Page 53 of Bryson

Taking her cup of coffee with her, Barbara sat next to her daughter-in-law. She was aware that the woman was still suspicious of her and approached her with caution. She wanted to be friends with the woman who had changed her son's life for the better but realized it was going to take time.

"Your husband is strong and smart, and he knows the land like the back of his hand." A smile played around her firm lips. "He has been out there since he was a boy." She started to reach out a hand to Julianne but thought better of it. They had not gotten to the physical stage yet, and she wondered if that would ever be the case. It was her fault, and she was prepared to wait. "He also has two reasons to come back home safely. You and that baby you're carrying."

"Three," Julianne murmured, feeling reassured by the woman's confidence.

"I beg your pardon?"

Julianne reached out to touch the woman's arm lightly. "You're forgetting yourself. He has three reasons to come home to us safely. Failing that, I promise to bodily go out there to get him if he's not back in time for supper."

Barbara sent her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Rubbing her belly, she started to rise. "I think I can eat now."

"Please allow me," Barbara insisted, pressing her back down.

He stumbled in almost at midnight, frozen and tired to the bone. He had made sure to check in at intervals during the very long day and night to let them know that he was all right, but there was just too much to do. The kitchen was kept busy providing hot meals throughout the day, and several of the ranch hands, the ones with families, were carted over to the ranch house because of the power outages in their cottages.

Julianne kept herself busy despite Barbara's protest that she put her feet up and go and relax.

"If I don't do something, I'm going to go crazy. Put me to work."

She was put in charge of the biggest pot of beef stew she had ever seen. And was prepared for him when he finally came home. He had stopped inside the mudroom to get rid of his coat that was caked with snow and ice as well as his boots.

She had prepared a steaming bath for him to get into as soon as he stepped into their suite and a full glass of his favorite brandy.

"You're a gem," he told her gratefully as he stepped into the water and slid all the way down. "I would kiss you, but I'm too exhausted."

"I'm just happy you're home safe. Here." She handed him the brandy and picked up the sponge to rub his back.

"Was it very rough?"

"Hmm." Leaning back, he closed his eyes and took a sip of the brandy as she rubbed his chest. "We lost some cattle who wandered out. That's what took up most of the time. We also had a mare foaling. It was a difficult birth, and we could not get the vet out in this weather." He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "The entire time I was thinking of you and wishing I was here. How are you, baby?"

"I'm fine now." She allowed her hand to drift down his flat stomach, loving the feel of his finely honed muscles.

"I'm too tired." His hand clamped down on hers to stop the provocative exploring, even while his eyes smoldered with passion. "And the fact that I'm saying that means that I'm out of my mind tired."

"Poor baby." Leaning over, she kissed him on the forehead. "Finish the brandy and don't fall asleep. I'm going to pick out something for you to put on."

"I adore you," he told her huskily.

"You'd better."

He fell flat on his face as soon as he donned the clothes she laid out for him. He mumbled goodnight, and by the time she pulled the sheets over him, he was snoring. She had planned on giving him a massage, but she supposed that would have to wait until tomorrow.

She sat up against the mound of pillows and stared at him, admiring the way the cotton t-shirt stretched taut across his shoulders and back. His hair was tangled and falling over his forehead. Careful not to disturb him, she used the tips of herfingers to brush it off his face. He was beautiful, she thought achingly, her heart bumping against her chest. And he was all hers. She knew that without a doubt.

He belonged to her. Just as she belonged to him. In the past, she had never entertained the idea that she could have a long-term relationship, much less a permanent one. Now she was a wife and very soon to be a mother. And she loved it. At first it was her career that meant everything to her, but not anymore. She loved being here for him when he got home.

And her man worked very hard. He was not one of those entitled rich guys who expected everyone else to do the work. Sighing softly and shaking her head at how contrary fate was, she slid down and snuggled at his side. Even in deep slumber, he automatically reached for her and drew her closer to him.

The storm raged for two days and kept everyone at home.

"You're itching to go outside," Julianne commented when her husband got up from his position in front of the fireplace for the third time to look out the window. He had slept like the dead for eight hours straight, only surfacing to get something to eat and then back to sleep. Now he was fully awake and rested. Julianne had the feeling that his habit of going out on the grounds was sofully embedded that it felt strange that he was just stuck inside. But she loved that he was here with her.

"Am I boring you?" she asked half-teasingly.

"Far from it," he hastened to assure her. Tearing his eyes away from the snow piling up past the windows, he came and sat back down next to her. There was nothing they could accomplish anyway. Jack was one of the people who were bunking at the ranch house. Bryson had gone down to have breakfast with them and decided to spend quality time with his wife, who surprisingly had announced that they play Monopoly and listen to classical music. "It's relaxing and good for the baby."