Page 13 of Sweet Escape (Whispering Oaks Ranch #1)

“When everything happened with Jake, I must’ve forgotten about my pills. I… I’m sorry,” I say.

“Liv. Please stop apologizing.”

“You’re not mad?”

“No. I’m not mad. We were both there—we’re both equally responsible for what happened.” He hands me back the ultrasound.

“You keep it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

A silence descends between us as he searches my face. “Are you happy?” he asks.

The simple question knocks me off my axis. I was prepared for more of a fight, or to be kicked off the ranch, something much more dramatic than this calm, collected man before me. It takes me a moment to recover enough to give my honest answer.

“I am. It’s not something I expected, or even planned, but I’ve always wanted to be a mom.” When I look down at the silhouette of the tiny human growing inside me on the small slip of paper held in his strong hand, I know I mean it with every fiber of my being.

Wilder

Olivia is pregnant.

Olivia is pregnant, and it’s mine.

Before I can reconsider, I pull her into my arms, doing the one thing I’ve wanted to do since the second I saw her at the diner. She comes willingly, relaxing into my hold. I turn my face to her hair and inhale that familiar vanilla scent .

It’s not enough; I want more of her. It was a mistake to push her away all those weeks ago; I see that now. It’s clear she’s still grappling with the news and everything that came before, so I won’t pressure her. I can be patient.

“Does that mean no trail ride?” I ask, wondering if I need to course correct our plans for the day. I want nothing more than to show Olivia my home and make good on my promise to take her riding, but not if it’s unsafe for her and the baby.

Our baby.

“Well… not exactly. My doctor gave me the green light to ride up until my second trimester. Short distances and I have to have someone riding with me.” She bites down on her bottom lip as if she thinks I'm about to deny her. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Let me get this straight. You’re pregnant with my baby, and the only way you can ride is if I wrap myself around you?”

“That about sums it up.”

“Fuck me. How’d I get so lucky?”

She giggles, and the sound still affects me, even after our time apart. There’s still this undeniable pull I can’t quite explain.

She has this way about her that sets me at ease.

It’s almost like I’ve been holding my breath, waiting for the grief to pass.

Being with Olivia feels like finally coming up for air.

The pain is stillthere, but with her, it’s bearable.

I can’t make sense of it, or maybe I don’t want to.

For the first time in a long while, I feel alive.

“Come on, Cupcake. Storm is waiting for us.”

I take her hand, lacing our fingers as I tug her down the well-worn path that leads back to the big barn. Storm whinnies, and her ears perk up as we round the bend.

“Can I pet her?”Olivia asks.

I hold out our joined hands for Storm to sniff. She immediately lowers her head and gives Olivia a playful nuzzle, signaling her approval. I place Olivia’s hand on Storm’s neck, keeping hold of the reins in case something goes wrong.

Olivia smiles softly as she makes long strokes over her glossy coat, but Storm isn’t having it. She wants more affection, attempting to shove her nose into Olivia’s hair. Storm isn’t usually this demanding. She has a quiet temperament, and she’s easily influenced by treats.

Watching the interaction closely, I reach into my pocket, pulling out a peppermint. “Here. Try this.”

I place the treat into her outstretched hand and help her offer it to Storm as a placating gesture. Olivia’s face lights up and she releases a peal of laughter as Storm’s lips tickle her palm.

She continues to stroke Storm’s neck, and Storm rests her chin on her shoulder in what can only be described as an attempt at a hug.

“I think I’m in love,” she says, her bottom lip jutting out as she rests a hand over her heart.

I think I’m jealous.

“She likes you.”

She laughs. “I bet she likes everyone.”

“True, but not like this,” I say. “She’s never this desperate for attention.” I think Storm is feeling the same connection to Olivia that’s been plaguing me for weeks. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one; there’s something special about this woman. “Ready for that ride?”

She nods and does a little shimmy with her shoulders.

The move is so cute, I can’t help but smile.

I find myself doing a lot more of that when Olivia is around—smiling.

I gesture for her to take a step back, then walk over to the barn to grab the mounting block.

Normally, I’d just help her up myself, but I’m being extra cautious.

“Put your left foot in the stirrup, then hold on right here and swing your leg over.”

She goes through the motions as I talk her through each step, and once she’s safely in the saddle, I climb up behind her, caging her between my arms.

“We’ll take it slow,” I say. “Just a short ride up the trail and back. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, let me know.”

On my signal, Storm starts forward, jostling Olivia’s ass against my lap. I stifle a groan, willing my dick to settle the fuck down. It’ll be hell if I have to ride with an erection tenting my jeans, but hard seems to be my default setting when Olivia’s around.

She scans her surroundings as we meander down the path, taking in the scenery.

I wish I could see her face as she looks out over the place I get to call home.

I guide her around the outside of the west pasture, the tree line leading to the waterfall on our left, the horses grazing beyond the fence on our right.

“What do you think?” I ask, examining the trail ahead of me more intently than necessary.

“This is amazing. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel being so high off the ground, but it’s almost like flying. I wish we could go faster.”

I slide one hand over her soft belly, leaning in next to her ear. “Someday, when you’re not carrying precious cargo, I’ll take you on a real ride.”

The words slip off my tongue, promising a future with this woman. It should terrify me, but even if all we ever have is friendship, I’ll hold on to it with both hands.

“I’ll hold you to that.” I can hear the smile in her voice; picture it in my head—the way her blue eyes sparkle, her teeth digging into her plump bottom lip ever so slightly.

When we reach the end of the fence line, I turn back the way we came. As much as I want to prolong this experience, both Olivia and Storm will be needing a rest soon .

Once we’re back at the barn, I help her dismount safely, then lead Storm to her stall, keeping my hand on Olivia’s lower back as I guide her along with me.

Griffin is mucking out Cooper’s stall, and he offers to take care of Storm while Liv and I carry on with our day.

Reluctant to leave Storm’s side, Olivia gives her one last gentle pat before following me back outside.

“Thank you, Wilder. I’m really glad I got the chance to experience that before it was too late.” She pops onto her tiptoes to give me a hug, and I wrap my arms around her back, feeling her soft body melt into mine for an all too brief embrace.

“Me too. You’re more than welcome to come out here and visit with her whenever you want. I’m sure Storm would love the company. Especially if you bring treats.”

“I’d love that. Should we go somewhere to plan this party now?”

“We can head to the big house and take Mama up on that snack. She might have some valuable insight, too.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Emmy Lou’s sweet laughter floats through the open windows as Olivia and I make our way to the big house. When we step inside, Mama’s chasing Emmy around the living room. How did I ever live without this?

I waited more than two years after Jess died before conceding that I needed help and agreeing to move back home. It was the most difficult time of my life, but Colorado held all of my best memories with her, and it felt like I would be leaving her behind .

We bypass my family, and Olivia follows me into the kitchen.

I motion for her to take a seat at the island. “Can I get you something to drink? A cookie, maybe?”

“I’ve never said no to a cookie before; I’m not about to start now. And water would be great.”

I slide a plate across the countertop along with a bottle of water, then lean my elbows on the surface across from her as she takes a bite of Mama’s famous chocolate chip cookies.

Her eyes widen. “These are amazing! I need to know her secret.”

“Good luck with that. She’s tight-lipped about her recipe.”

“Then I’m going to make it my mission to replicate it.” She savors the next bite with a contented hum as she closes her eyes. The sight is damn near erotic, and I find myself having to discreetly adjust myself in my jeans.

“Ok. I have some ideas for a theme, but you can totally tell me if you hate it. I won’t be offended.” She opens up the photo app on her phone, tapping into an album with a mood board before holding it out for me.

Across the top of the moodboard it says: ‘This ain’t my first rodeo. It’s my third.’ The screen is full of pink cowboy hats, disco balls, cow print, and western decor. It’s Emmy in a nutshell.

“This is incredible. You did all of this yourself?”

She nods, and a slight blush creeps across her cheeks. It didn’t take long to figure out that Olivia likes praise. It’s a visible reminder of the other times I’ve seen that same color, and I wonder how far down it goes. If she notices where my thoughts have strayed, she doesn’t call me on it.

“If the weather’s nice, you could have pony rides for the kids. And I was thinking something like this for the cupcakes.” She swipes over to a photo of roughly two dozen cupcakes intricately frosted in shades of pink with tiny cowboy boot toppers, interspersed with others done in cow print.

An hour passes, then another, and by the time we’re done, we have an entire party planned down to the last disco ball. Given months to plan, I couldn’t have accomplished even a fraction of what Livie came up with in the span of twenty-four hours. I’m endlessly impressed by this woman.

The sun is just starting to dip below the horizon as I step out onto the porch with the intention of walking Olivia to her car. I’m stopped dead in my tracks when she pauses on the gravel drive, her delicate profile highlighted by the warm glow of the setting sun.

Knowing what I know now—knowing we are inextricably linked—it feels like fate, or something bigger than that. It feels like a gift.

Hope and longing are buried beneath a level of guilt that’s hard to overcome.

The loss still lingers, waxing and waning with each day that passes.

The only thing keeping me from falling apart is Emmy Lou—the need to keep her safe and fill her life with the love she would’ve had if her mother hadn’t been so tragically stolen from her. From us .

Now she’s going to be a big sister, and I find myself wanting that more than anything.

I want her to know what it’s like to have a big, messy family.

My brothers and sister are such a fundamental part of my life, but when I lost Jess, I lost the hope of ever having more kids.

I convinced myself it would just be me and Emmy from here on out, and I was okay with that.

So, how do I reconcile the past with the future that’s staring me in the face?

Olivia is in my life now; she’s giving me a second chance.

I won’t take it for granted, but deep down, I know I won’t be enough for her.

I can’t give her what she needs—what she deserves. I can’t love her. But can I let her go?

When she makes a move to leave, I snag her by the wrist, whirling her around to face me. Her hands rest on my chest, and she tilts her head so we’re eye-to-eye. “We didn’t really talk about the baby, but I want to be very clear about something.”

Her rose-petal lips part, but I hold up a finger to silence her.

“I want this, Liv. I want our baby.”

There’s a slight hitch in her breath before she says, “But?”

“No buts. I’m all in. Never doubt that for a second, alright?”

Her hands drop, and I instantly miss the contact.

She takes a short step back, fidgeting with her ring.

“I’d like us to get to know each other better.

As friends, I mean.” Her lips tip into a smirk, and she lets out a soft laugh, her shoulders shaking slightly.

“It sounds so silly out loud. I guess we skipped a few steps, huh?”

I shrug, sliding my hands into my pockets.

“So, we’re doing things a little out of order.

There’s no rule saying we can’t backtrack.

We have nine months to catch up. As soon as Mama finds out, you’re going to be required to attend weekly family dinners, and you’ll be an honorary member of the Hayes family in no time. ”

Her smile falters. It’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed any kind of indecision coming from her. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to keep it between us. Just until the second trimester, which is only four weeks away since I found out a bit late.”

“Whatever you need. I’ll follow your lead.”

She glances at the gravel driveway, kicking up dirt with her shoes. “I’m not sure how much you know about my family, but my dad has some history with Russell. He’s a good man, and I don’t know what exactly happened between them, but this might not go over well whenever we come clean.”

Unable to resist, I take a tentative step in her direction and lift her chin. “Whatever happens, we’re in this together. ”

Her posture relaxes as my words settle between us. “I should get going.”

“Text me when you’ve made it home safely.”

She nods, turning and striding toward her car, the modest vehicle doing nothing to reassure me of her safety.

It’s a war against my own instincts to let her leave, and as she backs out of the drive with the last light of the day rapidly disappearing, my entire being implores me to follow her, to make sure she gets there in one piece.

I focus on my breathing. Inhale, exhale.

It does nothing to chip away at the awful feeling clawing at my chest, so I stride over to my truck and put it in drive.

My headlights illuminate the darkness all the way to the diner, where I slow down to pass the green car already parked in its spot.

I circle Main Street and pull up across the road, glancing up at the sliver of light peeking through the curtains in the window above the diner.

My phone vibrates on the console.

Cupcake: I’m home. Goodnight :)

Minutes pass, and when the light clicks off, I give myself permission to head home.

She’s safe. They’re safe.