Page 89 of A Curse On Black Lake (Black Lake Gothic Cowboys #1)

Killian

It rarely snows in this part of Texas, but this year we got a white Christmas.

Eliana is running around the kitchen finishing up dinner before Wyatt gets here. I told my wife I’d help fifteen times, but she kept telling me I was in the way. So I left her to it.

After we got married, she asked for a kitchen remodel.

We’ve both always worked with old things, I couldn’t say no to her.

So, I redid the kitchen and added a space for her to work.

She loves being in here. It doesn’t matter if I’m capable of cooking.

But Eliana calls it her kitchen. I’ve been thinking about building her a separate building or an add on to the house purely for her apothecary, but I’m not sure I could get it done before the baby comes.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to have Wyatt here?” I ask her.

She spins around and rubs her belly. Our first kid is due sometime between the end of April and the beginning of May.

“Yes, Killian, it’s a good idea. He doesn’t have anyone else either, remember? Who are we if we don’t hold our family close?” she asks.

I sigh and drag my hand through my hair.

“I know he thought you were a serial killer, but you need to get over it.”

“He never said he was sorry,” I grumble.

“Then man up and tell him you’re mad at him,” she says.

I chuckle and watch her go back to cutting out biscuits and setting them on the tray. Placing my beer on the table, I stand from my chair and come up behind her, resting my hands on her belly, and my chin on her shoulder.

She turns to the side and kisses my cheek. “Will you please let me help you? I don’t want you on your feet like this.”

She grumbles and leans back into me. “You are literally incapable of cutting out a biscuit, cowboy, what makes you think I’ll let you try again?”

I chuckle and kiss her neck. “They’re just biscuits.”

Eliana snorts and pats my hand on her belly. “Fine, but if you mess them up, you’ll pay for it later.”

“Thank you, darlin’,” I tell her and kiss her on the cheek.

She goes into the living room and sits down while I carefully cut the biscuits out, careful not to twist the cutter or they won’t rise, as Eliana has told me ten thousand times. I made the mistake once.

The oven dings, and she gets up to check the ham. “Alright, it’s done,” she says.

“You need muscles for this ham, don’t you?” I ask her, flexing my arms, simply to get her to snap at me.

She purses her lips. “I’m sorry, who’s carrying this baby?” she asks.

“Someone is frustrated,” I grin.

She tongues her teeth and crosses her arms, pushing up her growing breasts. I stare at her chest and catch myself, bringing my eyes up to hers.

“You’re right, I am, but you’re definitely not going to get some now,” she says.

There’s a knock at the door, and I lift the ham out of the oven.

“That’s not fair!” I yell.

“Hey, Killian,” Wyatt says, holding a dish and a bouquet of flowers.

“These are for you.” He gives the flowers to her and hands me the dish.

“Thank you,” she smiles.

I stare at Wyatt, and he stares back.

Eliana clears her throat.

“I—” we both say at the same time.

“You first,” I tell Wyatt.

“I know it’s been a while, but I’m sorry. I know you understand, but I’m still sorry.”

I nod, and he holds out his hand. I take it, pulling him in for a hug.

“Alright, the last batch of biscuits is in the oven, so we can go ahead and get started,” Eliana says.

“Thanks for having me,” Wyatt says.

Eliana looks up from the counter. “You’re family, Wyatt, and family can have some bumps in the road. Plus, we want our kids to know their uncle,” she says.

He rocks back on his heels. “I’d like that.”

We get everything on the table and sit down. I say grace, and we fill our plates with food.

“Have things stayed calm lately?” I ask Wyatt.

He finishes chewing. “Yeah, ever since Edw — he was killed it’s like the rest of the murderers stayed away for the most part. It’s a strange reprieve, but I’m not holding my breath.”

I glance at Eliana, and she reaches to her side, grabbing my hand.

It was her sacrifice that changed everything here, and we’re the only ones who know it.

She wanted to keep it that way, knowing people in this town wouldn’t understand, and it wouldn’t help the way they see her, but I don’t think she cares either way.

Her focus has been growing that baby, us, and her apothecary.

I don’t want her to worry about anything else.

“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” Wyatt asks.

Eliana grins at me, and I sigh. “She doesn’t want to know. I do. So I lost that fight, obviously. I don’t care either way, but I want to know.”

Wyatt chuckles. “I would too if it makes you feel better.”

I look at Eliana. “See? I’m not crazy for wanting to know.”

“You’ll find out when you catch this baby I have to push out.”

I wince, still not sure about that. It’s not unusual for women to have home births around here, but usually they have a midwife to help them. Eliana is the midwife, so she’s been training me on how to handle some things because she’ll be preoccupied.

“Wait, you’re not going to the clinic at least?” Wyatt asks.

Eliana snorts. “Nope, I know how to do this, and I trust Killian. I’m not worried.”

“You’re a brave man,” Wyatt says.

I snort. “Let’s hope I don’t pass out.”

“Big baby,” Eliana says, poking me.

“So, Wyatt, what are you up to?” she asks.

“Not much. We’re looking through cold cases at the moment.

But I did get a call from the state police in Louisiana.

They said they found a body on the other side of Black Lake, and it flagged a cold case we have here that’s still unsolved.

Because the department solved the Rochester case, they asked me in for a consult. ”

“Wow, that’s huge, Wyatt,” I tell him.

He shrugs. “It sounds like a weird one. I guess I’m that guy now. But I hope I can help.”

“I’m sure you will, you understand there are things at work that aren’t always what they seem,” Eliana says ominously.

His eyes narrow. “You always say the strangest things,” he says, and goes back to eating.

Eliana snorts.

I lift an eyebrow, wondering what she’s getting at, and she makes a come on you know why face.

Ahh, the Spirits.

“Are you seeing anyone?” Eliana asks Wyatt.

“Nope. You know it’s not exactly easy to date in Black Lake.”

Eliana grins. “I guess I wouldn’t know. Killian kind of pushed his way in. I didn’t really have a choice,” she says.

“Hey, that’s not fair, you came to me,” I mumble.

“That’s not the same, and you know it,” she says.

We laugh and talk about the apothecary, how the cattle are doing and what our plans are when the baby comes. Eliana won’t be able to help me for a while, so I’m going to need help. I was hoping Wyatt could, but he won’t be here.

“There are a couple of guys at the fire station who can help. You don’t have to train them either. I heard them talking about being a ranch hand.”

“Yeah, I might go over there, see if they’re interested. I’m going to need help with the other animals too. Eliana had to have another cow.”

“He’s a highlander! Obviously, I needed him.”

I shake my head and reach for her hand. I’d give her the moon if she asked.

“Well, prepare yourself because I want these kids to have animals too.”

“Oh boy,” I mutter. She smiles wildly at me.

After dinner, Wyatt and I clean up the kitchen so Eliana can rest. We say our goodbyes, and I watch my cousin go down the gravel driveway.

“I told you it would be fine,” Eliana mutters, looking at the Christmas tree. She wanted a live one, so we had to go west to the next town over where they were selling them.

I drop down on the couch next to her and lay my head in her lap. Her fingers draw through my hair, and I turn so I’m facing her belly.

“I wanted to name you before you arrive, but your mama knows best, as she always does.”

“I’m glad we don’t have to have a fight about that,” she says with a glint in her eyes.

“I figured it out pretty fast, darlin’.”

“I love you, little one. I can’t wait to meet you,” I whisper to her belly.

“Why don’t we make a list of names? Then we can pick when the baby arrives.”

I roll my eyes and kiss her stomach. “Yes, ma’am. Even though it would be easier if we knew.”

Eliana throws her head back laughing, and I smile at her.

She smiles and laughs a lot more now. The grief is still there for both of us, but it’s different now.

It hasn’t been a whole year for Eliana since her Grandma Juniper died.

But facing the things we have, we look at life differently.

It’s not a thing we have to get through anymore.

It’s something we have to focus on experiencing because every day is a new day, and it could be our last.

“I love you,” Eliana says.

I smile up at her. “I love you too.”

“Can you get that little box, please? It’s to the left of the tree,” she says.

I frown, wondering what she’s talking about.

We opened presents this morning. She got me a few new shirts and socks because she was tired of trying to mend threadbare clothes.

And she got me some books she thought I’d like.

I got her a handmade sketchbook and paints. She mentioned wanting to try it, so I got all the supplies for her.

Looking under the tree, I find a small box with a ribbon tied around it. “I didn’t see this earlier,” I tell her.

“I know, it’s because I put it there when you weren’t looking,” she grins.

I chuckle and sit next to her, plopping a chaste kiss on her lips. “My wife is a sneaky one.”

She lifts a shoulder shyly.

I hand her the box, and she shakes her head. “I want you to open it.”

“Baby, why did you get me anything else? I told you if you wanted to get me something else, get it for the baby.”

“Just open it.” I kiss her temple, and she grins. The ribbon gives way, falling from the box, and I rip the paper open.

The small box makes me think it could be a belt buckle of some kind, but it’s not heavy enough. Confused, I open the box, and it’s an ultrasound picture.

Circled in blue at the bottom corner of the picture says — boy.

I look up at my wife. Tears are in her eyes, and I glance at her belly. “A boy?” I ask her.

“Yes,” she says.

I grab her face, kissing her chastely.

“We’re going to have a boy,” I tell her.

She rests her forehead against mine. “He’s going to be a good man, just like his daddy.”

THE END for now…