Harlequin Special Edition October 2015, Box Set 1 of 2 (38 page)

A rock lodged in his throat, or maybe his heart had blown up so big that it had floated upward and got stuck. “Anna...you're sure on this? That you...”

“Love you? Yes, cowboy, I'm sure.”

Thank you, God.
“Well, then, since we're already married, it would be illogical to propose again,” he said crisply, as he was too emotional to find more romantic words. “So instead, I ask you this—will you, Anna Daugherty, do me the honor of
not
divorcing me in a year, and rather than following a bunch of practical rules, take each day with me as it comes, one after another, for the rest of our lives?”

With that smile he so adored, this woman who had, in fact, brought him to his knees said, “Yes, Logan Daugherty, I do. I will. Beginning this very second.”

Logan leaned forward and kissed this woman he loved, his wife...his Anna, and he did so with every part of his being. With every inch of the man he was. He was hers. She was his. He did not know why God had decided to grace him with such immense fortune, but he would forever be grateful and he would never stop counting his blessings.

When they separated, Anna gently moved Scarlett to her lap. The baby's eyes fluttered open, and she seemed to look straight at Logan, causing his heart to darn near explode.

“Your daughter is also happy you're home, Logan,” Anna said, her voice warm and happy. “And Miss Scarlett Valentina, I hope you're ready to track some miles on this rocker with your daddy, because your mommy needs some rest.”

“Hello there, princess,” he said, kissing her on her perfect, tiny nose. “It's so good to see you again, and I'm sorry it took me too long to get back here, but I promise you, I'm never going anywhere again. You can count on that.”

And while Logan knew it was just a coincidence, his baby girl cooed and waved her hand in the air as if in greeting, as if saying, “Why, hello again, Daddy! We're going to have so much fun now that you're here with us, exactly where you belong.”

Coincidence or not, Logan heartily agreed.

Epilogue

T
he ranch was brimming with activity, as every member of the Cordero family was in attendance. Gavin and Haley had made the drive to Wyoming yesterday and had brought Anna's aunt with them. So, all in all, there were twenty-four adults present for this very special occasion.

Scarlett Valentina
Cordero's
first birthday.

About nine months ago—a full three months after Logan had got down on his knees and tenderly let Anna into his heart—he asked if she would mind legally changing their surname. Of course she hadn't minded. It was the right decision, for all of them.

For one, Anna's husband was a Cordero cowboy through and through, and for another, Zeke's role in Logan's life had always been that of a father, despite their actual relation. The change had made sense on logical and emotional levels. And she adored being a Cordero.

Anna smiled and waved at Maisie—the brunette with the braids, by the way—who was sitting on the floor, playing with Scarlett. Her daughter had grown so much in twelve months. It was incredible to believe that this walking, gibbering,
demanding
almost-a-toddler had once been a baby who loved to sit on Anna's lap and rock and rock and rock.

Now she did not like to sit for long. On anyone or anything. She wanted to go, go, go, and touch, touch, touch, and taste, taste, taste, and heaven help the person who stood in her way.

Well, except for Zeke. Scarlett had already developed the sweetest, strongest bond with her great-grandfather, and she had solidly wrapped that cantankerous old man right around her teeny-tiny pinkie finger. Most of the time, since Zeke was almost-officially retired, you could find the two of them together. Outside—though he never took her far—and inside, playing with her blocks, looking at books, napping together in Zeke's big recliner.

Every now and then, he'd get the humidor that was now a jewelry box from her room, and she'd sit on his lap and he'd read the inscription—“For Scarlett, to keep all your doodads in. Love, your great-granddad”—and he'd tell her stories about his father. Oh, she wasn't old enough to pay attention to the stories, but she seemed mesmerized by the rough timbre of Zeke's voice.

It was so lovely to see, to be a part of.

Their little family of three had permanently moved to Bur Oak when Scarlett was four months old. Logan had put the decision in Anna's hands, saying that wherever she wanted to live was fine by him. He'd meant it, too. This man loved her so completely, so wholly, that he had every intention of following through, whatever her choice.

Again, though, moving to the ranch was the
right
decision. Logan and his cousins had re-created Scarlett's beautiful nursery here in their new home, so she had her room of whimsy to dream in. And for now, Anna's days were mostly filled with caring for and chasing Scarlett, but she was considering—with Logan's prodding—going into business for herself. Not now, not for a while. But when she was ready, owning her own bakery might be nice.

Once or twice a month, depending on the season and how busy things were at the ranch, they visited Steamboat Springs to spend time with Lola and Gavin and Haley. These visits were always enjoyable, but by the end, Anna was ready to return home.

Yes, she was incredibly, unbelievably happy.

Now, on her baby's first birthday, she searched the great room, trying to find her husband. It was almost time for Scarlett's birthday cake, which—naturally—Anna had baked and decorated, and before the official party got under way, she wanted to let him in on a little secret.

Well, a big secret. One that would take another eight months or so to grow.

There he was, leaning against the wall near Zeke's office, and his eyes were on her, his gaze steady and sure. Anna made her way toward him, trying to decide which words to use to share that he was going to be a daddy again. And she couldn't help but compare today with that cool October morning when she'd finally found the courage to knock on his door.

So much had changed since then. In huge, gulping bursts.

Her husband talked to her now, about almost everything, and she talked back. He never hid from her, and he always noticed if she needed an ear or a hug or...well, whatever she needed. Oh, he still had the tendency to hunker down somewhere when something was bothering him, but now if she asked what was wrong, he didn't get grouchy. He simply let her in.

“Hey there, beautiful,” her cowboy said as she reached his side. Creases wrinkled around his eyes as he thoroughly gave her the once-over. “You look pensive. You're not reconsidering that divorce, are you? Seeing how this was supposed to be the last day of our marriage agreement?”

Laughing, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Not a chance of that happening. Today, tomorrow, fifty years from now. You're stuck with me, cowboy.”

“Hmm,” he said. “What if
I'm
reconsidering?”

His tone told her he was teasing, so she laughed again. “I'd say you're out of luck.”

“Nah. I'd say I'm the luckiest guy standing in this room.” He angled his head so he could see around a throng of his cousins. “How's our baby girl doing on her very first birthday?”

“She's good. Playing with Maisie.” Then, having decided how to spring the news, she said, “So, just now, I was thinking about how things didn't quite go as planned last year. How scary it was for you, with your granddad, and how hard it was when you had to leave the hospital so soon after Scarlett's birth.”

Logan kissed the top of her head. “I know. But we made it through, all of us.”

“We did.” She put a few inches of space between them, to see his face better. “A do-over would be great, though, wouldn't it? I mean, we can't re-create those days we lost, after Scarlett was born. But we can have a do-over on the experience itself, right?” She shrugged. “With Scarlett's brother or sister.”

Logan blinked once. Twice. “Wait a minute. Are you...?”

“Yes, Logan,” she said. “I am. We are.”

A whopper of a grin appeared. “When?”

“Sometime in mid-November,” she said. “And no, we're not using the name Flash even if we're having a boy, so don't even think about the possibility.”

“Now, hold on there,” he said, still grinning. “Think about this for a minute, darlin'. You have to admit that Flash Cordero is way cooler-sounding than Flash Daugherty. For that reason alone, Flash must stay on the table. I insist.”

“Nope.” She shook her head. Vehemently. “And we're figuring out names months ahead of schedule, Logan. Months. Well before they give me the tipsy drug.”

“Whatever you want,” he said. “Anything you want.”

“You're happy, right?”

“So happy, Anna. So. Damn. Happy.”

Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Deeply. Passionately. Every other thing in the world, for those few minutes, ceased to exist. Anna knew this man. She knew his heart and his soul. He was
her
man. Now and forever. Because they were meant to be one.

Well. One plus their daughter and their next child and their next. Anna envisioned herself as mother to a large family. Very large.

“Come on, cowboy.” She pressed her palms on his chest, kissed the line of his jaw. “It's time for cake and candles, celebrating and presents. Let's go get our baby.”

“Yeah. Let's.” Hand in hand, they walked toward their princess, their Scarlett. The daughter they would surround with love, until their very last breaths. “Hey, Anna?” Logan asked, his tone low and gravelly. “I have another question. An important one.”

Concerned, she stopped and faced him. “What question would that be?”

“Do we have any leftover frosting? Because I was thinking that later tonight, after Scarlett's all tuckered out and in her crib, we could make use of that frosting.”

“Why, Logan Cordero, I am shocked that you even have to ask.” She looped her arm through his and grinned. “What kind of woman do you take me for? Of course I made extra.”

“You really are great at that proactive thinking,” Logan said, leading them once again toward their daughter. “Remembering how much of a sweet tooth I have and all.”

“Let's not forget
my
sweet tooth,” she said. “That road goes both ways.”

They reached the spot on the floor where their daughter played with Maisie, apparently having a great time knocking down blocks as fast as they were stacked on top of one another. Scarlett looked up, saw her parents and, while smiling and babbling, toddled over to them.

Logan swept their princess up and onto his hip and tickled her until she giggled. Then he turned toward Anna and pulled her to them, into the safe, strong circle of his arms.

Into the abiding love of her family.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from
EVERGREEN SPRINGS
by RaeAnne Thayne.

SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM

This Christmas, Cole Barrett isn't expecting
a miracle. He's just trying to help his children
grieve the loss of their mother. But when beautiful
Devin Shaw bursts into their world, will Cole find
a second-chance family under the mistletoe?

Read on for a sneak preview of
EVERGREEN SPRINGS
,
the latest book in
New York Times
bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne's stunning series
HAVEN POINT
.

http://www.harlequin.com/harlequinexperience