“Do you think he knew?” Cait asked softly, burrowing closer into Win’s side.
“Who?”
“My father. Do you think he knew why you left that morning, and he tried to make it right when he made me promise to send for you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Win had thought the same thing a time or two but never voiced it.
“I think he knew, and I think he used Deil to bring us back together.”
Win thought about that a moment. “If that’s so, I owe him.”
“We both do.” Cait took a deep breath. “I went to see Doc this morning while I was in town.”
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” Win demanded, fear making his voice curt.
“No, everything’s ?ne.” She smiled and he was shocked to see moisture glimmering in her eyes. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Win’s vision narrowed and wavered, and he was aware of Cait steadying him.
“But I thought-” He broke off, uncertain what to say.
“Beulah wasn’t a doctor,” Cait said quietly. “I told Doc what happened with the ?rst child. Doc wants to see me every month, just to make sure everything’s going all right with this one.”
Win stared at Cait’s calm, composed features. He had a million questions, but now didn’t seem the time to ask. Instead he wrapped his arms around her and swung her around. “We’re going to have a baby!” Suddenly he set her down, terri?ed he’d inadvertently hurt her. “Are you all right? Did I-”
“No, you didn’t hurt me.” Cait laughed. “And I don’t expect to be treated like glass for the next six months.”
“But you will be careful. And no more breaking horses. I’ll take care of that. I can do the chores, too. And you should take at least one nap a day to make sure you don’t get too tired.”
Cait jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, effectively silencing him. “Doc said de?nitely no breaking horses and I agree with him. However, doing my chores won’t hurt the baby or myself unless I try to lift something too heavy.” She placed her palms over her still?at abdomen. “I want this baby as much as you do, Win. I’ll be careful.” With her fore?nger, she drew an X over her left breast. “I promise.”
Win captured her hand and held it against his chest as he hugged her close. His throat felt clogged and he struggled to breathe past the lump there. “I love you, Cait.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
A black and white butter?y landed on the corral pole less than two feet away. Win turned Cait in his arms so her back was against his chest and she could see the striking butter?y.
“Aren’t you going to catch it?” Win teased.
Cait sank into him and laid her hands over his, which were clasped at her waist. “I don’t catch butter?ies anymore.”
“Why’s that?”
She leaned her head back against his shoulder and tilted her face up to meet his gaze. Her eyes sparkled with love. “If I caught them, they’d never ?nd their way home… like you did.”
The butter?y ?uttered away and Win smiled, silently wishing it luck in ?nding home.
