Page 18 of Cruz

“I had another letter come through, this one a lot nicer, and apparently my debt had been moved to this current company, and they were accepting that it was a hard time. They also listened to what happened, and rather than tell me it wasn’t their problem, we came up with a repayment plan, which meant the shop stayed in my name, and I was able to make the payments. It was reasonable as well. If it hadn’t been for them, and then Tillie, everything would have been gone by now.”

“Sounds like you were thrown a lifeline.”

“I was.” She sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, part of me wanted the shop to be taken from me, because in a way, it wouldn’t have really been my fault. It would have been my mother’s for messing everything up. That didn’t happen, and I don’t know, in camping out at the shop, determined to keep it and show everyone that I could, I fell in love with the place. I know I did, because I was not going to let Mom take it back.” Kate laughed. “You know, at first, I was a little resentful, because I wanted to be a fashion designer, but there are ways I can still do that now, while owning the shop. It’s like a dream come true. I only wished that in the beginning I had considered this myself.”

“At least you are now.”

“True. I do love going to work, and I guess seeing as we all have to work to make a living, it might as well be something we enjoy, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, it’s why I stopped being a stubborn ass and just settled on being a rancher. It’s in my blood, and I don’t know any different. I happen to love what I do, and this is everything to me.”

Kate offered him a smile. “We’re going to make this work. Both of us.” She reached out, took his hand, and Cruz locked his fingers with her.

She realized they were talking about deep and meaningful stuff, yet hadn’t mentioned a thing about the fact she could be pregnant.

****

After the last of the dishes were done, Cruz waited as she put the plate back in its place. Belle had been taken out for a quick toilet break, and she’d been fed. He loved having the little dog around.

The moment Kate closed the cupboard, he lifted her up in his arms, and she screamed, as expected.

“What are you doing?” she asked, laughing.

He did not answer her, as he made his way upstairs and started toward the bedroom. Cruz did not stop at the bedroom, though, and made his way straight to the bathroom. He only let her go long enough so he could put the plug into the bath and start to fill it up.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He cupped her face, tilted her head back, and kissed her. Even when he broke the kiss, her eyes were still closed. “Time to get you naked.”

She burst out laughing, but followed his lead as he started to get her completely naked. First, the shirt came off. She looked good in his clothes, but he was missing her own. Soon, she would have them again. Tossing the shirt toward the laundry basket, he didn’t even look to see if it had landed inside it.

Next, he knelt down in front of her, tugged the pants right down, and she stepped out of them. She wasn’t wearing any underwear, which he was relieved about. Not that he had any spare underwear for her, and it would only get in the way.

Once she was naked, he checked the water in the bathtub, and she screamed as he lifted her up in his arms, carried her straight over to the tub, and lowered her into the water.

“Cruz, what are you doing?” she asked, laughing.

He let her go, quickly stripped down, and joined her in the water. Only, he didn’t sit in front of her, and instead moved her forward so that he was behind her, and lifted her up to settle her in between his legs.

Kate rested her head against his chest and leaned back, tilting just a little so that she was looking at him. “What is all this?”

“You’ve worked hard today and you deserve a bath.”

She rolled her eyes. “I cooked and did a little cleaning, taking care of Belle. You’re the one who did the hard work.” She sighed. “It feels like this snow will never stop.”

It hadn’t started to snow, but the snow that had landed had settled and also frozen. He kissed her neck.

“It will, one day,” he said.

She sighed. “Is it wrong that I don’t actually want it to?”

“You don’t?”

“No, it’s kind of nice being here, with you, just relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet. I know it’s not good for business, mine or yours.”

“The orders will be mounting up?”

“Yep, and hopefully, not everyone wants the same fabric, and it is all for different fabrics.” She sighed, settling against him. “This is nice.”