Page 131 of River Wild

“She’s beautiful, Carrie.”

I glance up at River, who is staring down at her with awe and adoration and wonderment.

His eyes move to mine. “She looks just like you.”

I look back to my daughter. “You think?”

“Definitely.” He presses a sweet kiss to my forehead. “You did amazing, Carrie.”

Maybe it’s the overwhelming emotion of the moment or maybe just a simple need, but I lift my mouth up and press a soft kiss to his lips.

I start to move away, but his hand cups my cheek, bringing me back to his mouth.

He kisses me softly, tenderly. Gently sucking on my lower lip.

I pull back from the kiss and look into his eyes. He tenderly tucks my hair behind my ear. His eyes on mine.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“For what?”

“For being here. For being you,” I repeat the words he said to me the night we learned to trust each other.

“Couple of minutes, guys”—Hope reappears, pulling my attention to her—“and then we’ll be moving mama and baby into the ambulance and taking you both to the hospital.”

I notice a blanket now covering my lower half. I didn’t even realize that Hope had covered me up. I was too busy loving on my baby and the man sitting behind me.

“Can I come in the ambulance with them?” River asks. “If that’s okay with you?” he checks with me.

“I’d like that,” I tell him.

“So, do we have a name for this little beauty yet?” Hope asks me.

I stare at her for a long moment and then down at my daughter, a smile falling onto my lips. “I didn’t. But I do now.”