Page 42 of Legends: Easton (Legends of Fire Creek #3)

One month later…

The evening had been magical. Fairy lights shone whimsically from the tree limbs. Water rippled from the pond on the edge of Whitman’s outdoor dining area. Music filtered through strategically placed speakers. And the bride and groom swayed on the grass while friends and family looked on.

Bailee smiled, amazed at how teary-eyed she felt. Weddings had never been emotional events for her, but this one had hit her strong. She never expected to be asked to stand with Melody as she wed Luke, but she was enthusiastic in her acceptance.

Spending the last two months getting to know her, Reagan, and the rest of Easton’s family had been special. She loved how they included her as if she’d been a part of their family for years.

She felt Easton step up behind her before his arms encircled her waist. She placed her hands on top of his where they settled on her stomach. Leaning back against him, she rested her head on his shoulder, contentment warming her heart.

“Wanna dance?” he asked her.

A few guests were already moving with the music, including Ben who danced with Melody’s sister Lyric. Bailee shook her head and then turned in Easton’s arms, so she could stare into his face.

“As tempting as it is to dance with your body close and your eyes around me, I think I’d rather sit down. I want to pull these heels off my aching feet.”

Easton chuckled. “You got it.”

He dropped a kiss to her lips. What started as a sweet kiss turned passionate quickly. When Easton’s hands started running up her side heading for her breasts, Bailee broke the contact and placed her hands on top of his to stop their exploration.

“Wrong time. Wrong place. Save all that passion for later,” she teased.

She expected his charming smile and a saucy comment. He caught her off guard with his sudden seriousness, his eyes darkening with something she couldn’t decipher. He pulled her body even closer, his hold on her tightening.

“I love you, you know.”

She blinked, struck dumb by his admission.

Then she realized what she saw in his eyes supported what he said.

They’d been skirting around their feelings for each other for the last month, hiding behind their lighthearted catchphrase “I think I love you.” She’d known the truth of her feelings for a while.

Easton was easy to love, so she wasn’t surprised she’d fallen for him.

To know he returned her feelings didn’t shock her as much as him being the first to admit it.

“No think?” she asked hesitantly.

He shook his head, that one lock of hair falling to his forehead again. “No think this time. I know I love you, Bailee. No doubt about it.”

Her hand rested against his cheek. His five-o’clock shadow tickled her palm. Her heart swelled, and the tears she’d holding back all day started to leak from her eyes.

“We love you too.”

He wiped away her tears before her words registered with him. “We?”

Her smile was serene as she nodded. “We.”

This wasn’t the way she pictured sharing the news with him, but the moment felt right. She didn’t, however, want to steal the limelight from Luke and Melody, so when she saw Easton’s eyes widened and his mouth open, she clamped a hand over his lips to stop what she assumed would be a shout.

“Wrong time. Wrong place. Remember?”

His brow furrowed, and she grinned at his obvious frustration. “I know. But let’s have our own celebration later, just the two of us, before we tell the rest of the family. I rather like the idea of having a secret that belongs to just us.”

He nodded, and she removed her hand from his mouth.

“You mean, a celebration for the three of us, don’t you?”

She giggled. “Okay. Yes, for the three of us.”

Easton stared at her in wonder. “When? How long?”

“Well, I’m not sure exactly, but I have a theory.

Remember when you surprised me in Louisville, after you were discharged from the hospital?

I think one of those times when we had hot monkey sex probably knocked me up.

I started suspecting a couple of days ago and took a home pregnancy test. I have a doctor’s appointment to confirm next week. ”

He grinned. “Hot monkey sex? Really?”

She shrugged. “Adequate description, don’t you think?”

He kissed her again, this time keeping the contact brief. “I can’t believe how happy I am right now. You realize you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted, right?”

“Then we’re even, because you’ve given me everything I never knew I wanted. I love you.”

“I love you. How are you feeling? Everything okay?”

“I’m tired. My feet hurt, but other than that, everything’s good.”

“Damn,” Easton drawled. “I didn’t think I could be much happier than I already was, but you managed to top it. How do you do it?”

She smirked, her eyes raking over his body from head to toe and back. “I think I had a little help.”

His eyes smoldered with desire, and she laughed. “Down, boy. Come on. Let’s go sit with your family and give my feet a rest. Remember, don’t say a word. This is Luke and Melody’s day.”

Easton winked. “It’ll be hard, but I think I can manage.”

They made it over to a table where Jackson and Reagan sat with English.

They welcomed Easton and Bailee to join them in watching the couples dance.

Ben had changed partners and was now swinging Becky around the grassy dance floor.

Lyric was showing a few moves to Davis, the son of Whitman’s owner Annilee.

Bailee laughed to see Darby Anne walk up to Ben and Becky and become their third partner for the dance. It was awkward and made everyone laugh, but no one minded. Everything was as it should be.

“Word is you’re about to be employed again,” Jackson said, drawing Bailee’s attention.

Bailee nodded. “You heard right. I’ll be the newest member of Atlas Security. The best part is that I’ll be close to Gran and Easton since I’ll work remotely from here in Fire Creek.”

“Congratulations. So I guess that means will be having another wedding to look forward to soon,” Reagan said, keeping one eye on her ring bearer son as he scoped out the pond to catch any frogs he might spot. Fortunately, Annilee stood with Jax to keep the child from toppling over into the water.

“I know which wedding it should be,” Bailee said cryptically. Her eyes traveled up to Easton and then shifted to English. “It's one that’s well past due.”

English frowned as all eyes focused on him. “Why are you looking at me?” he grumbled.

“Let it go, Bai,” Easton warned.

Bailee figured she’d go for broke. When English realized she was carrying another grandchild, he would hopefully forgive her for overstepping.

“We’re looking at you because we’re all ready for you to get off your ass and make an honest woman out of Becky.” Bailee’s tone was soft, taking any heat from her words.

“It’s not like that for us.”

“It could be, Dad,” Reagan joined in. “You love her. I’m pretty sure she loves you. Marriage didn’t work out for you the first time, but things are different. You’re different.”

English seemed at a loss for words, so Bailee decided to let him off the hook.

“Just think about it, but don’t take too long. Becky deserves more than to be left wondering,” Bailee said.

Reagan sighed and smiled. “Besides, it’s time our kids got a grandma to go with their grandpa.”

“Kids?” English all but shouted, staring wide-eyed at his daughter. “Is there something you should be telling me, Ray?”

“Just making an observation, that’s all.”

Reagan caught Bailee’s eye and gave a quick wink, and Bailee understood. Reagan had already guessed about her pregnancy and wanted to let her know without spoiling the secret. Bailee smiled and leaned against Easton as she turned her attention back to the wedding reception.

One thing was for sure. Being a part of this family and being involved with a Legend was going to be fun.