Page 147 of Wilde Flame

When she didn’t answer me, I lifted my head to find her sleeping. I smiled and gently got off the bed. I covered her up and stood there for a few minutes watching her sleep. A part of me wanted to wake her up and make love to her again, but I knew she needed to rest. Leaning down, I placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“I love you, Flower Child.”

She snuggled deeper into the pillow and mumbled something I couldn’t understand. With a light chuckle, I made my way out of our room, gently shutting the door with a soft click.

Week 32

“It’s so hot!” Emeline complained as she sat in a chair, a glass of ice water held to her cheek. “Why is it so damn hot?”

“Because Mother Nature hates us,” Lilibeth added, fanning herself with a Fourth of July fan.

Levi and I exchanged looks. I raised my brows, and he slowly shook his head. It was a silent warning not to say a word. Both women were miserable and clearly hot. They were both almost at thirty-two and thirty-three weeks.

“Are you positive you’re not having twins?” Ensley asked, as she walked up and handed Emeline the iced tea she’d asked for.

“Oh shit,” Levi whispered.

Emeline glared at our sister. “I’m not having twins, and you know I’m not having twins, because you know the sex of the baby. Now tell me what it is!”

My sister and Levi had decided not to find out the sex of their baby, but Ensley knew. They’d agreed that someone in the family should know, just in case.

Laughing, Ensley handed Lilibeth her tea, which she took, then drank almost all at once.

“I’m uncomfortable and I’m hot!” Emeline said to no one in particular, as my mother joined us, a smile on her face.

Leaning down to kiss Emeline first, then Lilibeth, she tried to placate her daughter. “Five more weeks to go and you’ll be full term.”

Emeline groaned. “Don’t remind me, Mom.”

“How are you feeling, Lilibeth?” my mother asked.

“Hot.”

“Do you want to tell everyone what happened the other night?” Ensley asked, winking at Lilibeth.

“No, I do not.”

I had to press my lips together tightly to keep from laughing.

“What happened the other night?” Emeline asked.

“Nothing,” Lilibeth replied, finishing off the iced tea.

Ensley clucked her tongue. “Be careful you don’t drink too much there, Lilibeth.”

She shot Ensley a dirty look. “Very funny.”

Emeline pouted. “Wait, I want to know what happened!”

Lilibeth looked at me, and I winked. “Your secret is safe with me, Lili.”

Putting her hands together as if praying, Ensley pleaded, “Please let me tell the story! Please!”

“Well, now I want to know too,” Mom said with a chuckle.

Rolling her eyes and sighing, Lilibeth tossed up her hands. “Fine. Tell the story.”

Ensley jumped up and turned to face everyone, rubbing her hands together. “So, you all know I stayed with Lilibeth while Caden went to the ranching convention in Denver with Dad, Uncle Mike, and Gatlin. Caden didn’t want Lilibeth to be alone.”