Love's Embers (Canon City Series) (21 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Four years later

Charlie held up his cards. “I declare war,” he said and put down two of the cards. He held the third card and grinned at Lark.

They put their cards down at the same time. She had a two of hearts and he a king of clubs. He picked up all the cards.

“Hey, wait a minute. I think you stacked the deck,” Lark said.

Charlie threw the cards aside, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her between his legs. He tickled her ribs and she laughed.

They’d ridden Fox out to a field for a picnic. It was a lovely location behind the Bickens’s ranch. It was May and Lark wanted to see the wildflowers in bloom. Breaker was playing with Fox, both animals bounced around the field. The Larkspur, Columbine and Foxglove were in full bloom and the field was a rainbow of colors.

“Okay, okay, I give. Uncle,” Lark said. She still laughed and was out of breath.

Charlie wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. She hugged him back and looked up at the sky.

“What a gorgeous day. We really got lucky.” She leaned against his chest.

“Every day with you is gorgeous, Mrs. Doctor Stone.”

“I’m so glad Ryan called with the news about those charges finally being dropped. It only took four years, but, hey, I won’t complain.”

Charlie chuckled. “I think it’s hilarious that it took Thomas so long to realize he didn’t have a leg to stand on. It makes me wonder what Sheriff Bennett said during his deposition. My only regret is that I didn’t get to knock a couple of his teeth out.”

“No regrets, sweetie,” she said and held onto his arms. “I’m sure the sheriff told the truth and spoke very highly about your behavior that night. Thomas was very rude and I think it’s really hilarious that the list of the members of his club got released to the local paper. I’m sure he has some clients who aren’t very happy with all that publicity.”

“Do you still want to go and burn the mansion down?” he asked and tightened his hold around her.

“Naw, it’s closed. That’s all that matters.” She twisted around and kissed his lips. “That reminds me.” She turned all the way around in his arms to face him. “I have another graduation gift for you.”

“Sweetheart, the red Bronco must have cost you a pretty penny.”

Lark frowned. “Well, I can’t return this one. Lord, it hasn’t even arrived and I have to return it? That’s just not fair and I don’t think I can do that.”

Charlie felt his brows come together. “What is it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Lou, what do you mean you don’t know? You ordered it, didn’t you?”

She bit her lip. “I didn’t really order it, but I can’t return it.”

Charlie tilted his head. “Are you teasing me?”

“Not at all, my darling.” She started to laugh. “It will arrive in six months.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Honey, are you pregnant?”

“What if I am?” She grinned and leaned over to kiss him. “Will you still keep me?”

Charlie lost his voice and looked at her with his brows still creased. “Really?” he finally whispered.

“Yes, really.”

He put his hand up on her cheek and felt tears form in his eyes. “Yes, I’ll keep you. I can’t survive without you, babe.” He sniffed and cleared his throat. “Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”

“Not yet. I’ll have an ultrasound when I’m nineteen weeks. I want him to look like you.” She held his hand to her cheek. “He will be tall with incredible blue eyes and knock out all the girls.”

“She might look like you.”

“No, I want a junior Ducky running around and saving us from alien invaders, just like his daddy did when we were young. We have a few weeks to decide if we want to know ahead of time or wait for the big surprise on delivery day.”

“Have you told Gran?”

“Not yet, you had to be the first to know. I thought we could tell her tonight at dinner.”

“That sounds good.” Charlie stretched out flat on his back and pulled her down with him. “You’re going to cut your hours at the women’s center, right?”

“Ducky, are you going to get bossy?” She put her chin on his chest.

“No, I just want you to take it easy. I know how you are when you’re either volunteering or working at the warehouse. I want you to put your feet up and let me suck your toes.” He smiled.

“Okay, I’ll admit I agree with you. I need to learn how to sit still.” She propped up on her arm and looked down at him. “We’ll need to put a nursery together and start buying diapers and stuff like that.”

“And, I need to get a job. My externship will only last about six months. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t want you to be distracted when you were studying for your boards. I’m twelve weeks and only found out a month ago, but it’s been hard to keep my trap shut.”

“When are you due to pop?”

Lark laughed. “Pop? That makes me sound like a toaster. The doctor thinks sometime in December, but we won’t know for certain until they do the ultrasound.” She played with the buttons on his shirt.

Charlie put his hand behind his head and watched her fingers. “Sweetheart, do you think that is a good idea?” She moved her hand into his shirt and felt his chest.

“The doctor said I could participate in love-making until I didn’t feel up to it. And, knowing me, I’m going to feel up to it for the whole pregnancy. My hormones have made me extremely horny.”

He sat up and kissed her lips. “That wasn’t what I was talking about. We’re only about two hundred yards from the Bickens back door and you know how easy it is for me to be turned on.”

“Dang, you’re right. Maybe we should head home. I’m feeling awfully warm out here.” She moved her hand to the front of his pants and cupped his twitching shaft. “And, I almost forgot about your serious illness. I’ll just have to take care of it, won’t I?”

Charlie leaned over and put his lips lightly on hers. “I love you, Lou.”

She reached up and ran her hand through his hair. “I love you, too.”

He started to lean back in to give her another, longer kiss, when a wet, sloppy tongue started licking the side of his face. “Ah, Breaker.” He put his hand in front of the wolf. “I thought we talked about this. When your mom and I are mashing our faces together, you need to hold back and sit down.”

Breaker sat down with a smile on his muzzle and woofed at them. 

If you or anyone you know needs assistance from domestic abuse or sexual assault, please contact:

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE

About the Author Lauren Marie

Lauren Marie lives with her four cats in Western Washington State. Although, she has been focusing her current efforts in the paranormal romance, time-travel and reincarnation genres, she is currently working on continuing the Canon City Series.

When she isn’t pounding the keys, she is an amateur paranormal investigator. She formed her own group in 2006 to hunt ghosts and some unusual experiences have put in an appearance in some of her stories.

Lauren likes to receive feedback. If you want to send her likes and dislikes, you can go to the contact us page on the web-site laurenmariebooks.com or write to her at laurenmariebooks@ hotmail.com, [email protected]. or friend her atfacebook.com/laurenmariebooks.

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