Quickly scooping up her baby, Lincoln moved like an expert and was soon feeding the once-sleeping princess, who had quickly morphed into a little monster.
“Wow, she’s going to town on your boob,” I said.
“She needs her diaper changed as well.”
I crinkled my nose. “And why are you looking at me?”
Before she had a chance to reply, my phone rang. I looked down to see it was Ty. I knew he was out in the fields today, plowing and planting hay.
“Hey, how’s it going?”
“Hey.”
I instantly heard it in his voice. I sat up taller and forced my breathing to keep steady. “Everything okay?” I asked, attempting to sound casual.
“Katy’s here.”
The shocked look on my face made Lincoln take notice.
“As in, there at the ranch?”
“Yes.”
I swallowed hard. “I didn’t know you’d told her where you lived.”
“Um, yeah. It seemed like the right thing to do.”
Nodding, I replied, “Sure, yes.”
“Do you think you could come back to the ranch?”
“Of course. I’m on my way right now. Lincoln and I just finished up lunch, so I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Be careful, Kaylee.”
“I will. Um . . . see you in a bit.”
I had almost said “I love you,” but for some reason, I stopped myself.
I hit end and stared at my phone until Lincoln’s voice pulled me out of my daze.
“Do you want me to drive you home? Ty can bring you back to get your car.”
Forcing a smile, I replied, “Nah, it’s fine. Do you need help with Morgan?”
“Nope. We’re fine. You go.”
When I stood, it felt like the ground was rolling underneath me. I was more nervous than I realized. Leaning down, I kissed Morgan first and then hugged Lincoln.
“See ya later.”
She smiled. “Call me. And if you need me there, please let me know.”
With the practiced smile I had mastered after John’s death, I tossed my purse over my shoulder. “I will. Love ya!”
And with that, I rushed out of the little café and to my car. I didn’t even remember the drive back to the ranch. My mind was so unfocused; I honestly couldn’t believe I made it there safely. I drove straight to the main house, since Ty had sent me a text saying he was with his parents and Katy.
I could only imagine what was racing through Stella’s and Ty Senior’s minds. They could possibly have another grandbaby. One who was sick.
By the time I pulled up, I had my shit together. No matter what happened, I would be there for Ty because I loved him. I had no idea if this would put our relationship into a tailspin or maybe make him pull away more. But if he thought for one moment I was struggling, he’d think it was his fault.
Then I reminded myself about our talk in the hotel room, and I knew we were going to be okay.
We had to be okay. We had to.
Ty was standing on the front porch when I pulled up and parked behind a black Dodge truck. I assumed it belonged to Katy.
I got out and smiled as I walked up the steps. Ty gave me a once-over and then pulled me into his arms. “Before we go in there, I need to tell you something.”
My heart jumped to my throat. Oh, God. Katy had already told him.
“Okay,” I said, my voice sounding so much weaker than I wanted it to.
“I love you.”
I stared at him. Had I just heard him say what I thought he’d said?
“I love you, Kaylee. You are the woman I didn’t know I was praying for until you showed up in my life. There is not a single doubt in my mind that from the moment I first met you, I knew you were unlike any woman I had ever met, or would ever meet. You’re the woman who made me see that I was worth loving. You brought me out of the darkness and into a light so fucking bright with possibility that it makes me excited for the future. For our future. I want to marry you, have as many kids as you want, and spend every moment of my life showing you how much you mean to me. You are my everything.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I attempted not to fall to the ground in a crying mess. Ty reached up and cupped my face. He brushed the endless tears away with his thumbs.
“I wanted you to know that before we found out.”
“You don’t know yet?” I asked, sniffling.
He shook his head. “I wanted to wait for you. Katy did as well.”
“Oh, okay.”
“No matter what, it’s you and me, right?”
I saw the worry in his eyes. Placing my hands over his, which were still on my face, I smiled. “Forever and always, you and me, Ty.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
KAYLEE
Ty laced his fingers with mine as we walked into the house. It took me a few moments to get myself put back together after Ty’s declaration of love. My heart still raced, but it was no longer from nerves. I knew that no matter what happened, it was going to be okay. We were going to be okay.