that’s what people wanted to see. “Besides,
Evan doesn’t have to marry me.” There was no point getting all unrealistically gooey
over something that may never happen. Six year old girls with bride dolls and pretty
dreams did that.
“Yes, Evan does.” Jo was quite adamant on that.
“No, Evan doesn’t,” Cass responded.
It was then the man in question appeared. “What does or doesn’t Evan have to
do?” He raised his eyebrows in question.
“You have to marry Cass.”
Evan turned and smiled at Cass. “Okay.”
Cass took a step back. “Just like that? Because someone told you to?” This
wasn’t how she thought a proposal to go.
He spread his hands out wide. “It’s a good enough reason.”
Bloody hell. “How romantic.” Her heart dropped to her feet. Imagine if he knew
about the baby. He would marry her for that reason alone. And I want more. So much
more.
“You want romance, Cassie?” He walked over and reached out for her hand.
“Every night I spend with you is sublime. Every day is a revelation. Every word you
speak enthralls me. I am so in love with you, lady, that not marrying you is unthinkable.”
“Wow!” Her inner six-year old cheered. He loves me. He really loves me .
“Good, huh?” Evan pulled her against his body.
Cass melted into his body. “Yeah, real good.” She turned her head to the side.
“Haven’t you two gas-bags got stuff to do?”
Flo and Jo nodded, leaving arm in arm, a satisfied look on each of their faces.
Cass turned her gaze back to the man she loved. It was time to get serious. “What
about the future?” Where did he see them in twenty years? Did they have twenty
years in them? Or was it great sex that bound them together? If so, was that enough?
No, I want more.
“It’ll be great.” Evan’s arms circled her waist.
“How do you feel about mortgages, juggling finances, jobs and babies?”
Evan shrugged. “Mortgages? No problem. Finance? Easy. Babies? Hmm…
well…”
Hmm…well… ? That was not what a pregnant woman wanted to hear from the
baby’s father.
“We’ll see how we go.”
Oh boy. “See how we go?” She repeated. “I gotta tell you I need more than see
how we go.” Cass tried to pull out of his arms but Evan held her firm against him. She
pushed her palms against his chest. “You know maybe we’re not suited. We came
together so fast and it was dramatic what with Throcker Thrashing, the gold and
everything. Maybe we’ve rushed this.” Tell me I’m wrong. Please.
“Maybe.” Evan dropped his hands from her body.
Oh no. Maybe? Does he really think that ? “You know, I won’t take it personally
and stuff if you don’t want to be with me because of everything that happened.”
Evan smiled and nodded. “Yeah, you will.”
“Okay. Yeah, I will but it’s all been such a rush between us.”
“Yes, it has. Sex, theft, vandals, assault, chooks, pregnancy.” His gaze locked on
hers, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
He knows. Damn it. How does he know? “You’re pregnant?” She asked casually,
anticipation building inside her.
“The pregnancy test was in the bin. I’m fairly certain it doesn’t belong to one of
the ladies inside.”
“Some people are careless when they’re uncertain about things.” Please make me
feel certain . She wasn’t a weak woman but at that moment, she needed to know where
she stood and how he really felt.
“I understand. Pregnant people don’t think rationally,” Evan added. “So, we’re
pregnant.”
We’re? Nice . “Yeah, it seems so.”
He took at step back towards her. “I could wonder it you really love me and want
to be with me and not just because of the baby.”
“Ditto.” We think alike. Spooky . Cass reached for his hand. His fingers entwined
with hers. “So…”
“Cass Kelly, soon to be Bates, I can think of nothing I want more than to marry
you and be the father of this child.” Evan placed his free hand on her belly.
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