I’m pretty sure he wanted to choke me.
Still, we are now having a zoo theme, which is what I’m decorating Deacon’s room in.
“Are we there yet?” I ask, hating the darkness.
“Just a little farther.” Declan holds my hands, pulling me along. I have no idea what his grand surprise is, but the fact that I’m out of the house is enough to make me euphoric.
The last few weeks, I’ve felt wonderful, but my overbearing nurse has made me absolutely certifiable. I can’t go to work, drive anywhere, walk too much, or stress because it’s not good for the baby.
I swear, I could beat him.
Which leads me to try my hand at subterfuge to stay busy.
“All right,” Dec says as we come to a stop.
I inhale, and can smell the just cut wood, fresh paint, and traces of hay. His hands move to the tie, slowly lifting it from my head.
My eyes widen in shock. This was my barn a month ago. It was a small office with farm equipment below, and stalls that we didn’t use for anything other than storage.
Now, it’s beautiful.
The walls are covered and painted a soft light gray, there’s a subfloor and area rugs down. To the right, where the stalls were, is cleaned out and is now a sitting area with a couch and two big chairs.
It doesn’t even look close to the same.
“Dec,” I say, trying to take it all in. “This is incredible.”
“Come this way,” he says, placing my hand on the crook of his arm.
He pulls me deeper toward the back. “The bathroom there is redone and now is … clean and usable.”
I would’ve peed my pants instead of using the one here. It was so gross. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“I’ve instructed the entire staff that, if anyone uses it, they’ll be fired.”
I laugh. “Well, I don’t know that they can’t use it, but I’ll go with you on that for now.”
“Let me show you the best part.”
“There’s more?”
He nods. I allow him to take me all the way to the back side where there are now two rooms with barn doors that are open.
I gasp. “Is this an office?”
“That’s yours, and this is mine.”
I walk inside and my heart overflows with love for this man. It’s beautiful. There is a large gray wooden desk with white built-in bookcases behind it. They’re already filled with some of my law books that I know were in my office building.
Behind the desk is a white leather tufted wingback chair. It’s classy, modern, and so very much me.
“I know you’re miserable working in the house, and we both need space to do what we love. I’m overbearing and ridiculous, but at least here, you’re safe and can be comfortable.”
“Oh, Declan,” I say as tears brim, ready to spill over.
“Now we can both work, and you can be out of the house without pushing yourself to go back to work at the office too quickly.”
Not a chance, but I just smile at him. “This is really sweet. And perfectly done.”
There’s really nothing that I would change.
“I’m glad. I love you very much.”
I lift my hand and rest it on his cheek. “I love you.”
“I want to do and give you everything.”
“You already have.”
He’s given me more than he can even understand. I have my farm, a baby on the way, and the man I love.
He gave me his heart, and I’m never giving it back.
Epilogue
Sydney
“What the hell are you doing here?” Devney asks as I step into my office building.
“Last I checked, I work here.”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, but you said you wouldn’t be in for a while.”
“I lied, and I escaped.”
“You seriously need to seek psychiatric help.”
It’s been the best month of my life, but I can’t sit in that damn house anymore. It doesn’t matter that we converted the barn into offices. It’s great, don’t get me wrong, but he’s always freaking there.
He brings me water, juice, food, and then doesn’t argue when I’m picking a fight.
Declan has been the most doting and wonderful man that any woman—any sane one—would want.
But I’m not sane.
Nope. I’m a crazy, hormonal, unhinged lunatic per Ellie and Devney.
Instead of staying home, I drove to my office—without his damn supervision.
“Yeah, well … whatever.”
She follows me into my office. “Do you need anything?”
I shake my head. “Nope, just wanted to stretch my legs, get some fresh air, and not be confined.”
My doctor and surgeon have given me the all clear to go back to work on a very limited basis. I’m meant to take it easy and stay off my feet whenever possible. They advised me to limit stress as well … like that could ever happen as a lawyer.
I have done that though.
I don’t take as many cases, and I’ve hired another lawyer to help out once I have the baby, but there are some things that just can’t be done from home.
“You act like being around your doting boyfriend is the worst thing that could happen.”
“It’s not, but he’s always fussing over me. There hasn’t been a single issue since I woke up, all the ultrasounds have been great, and Deacon is growing at the perfect rate. Yet, his father seems to think I shouldn’t walk more than ten feet without him checking my heart rate.”
Devney grins. “He loves you.”
“He does.”
“You’re lucky,” she says with a raised brow.
“Please, like Oliver doesn’t dote on you? In fact, shouldn’t your amazing boyfriend be here in an hour to pick you up for your date?”
It’s the first Friday of the month. And the first Fridays are for Devney and Oliver. It’s so great that she has someone who loves her to the point of madness. He plans this for her and constantly makes sure she knows how much he loves her.
Devney looks away and doesn’t say anything.
Well, that’s a cue that
