ache twisted deep inside her chest.
She wanted that, too. Oh, not today. But someday. She wanted a baby, maybe lots of them, and a real family. But the most important part of this family was having Tanner as her Daddy. The longing hit so hard it made her breathless.
She could almost see it. Tanner resting his hand protectively on her swollen belly. A boy with Tanner’s stormy blue eyes and that same crooked, trouble-making grin, or a little girl with his dark hair and her own stubborn chin.
She could almost hear him murmuring low, sweet things to their babies while he rocked them in the middle of the night.
Don’t go wishing for things you don’t know for sure will happen.
That was a tall order when she wanted it so bad.
As if reading her mind, Kenzie turned to her with a knowing grin. “So… Tanner brought you to the ranch to ‘keep you safe’ until the danger passes, huh?”
Junie’s cheeks burned hot. “It’s just a precaution,” she said, the words rushing out too fast. “It’s not because he wanted me to move in. He’s just being careful.”
The girls all exchanged those knowing, amused looks that made her stomach do a nervous little flip.
Tildi laughed softly. “That’s what I said, too. Right before Boone moved me in and never let me leave.”
“Same,” Joy added gently. “Chance told me it was only ‘temporary’.”
Kip winked, eyes sparkling with mischief, her hand absently rubbing her still flat belly. “Welcome to the club, Junie. Once a Daniels man decides you’re his, there’s no going back.”
Junie’s heart gave a wild flutter of hope, then she shut it down with fear. Was it possible she could be waking up every morning tangled in Tanner’s sheets, hearing him call her “Cupcake” in that deep, rough morning voice while he pulled her closer.
Could lazy Sundays, his big hand resting on her belly, and his laughter filling the house really be in her future?
But the second she let herself picture it, the old fear reared itsugly head. She’d spent years longing after Tanner when he’d come back home, waiting for him to notice her. Although they were definitely headed in the right direction, nothing was set in stone.
What if she let herself believe it? What if she opened her heart that wide again, only for him to realize one day that she wasn’t enough? That she was too much trouble, too needy, too… her.
“Well?” Kip prompted, still waiting for an answer to her question. “Don’t you think Tanner wants you as his Little girl?”
Junie forced a bright, shaky smile. “We’ll see.”
She was trying really hard not to count on anything, but deep down, a tiny, stubborn, hopeful little voice kept whispering.
Maybe… just maybe… they’re right.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Tanner kept his hand on the small of Junie’s back as he guided her up the wide staircase toward the east wing. The warmth of her body that seeped through the thin fabric of her dress and into his palm was pure temptation. It took real effort not to slide his hand lower, to cup the sweet curve of her ass and pull her against him right there on the stairs.
The Littles had been practically vibrating with excitement all through dinner, whispering and giggling behind their hands, but not a single one of them would spill the beans on what was going on. Even Ruby’s stern warning about eating cold supper for breakfast hadn’t calmed them down.
Junie stopped in front of his door, eyes wide with quiet wonder as she reached out and traced the heavy wrought iron bucking bronco latch with her fingertip, exploring every raised line and curve.
“This is really cool,” she whispered, “very rough and rugged vibe.”
A slow, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He’d chosen that latch on purpose—dark, scarred, a little rough around the edges. Just like him. He wanted her to see it. He wanted her to look atthat latch and think of him. To understand that nothing about him was polished or safe or temporary.
He wanted her to seehim.
After pushing open the door, he stepped aside, watching Junie’s face as she took in his space for the first time. He tried to see it through her eyes—the heavy reclaimed barn wood beams overhead, the massive stone fireplace that dominated one wall, the wide, sturdy bed built for a man his size. Everything was solid, masculine, a little rough. Just like him.
He hoped like hell she didn’t notice the faint, sweet vanilla scent lingering in the air. He kept a small diffuser in here on purpose. It reminded him of her—warm, sweet, and comforting. Always had. He wasn’t ready for her to know just how long he’d been carrying her with him, even when she wasn’t physically here.
Walking over to a small fridge in the corner, she read aloud the little handwritten sign held in place by a magnet.
