Page 112 of Wilde Hearts

I laughed. “I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

Ensley walked back up to me and placed her hand on my chest. “You’re really happy?”

Nodding, I leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. “I’m beyond happy. I love you.”

Her blue eyes sparkled as she said, “I love you more.”

All I wanted to do was pick her up and carry her somewhere that I could make love to her. But I knew that would have to wait. “We should get going before we’re late. You didn’t have to drive here, by the way. I thought we were meeting at your parents’ house?”

“I wanted to tell you the news alone. I didn’t want to risk telling you around the fam.”

With a slow shake of my head, I said, “I hope I don’t give it away.”

Ensley reached for her coat, and I helped her put it on. “Trust me, no one will be the wiser. And I trust Emeline to keep it to herself.”

I reached for my own coat, shut my office door, and locked it. “This has got to be the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.”

Lacing her hand in mine, Ensley agreed. “Best Christmas Ever.”

During the entire drive to River Falls Ranch, Ensley and I talked about what would be the best option regarding our living arrangements. Expand on the cabin? Build something new on River Falls Ranch, or on my family property? Or maybe buy our own place, with some acreage to settle on and put down roots? It was a lot to think about, on top of the news that we were expecting. We decided to put it to rest until after the holidays.

I pulled up and parked behind Caden’s truck. Turning to Ensley, I took her hand in mine. “You ready?”

She nodded. “What if I burst into tears when I see Jackson and Nellie?” she asked, referring to Emeline and Levi’s son, and Caden and Lilibeth’s daughter.

“You won’t, sweetheart.”

She wiped away a tear. “I’m already crying. What if something happens during the pregnancy?”

“Hey,” I said, placing my hand on the side of her face. “Don’t stress about that, Pip. Even if, God forbid, something does happen, we’ll keep trying.”

Nodding, she wiped at her face. “Is my makeup okay?”

“Your makeup is fine. You look beautiful. It looks like we’re the last ones here, though. Are you ready?”

Ensley drew in a few deep breaths before saying, “Okay, let’s go.”

Christmas Eve at the Wildes’ had changed since the last time I was in River Falls. It was usually chaotic while setting up the Christmas Day event for the local orphanage. That had recently been moved to a few days after Christmas, giving the Wildes time to celebrate with family and friends.

The second we stepped into the house, I drew in a deep breath and smiled. It smelled like Christmas. Memories from years past flooded my mind as Emeline quickly walked up and hugged her sister.

She hugged me next, then whispered in my ear, “Congratulations.”

Kissing her on the cheek, I said, “Thank you, Emeline.”

We were soon surrounded by family and friends. Conversations were going on all around me, and I took it all in. Ensley had a glow about her and a smile on her face that I was positive would be there all night.

Gus, Ensley’s grandfather, approached, and we soon fell into a conversation about cattle and, of course, horses. Nellie kissed me on the cheek and told me she’d hid some of the Oh My God brownies from Gatlin and Caden. She’d remembered they were my absolute favorite dessert. Of course, they were Gatlin and Caden’s, as well.

Levi walked up and bumped my arm. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

He nodded. “So.”

Forcing myself not to smile, I nodded back. “So.”

“Anything new to report?” he asked, before taking a sip of his beer.