Page 37

5 years later

Callum surveyed the warmly lit interior of the Eagle’s Nest, his chest tightening with a mix of love and pride. The whole place was only open to them tonight, and Joy’s food truck was catering with some of her specialties.

The bar hummed with laughter and conversation as their closest friends gathered to celebrate two monumental milestones: five years of marriage to the love of his life, and Sloane’s graduation from college with her art history degree earlier today.

Tonight was more than a celebration; it was a testament to their resilience and love.

Sloane’s laughter drew his attention, and he found her seated at one of the tables, glowing despite being eight months pregnant. Her hand rested on her round belly, and her smile—soft and genuine—lit up the entire room.

He crossed to her, nodding at Joy and Eva, resting his hand on her shoulder. “How’s my graduate doing?”

She tilted her head to look up at him, those piercing blue eyes he’d fallen for years ago shining with warmth. “Pretty great. Can you believe I did it?”

“There was never a doubt in my mind,” he said, bending to kiss her temple. “You worked your ass off for this, and it’s all worth it.”

“ We worked our asses off,” she corrected, lacing her fingers through his. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

His heart swelled at the thought of everything she’d accomplished. Juggling coursework while raising their spirited son, Graham, hadn’t been easy. Add in the challenges of her pregnancy over the last two semesters, and it was nothing short of extraordinary.

But again: he’d never had one second of doubt she could do it.

“I just held the fort down, angel. You’re the real star.”

Sloane laughed softly, shaking her head as Zac Mackay’s booming voice rang out from across the room. “Callum, are you going to stand there staring at her all night, or are you going to come talk to the rest of us?”

Callum grinned, his arm slipping protectively around Sloane’s shoulders. “Not sure I can tear myself away from this view, Zac.”

Sloane playfully swatted his arm, though her cheeks pinkened. “Go. I’ll still be here when you’re done catching up.”

Callum reluctantly let her go, but not before leaning down to brush a kiss across her lips. “Don’t go anywhere.”

She laughed. “Not likely. Your daughter makes moving more effort than it’s worth.”

A daughter. She’d been here in just a couple more weeks. Callum was already a little terrified.

As he joined Zac, Bear, Theo, and the others by the bar, he couldn’t help but scan the room again. Almost everyone from town was here, wanting to support Sloane, just like they had that night against the Kozak brothers. The band played softly in the background, and some people were already out on the dance floor.

“Five years, huh?” Bear clapped him on the shoulder. “Doesn’t seem possible.”

“Time flies when you’re chasing a toddler and praying for naptime,” Callum replied dryly, though the affection in his tone was unmistakable.

“How’s Graham doing?” Theo asked.

“Thriving,” Callum said, his chest tightening with pride. “Smart as a whip and stubborn as his mama. Loves trucks, puzzles, and going into work with me whenever he gets the chance. Kid’s going to outsmart us all one day.”

Zac smirked. “Wonder where he gets it.”

Callum chuckled, but his attention shifted back to Sloane. She caught his eye, and he inclined his head toward the small dance floor near the band. Her brow lifted in curiosity, but she nodded.

“Excuse me, fellas. I just remembered I don’t want to talk to you after all.”

His friends all laughed, not at all offended. Most of them took off to grab their own wives when they saw what he was doing.

He crossed to Sloane, offering his hand. “Dance with me, angel?”

“With this belly?” she teased, but she placed her hand in his without hesitation. “You sure?”

“Positive.”

He led her to the floor, guiding her into his arms as the band began to play a slow, soulful tune. He kept a hand firm on her back, the other clasping hers, their bodies swaying gently to the music.

“We don’t get to do this much,” he murmured, his voice low. “Not since…”

“Our wedding,” Sloane finished, her lips curving into a smile. “That was a good day.”

“The best day,” he agreed. “I should dance with you more. I’m sorry I’m not good at romance.”

Her gaze softened, her hand squeezing his. “I’ll take what we have over flowery romance any day, Callum. This… us… is more than I ever dreamed of.”

His throat tightened, but he didn’t respond—he couldn’t. Instead, he pulled her closer, resting his cheek against her temple as they swayed. He wanted this moment to last forever, wanted to remember the feel of her in his arms, the life they’d built together, the promise of their future.

“Yes,” he murmured. “But tonight we romance. Tonight we dance.”

But then Sloane stiffened, her grip on his shoulder tightening. “Yeah. I don’t think that’s going to work for me. Sorry.”

She had every right to be pissed. “Angel, I promise I will do better. I know you don’t want romance, but I want to give it to you. I want?—”

“Callum.” She cut him off. “I think… my water just broke.”

For a moment, Callum froze, his brain struggling to process her words. Then a sentiment he hadn’t felt in five years…

Abject panic.

“Holy shit,” he finally said, stepping back to look at her. “Okay. Holy shit. Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure based on the puddle at my feet.”

How could she be so calm?

“Oh, hell.” He ran a hand through his hair, glancing around the room. “Okay, okay. We need to… we need to get to the hospital.”

Sloane wasn’t due for another two and a half weeks. Going into labor right now couldn’t be good. What if something was wrong? What if Sloane was in danger?

He remembered Dr. Annie was here. “Annie! We need you. Hurry, it’s an emergency!”

“Callum,” Sloane cut in. “I don’t think it’s an emerg?—”

Annie rushed over. “Everything okay?”

“No!” Callum knew he was yelling but he couldn’t help it. “Her water just broke. It’s too early!”

Annie smiled and looked at Sloane. “Any pain outside of normal labor stuff?”

Sloane shook her head. “Not even any contractions yet.”

Why were they both so calm?

“It’s too early!” he repeated.

Annie patted him on the arm. “She’s nearly thirty-eight weeks pregnant. It’s not too early. You’re daughter is just ready to get here. Sounds like we’ve got a third thing to celebrate today.”

Cheers broke out all around.

Zac’s laugh boomed across the room. “You gonna forget the way to the hospital like last time, Webb?”

“Remember? He had to call for directions when Graham was born,” Bear added, grinning.

“And almost left the bag in the driveway,” Theo said with a chuckle.

“Guys, not helping,” Callum snapped, his panic rising as he fumbled for his phone. “Sloane, where’s the car key? Did we park close enough?”

“Callum.” Her calm voice cut through his spiraling thoughts, and he stilled as she cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. “Breathe. We’re fine. We’re about to meet our daughter.”

The panic ebbed, replaced by a wave of love so powerful it nearly brought him to his knees. He covered her hands with his, staring into the blue eyes that had captivated him from the start. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

She smiled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “And you’re the one who’s going to get me to the hospital. Right?”

“Right,” he said, his voice steady now. He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips before turning to the others. “Sorry to cut the party short, but we’ve got somewhere to be.”

The room erupted into cheers and laughter as Callum led Sloane toward the door. Their friends’ teasing followed them, but he barely heard it over the rush of his heartbeat. His focus was on Sloane—on their daughter—and the life that awaited them as a family.

As he helped her into the car and slid behind the wheel, Sloane reached for his hand. “You okay?”

“Hell yeah.” He met her gaze, a grin tugging at his lips. “Let’s do this.”

And with that, they drove off into the night, ready to meet the next chapter of their forever.

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Thank you for reading HERO’S HEART. The Heroes of Oak Creek series continues with Joy and Bear’s story in HERO MINE .