Kiss and Tell (39 page)

Marnie wrapped an arm about his waist and grinned up at him, blue eyes sparkling and unrepentant. "Pooh. That little stroll was nothing. I've run up and down this mountain with bad guys shooting at me in snow, sleet, and pouring rain. With all you tough guys up here, I'm as safe as could be. Besides" – she plucked a leaf off his T-shirt and twirled it under his nose – "I couldn't stand waiting till then to see what you've done. I sneaked out while Dad was talking a nap. For once I eluded his eagle eye."

"No, you didn't," Jake said laconically, waving to his father-in-law, who was trudging up the hill looking disgruntled.

Geoffrey Wright waved back, shot his son-in-law a sympathetic glance, and didn't pause until he disappeared inside the cabin.

"Can I have a tour now?" Marnie demanded.

Jake wrapped an arm about her waist, resting his hand gently on her very large belly. "It's hardly the romantic weekend I'd anticipated," he said dryly as the saw started up again and someone shouted for more nails. "I wanted to wait until it was just the two and a half of us."

She smiled. "One and a half of us don't mind company. We can always go home for quiet." She cast an appreciative gaze over the cabin. "It looks fabulous, Jake. Really terrific. And so
big
."

Arms about each other, they strolled up the slight incline to the front door.

"You didn't mention you'd been able to salvage any of the old cabin."

"I wasn't able to." Jake followed her gaze to the darker, weathered timbers comprising the front wall. "I used as much lumber as I could from your grandmother's cottage. Eventually the weathered timbers will blend with the new— Are you crying?"

Eyes bright with tears, Marnie turned to slide her arms around his neck, their baby nestled between them. "Oh, Jake. That is the sweetest, most dear thing. She'll always be in my heart, but I love knowing that part of her cottage will shelter us, too. Thank you, my love."

"My pleasure," he said gruffly against her hair. "Want to go inside?"

"In a minute." She rested her head against his chest with a sigh of contentment. "Just hold us like this a bit longer."

"My pleasure." Jake rested a possessive hand on her rounded tummy. "What were you saying to our daughter while you were sitting over there?"

Covering his stroking hand with hers, Marnie looked up at him with all her love in her eyes. "I was telling our future spy king of the universe what a lucky little boy he is to have such a wonderful daddy."

A son or daughter. Another Marnie miracle. Their lives were filled with them.

She'd given him her family, her trust, her absolute, unadulterated love.

She'd given him his heart.

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