Page 17 of Home for Nathan (Secret Springs)

N athan was putting the last few rows of yarn into a rug when he heard Zion pull up out in the yard.

He loved his little yurt workshop. It was cozy, snug as a bug in the winter, with its little gas log, and cool in the summer thanks to the evap air unit.

He had looms, tools, and airtight storage for his working yarn and fiber.

The rest of it had its own room in the house that was easier to keep the moths and such out of.

Zion had run into town to pick up a few things for their anniversary supper, and he grinned, anticipating how amazing it would be.

His folks were watching Rachel until tomorrow, and while he missed her like a sore tooth already after only a few hours, he was thrilled to have just adult time tonight.

“Hey, babe! I’m back! I’ll start supper,” Zion called.

“Okay! Almost done!” He could cast off the loom tomorrow before Rachel’s birthday party, which was going to be a much bigger deal than their anniversary. At least to their families.

His folks were living in a tiny town nearby now called Hot Springs Junction. Zion’s family had come down for Thanksgiving and were staying until after the birthday party. They were in town at the Grand Springs hotel tonight as a treat.

All in all, life was amazing.

And he had some news for his husband.

He wove in the last row, glancing at Torah, who had stayed with him even though her human had come home. “You’re a good girl, you know that? Come on, you.” He headed for the house, and the door to the kitchen opened as he got there.

Zion had not opened it. Their ghost was at play again, her rose perfume on the air.

“Thanks, hon. Now shoo. This is a private evening.”

He thought he heard a light giggle, but then the wind blew the door shut behind him, and that was that.

“Hey!” Zion bustled over to kiss him. “I got lasagna from Dave’s, a half and half salad, some fruit when I stopped by the Sundrop, and an Italian cream cake from Dan and Matteo.”

“Oh, wow. That sounds amazing.”

“Right? The big sheet cake for Rachel’s party, and the rainbow cloud cake to go on top is so damn cute.”

“Let me see?” He went to the big butler’s pantry to peek at the cake, which was also from Whips and Cupcakes, Dan and Matteo’s bakery in downtown Secret Springs. “Oh my God, so cute.”

“I know! I love that Charlie got us in at the hotel for that.”

“Yeah, that way your folks can just come down at will.”

“Yep.” Zion grabbed him and danced him around the kitchen, that snowboarder body always full of pent-up energy. “I love you. Happy anniversary.”

“Happy anniversary!” He smacked a kiss on Zion’s mouth. “I love you too. Oh! And I want you to open your present before we eat and all.”

“Okay?” Zion raised one dark blond eyebrow. “Is it bad? Ow!” Zion winced when Nathan pinched his nipple.

“No! It’s good. I hope.” He handed Zion a box from his sweater pocket, the kind one put a bracelet in, long and flat.

“Okay.” Zion took the box, peeling off the lid gingerly and staring at what lay on the puffy lining. Nathan held his breath, hoping Zion got it.

Zion’s hazel eyes went round. “You’re pregnant? It’s a positive pregnancy test, right? Holy shit!”

“Yeah. I am.” He beamed at Zion, his heart pounding.

“Babe!” Zion lifted him and swung him around. “We’re going to be dads! Again!”

“We are. Umph.” Zion kissed him like crazy, and he laughed for sheer joy. He knew Zion loved Rachel as his own, so he never had to worry that this baby would make Rachel lose affection, so he was over the moon.

“I love you so much, babe,” Zion told him. “You’ve given me everything.”

He reached up to touch Zion’s cheek. “And you’ve given me a home. That makes us even.”

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