Page 25 of After this Summer (Seasons in Montana: Summer #11)

BEAU

JESSE: We’re taking bets. You want in?

BEAU: You’re taking bets on my kid?

JESSE: Yes

BEAU: I should probably be surprised by that but I’m not.

JESSE: Only Pen and Lake think it’s a girl. Everyone else is team boy

JESSE: Oh and Sawyer – he’s team girl

BEAU: Team Boy

BEAU: I think Indie is too

JESSE: I think Jesse is a great name

BEAU: I’m not naming our kid after you

JESSE: You’re no fun

BEAU: That’s debatable

BEAU: My wife thought I was really fun last night

JESSE: I’m bleaching my eyeballs after reading that

“ W hy are you smiling?” Indie asks, her belly so much lower than it had been a few days ago. There’s still a week until her due date but the doctor said she could go any day, and for Indie’s sake, I hope it’s soon.

“I’m scarring Jesse.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Our families made a pool to see what we’re having.”

“If it’s a girl, we’re gonna be in trouble because we don’t have a girl name,” she says, rubbing her hand over her belly, her eyelids fluttering closed as she exhales heavily through her nose with a wince.

“Is that a contraction?”

“It’s fine. I’ve just been having these pains all day but they’re not consistent. They’re?—”

Her words are cut off as water gushes down her leg, her feet frozen to the floor as she looks down and then back up at me.

It’s go time.

INDIE

“You did so good. I’m so proud of you,” Beau murmurs against my sweaty forehead, his voice low and soothing as he strokes his thumb over our son’s cheek as he nestles in my arms.

Cormack Kade Sterling.

The perfect name for a perfect little boy who came screaming into this world and promptly settled the moment he was placed on my chest.

“I can’t believe we made him,” I whisper, completely in awe of our baby—of us—and everything we have to look forward to.

“I can’t wait to make another one.”

I snort and he grins, love and adoration and want in his gaze.

This man.

Not like I hadn’t been cursing him left and right with my legs up in stirrups an hour ago.

“There’s a waiting room full of people.”

“They can wait a little longer,” Beau says, taking Cormack and cradling him against his chest.

“You’re such a hot dad.” I sigh, unabashedly staring at my husband as he rocks our baby side to side.

“Gotta keep my wife happy.”

“She’ll be happy with a sandwich and an iced coffee.” I wink, or at least I try to as exhaustion settles over me.

“Jesse’s already on it.”

“What do you think he’s gonna do when he finds out he’s the godfather?”

“Gloat.”

“He should; that’s a pretty serious title.”

“I think he’ll be great.”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum, pulling the blanket a little higher as I try to get comfortable. “I’m glad we did this.”

Beau’s smile is almost boyish as he looks at me. “Have a baby?”

“Have a baby. Get married.”

“Twice.”

“Get married twice.” I smile. “When I found out I was pregnant, all I kept thinking was what will happen after this summer?” I lift one shoulder and let it drop. “And now I know.”

“And what, Stunner, will happen after this summer?”

“Everything, Heartthrob. Absolutely everything.”