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Lennon blows out a shaky breath beside me.

I squeeze her waist in support.

And once the paper is signed, the four of us exit the courtroom and reconvene in the hallway.

“So, when are you gonna tell Mom?” Owen asks after checking that no one is close enough to overhear.

“Tonight,” I say, looking over at Lennon. “Lennon is telling her family tomorrow, and then she’s moving in with me Monday night.”

Elodie runs a hand through her hair while looking over at Lennon. “Have you made a doctor’s appointment yet?”

“No. That’s on my list to do this week.”

Elodie reaches for Lennon’s hand. “Just get in as soon as you can.”

“I’ll make sure she does,” I cut in before Lennon can reply.

Lennon groans. “I know how to make my own doctor’s appointments, everyone, thank you very much.”

Elodie pushes Lennon’s hair behind her shoulder. “We know you do, but the entire reason you’re doing this is for health care, so don’t put it off.”

“I’m going to get her added to my plan as soon as possible,” I add.

Owen rocks back and forth on his feet as he lifts a brow at me. “Well, I hate to run, but I need to get back over to town hall to take care of some paperwork. I’ll see you tonight at home then?”

“Yup. See you then.”

He leans forward and kisses Lennon on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, Lennon.”

“Ha. Thanks, Owen.”

With a curt nod, my brother exits the courthouse, leaving me and the girls.

Elodie threads her arm through Lennon’s. “I guess it’s my turn to steal the bride and spend some time with her before I have to make the drive back to Blossom Peak. I hope you don’t mind, Easton.”

The urge to keep her close comes on strong, but I reluctantly release her. “Not at all. I guess I could head to work to speak with my boss. Maybe get paperwork started as well.”

“Thank you again, Easton,” Lennon says, a crooked smile on her lips—the lips that are going to taunt me for the next seven months and beyond, I’m sure. “And this ring is…”

“Anything for you, Lennon.” I lean down and press a kiss to her cheek much like my brother did, but I let mine linger just a tad longer on her smooth, silky skin.

When I stand up and find Elodie studying me, I ignore her questioning gaze and turn to leave, hoping that the distance for the next few days will help remind me that this marriage is transactional, and nothing else will come from it.

I just wish my head and heart could agree on the same lie at the same time.

***

I knock on the open door, waiting for my boss to look up from his computer. “Donovan?”

Our eyes meet, but his stare turns confused. “Easton? What are you doing here? I thought you needed the day off…”

I enter his office and take a seat in the chair across from him. “I did, but now that my wedding is over with, I figured I’d come into the office to start the necessary paperwork.”

Donovan’s eyes widen. “I’m sorry. Did you just say wedding?”

Yes, I did.

“That’s right, Donovan. My girlfriend found out that she’s pregnant, so we decided to get married.”