“Okay.” He laughs. “Is Jacob awake?”
“Nope, still asleep.”
“I might be back before he wakes up. See you soon, baby.”
“Bye.” He ends the call and I realize I’m grinning. I might only have known Libby and Mason for just over a year, but we’ve become really close in that time, and I’m beyond happy for them. Glancing down at the phone in my hands, my fingers fly over the screen as I type out a message to Lib. I don’t expect a reply, knowing she will have her hands full with baby Annie, but I want her to know how happy I am for them. I’ve just pressed send when Claire walks into the kitchen.
“Aria, you’re up early, and you made coffee,” she exclaims, glancing behind me. “Just what I need after an early start.” She walks past me and gets down a mug before pouring herself a cup. She takes a sip of the hot liquid and looks around. “Everyone else still asleep?”
“Just Jacob. Everyone else is at the hospital,” I tell her with a smile.
She gasps. “Did Libby have the baby?” I nod, and she puts her coffee down and pulls me in for a hug. “Are they okay?”
“It was an emergency C-section in the end, but both are fine now. A girl. Annie Mia Walker.”
“I imagine Emma is beside herself with excitement. I remember walking on air when Savannah had Hope. It will be so nice to have another little one on the ranch.” Picking up her coffee, she drinks down another mouthful. “I’d better get back to the guest accommodations. I’ve left Ryan with a leaking faucet.”
“As soon as Jack is back, I’ll tend to the horses. I know you’ll be a ranch hand down now that Mason isn’t around.”
She shakes her head before putting her mug down on the counter. “We had someone on standby to help out from the neighboring ranch. Ryan spoke to him yesterday when Libby went into labor. He’s coming this morning, so don’t worry about the horses. We’ve got it covered if you need to help out here.”
“I’ll be in the stables once Jack’s back to watch Jacob,” I assure her. I don’t want to take advantage just because I’m dating her nephew. She smiles and nods.
“Okay. I’ll be back later to say hi to everyone.” She raises her hand in a wave as she leaves the kitchen, and I hear the front door open and close. Pouring myself another cup of coffee, I carry it into the den and curl up on the sofa while I wait for Jack to get back. Despite not being able to sleep earlier, I now find I can’t keep my eyes open as I sink onto the comfortable sofa. Placing my mug on the table in front of me, I drop my head back and close my eyes.
“Aria.” I hear my name being called, but it sounds muffled and distant, and I don’t want to open my eyes. “Aria, baby.” Fingers stroke my cheek, and I sigh as I force my eyes open, smiling when I see Jack kneeling on the floor next to the sofa. “Hey, sleepyhead. Sorry to wake you.” I sit up and stretch my arms above my head.
“That’s okay. I should get to work now that you’re home anyway. What time are you heading back to the hospital?”
“Around three.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure I’m ready. Did you get any pictures of Annie?” He laughs and pulls out his phone. His fingers move over the screen before he turns it around in his hand. I gasp and take the phone from him, gazing at the picture in front of me.
“Oh, she’s beautiful, Jack, and so tiny. What did she weigh?” I tear my eyes from the phone and look at his blank face. “You didn’t ask, did you?” I say with a laugh, and he shakes his head.
“I’m sure Lib will fill you in on all the details later. She is tiny though. Smaller than I remember Jacob being.”
“I’m so happy for them.”
“Me too,” he whispers as he stands and pulls me off the sofa and into his arms. His mouth finds mine and I’m soon lost in his kisses. Someone clearing their throat behind me pulls us both back to reality as Jack pulls out of the kiss and looks over my shoulder.
“Sorry to interrupt. Jacob’s awake,” Emma says, and I drop my forehead onto Jack’s chest, embarrassed to have been caught making out by his mom.
“Thanks, Mum. I’ll go and get him.”
“Your dad’s gone up to him.” Stepping out of Jack’s embrace, I turn and smile at Emma.
“Congratulations, Emma. Annie is beautiful.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. I’m just so glad they are both okay.”
“Me too.” She smiles at me, and I smile back. “I should get to work.” I turn to Jack and press a kiss to his cheek. “See you later.”
“Bye, baby.”
I leave Jack and Emma in the den and make my way outside and across to the stables. Pushing open the huge wooden doors, I can hear voices coming from the tack room. As I make my way past the stalls, I see they are all empty, the horses seemingly already in the exercise area. I put my head around the tack room door, and Ryan smiles as he sees me.
“Aria, come in. I’d like you to meet Elijah. He’s helping out while Mason’s off.”