Page 86 of Forsaken Trail (Runaway 4)

“How about tomorrow we pick one and just call it ours?”

“Deal. As long as you let me pay for the entire flower shop.”

“No.” I shook my head as we walked into the bedroom. “It’s not worth that price.”

“But you paid it anyway.”

“For you? I’d buy the moon.”

“Brody, this is . . . it’s too much. You know why it bugs me.”

I led her to the bed and pulled back the covers. Then after she slid beneath the sheet, I settled in behind her, holding her close. My hands rested on her belly, hoping to feel the baby kick just to be sure he or she was okay.

A little tap. That’s all I got. But it was enough.

“I’m not going anywhere, Aria. I have all this money. What’s the point of it if that means we struggle?”

“The struggle is what affirms you’re alive. Without it, the bright moments don’t shine.”

“How about a compromise?”

She twisted to look at me. “I’m listening.”

“You’ll pay the one twenty-five for the shop. And you agree to drive the BMW. It’s safer than the Cadillac.”

“Do you actually understand what compromise means?”

I chuckled. “Shh. Listen. I’m getting to the part you’re going to like. In exchange for that, I won’t buy you anything new for six months.”

“Twelve.”

“Nine.”

“Twelve. And once that time is up, we’ll put a limit on the size of future gifts.”

“Christ, you are stubborn.”

“Then it’s agreed.” She gave me a smug grin. “A year. And a limit.”

“A year,” I conceded. “And a limit. But items for the baby don’t count.”

“Agreed.” She nodded and snuggled deeper, then drifted off to sleep.

I waited for an hour or so, watching before slipping out of the room. When I went to my office, it was no surprise to find Clara there. She’d canceled my last meeting of the day and rescheduled those I’d missed.

“I’m just about done here,” she said. “I need to get August from preschool. Do you need anything before I go?”

“No. I’m not doing much.” My concentration was shit and I wanted to be close when Aria woke up. “I’m not working tomorrow. Or Sunday. You should take them off too.”

“That’s the plan. I’ve got a date with my main man for a bike ride and picnic.”

August was a lucky kid to have her as a mom. And my child would be lucky to have her as an aunt.

“I’m not good with sentiment.”

“Really?” she deadpanned.

“Your sarcasm has really blossomed since Aria moved here.”