Page 46 of Rocky Mountain Home

The door closed. Dare fumbled to get upright for a moment before Jesse was there, his strong hand steadying her as she swung her legs to the side of the table.

He blocked her way, staring down at her belly as if she might explode at any time.

“Jesse?”

He blinked then glanced up, smile returning. “Heck of a thing, growing babies.”

He had that right. “Heck of a thing,” she agreed.

Chapter Eight

Blog post: Babies Grow in Bellies

Yes, I know, not a new development, but it really is a pretty odd concept when you come right down to it. This extra person is taking up room alongside my heart, lungs and other internal organs. Buckaroo has a heart (heard it!) and lungs and all those internal organs as well, which means right now I have two hearts.

So to speak.

Logically, this means I also have two brains, but the effects of this are dismal. I found my missing phone in the fridge on the shelf next to the milk this morning. Baby brain does not mean Mama is suddenly twice as smart. I am twice as hungry, though. This concept bears consideration, yes?

What would you like to suddenly be twice as good at, if having two means 2x as good? Thinking, eating, loving?

Dare settled back into a routine for the next couple days. Jesse had left quickly after dropping her back off at the ranch, but he’d been texting on a regular basis, so she guessed the prenatal visit hadn’t scared him off completely.

She went for an easy ride Monday morning, the fresh summer breeze playing over her as she and Baby took their time rounding the lake.

Her phone buzzed, and she grabbed it.

Jesse: the fridge, eh?

Dare: shut up

Jesse: told you you’d find it

Dare: you did. What’re you doing today?

Jesse: moving herds. Roping, yeehaw-ing. Tough cowboy stuff

Dare: I bet Morgan’s in his glory

Jesse: yup. Dog heaven, chasing cattle. What’re you up to?

Dare: riding for a bit. Going to help Ginny with the CSA boxes today.

Jesse: you be careful riding

Dare: yes, mom

Jesse: I mean it. I don’t know Baby. Does she spook easy?

Dare: she’s bombproof. Relax. Ginny’s the one you should warn to take it easy on me

Jesse: okay. What’s her number?

She laughed out loud before texting back: I was kidding

Jesse: I’m not. I just realized I have no way to get hold of you if something happens. Send me Ginny’s #. And Caleb’s & Luke’s. Hell, send me the broody kid’s as well

Dare: you’re being silly