For the first time in months, I slept like a baby. The temperature was perfect, and the bed was as soft as clouds. Sleeping late isn’t something I typically do because of my early work shifts, but it was nice to get a few extra hours, especially after traveling.

I lie in bed, the fluffy quilt surrounding my body, and I can’t help but smile. Everything finally feels like it’s going to be okay. I felt uneasy during the plane ride over and wondered if Alex had moved on.

What if I would’ve shown up and he was in a relationship with someone else or was back to his routine of random hookups? Luckily, I had a fallback plan for either scenario. I would’ve told him out of respect, but then left and carried on to raise the baby on my own, expecting nothing in return. I knew I could do it, albeit hard, but I was a strong, educated woman who was resourceful. I’d be ignorant to come all the way down here without some kind of backup plan, but I didn’t need it.

To know Alex waited for me and had been thinking of me as much as I’d been thinking of him, even when we agreed to leave it all in Key West, means more than he’ll ever know. We shared something magical and meaningful on that island, something I hope wasn’t brought on by bucket lists and beaches, but only time will tell.

Being able to see the reaction on his face and how happiness radiated from him when he found out he would be a father confirmed I did the right thing after all. I’ll never forget that moment for the rest of my life—no matter what. He could’ve pushed me away. He could’ve argued with me or told me to fuck off. Instead, Alex embraced me like a long-lost lover and looked at me like I was his whole world.

The feelings that swirl through me as I think back on it are so intense my eyes water, and a tear rolls down my cheek. I swipe it away, cursing my damn emotions that have been getting the best of me the past few weeks.

I stand and stretch, adjusting my top that is now tight against my belly, then walk over to the large window and open the sheer curtain that allows the right amount of morning sunlight to leak in. I stare out and take in the beauty that I’m definitely not used to seeing back home. The land goes on for days, and as much as I want to go explore, I remind myself that I’ll have plenty of time. The thought excites me while another one catches me off guard. Am I really moving to Texas?

After I shower and get ready for the day, I walk downstairs and see a large buffet area set up with breakfast platters just as Alex mentioned. Before I can even make my way over to the plates, John walks up holding a folded piece of paper.

“Mornin’, ma’am,” he says with a big grin.

Southerners are so damn polite; I just want to bottle them all up. “Morning.”

“Did you sleep okay last night?” he asks. I know he’s making small talk, which I actually don’t mind. I want to get to know everyone in Alex’s family as best as I can.

“I did, thank you. I think that bed is better than the one I have at home.” I tuck my hair behind my ears, and when I look over at the buffet table, John realizes he’s stalling.

“Oh, sorry. Make sure you try everything on the buffet. It’s all delicious and from my mama’s recipes.”

“I’ll do my best.” I grin, keeping the thoughts to myself on being nauseous in the mornings and how some of their country style food is foreign to me.

“Well anyway, Alex left a message for you.” He hands me the slip of paper.

“Thank you.” I smile, and he gives me a head nod before walking away to help a guest check out. The more I look at John, the more I notice how similar their mannerisms are.

I open the note and recognize the Circle B Ranch emblem on top.

Looking at my watch, I see it’s only a little past nine, which means I have a few hours to get my mind right before I meet his parents. My nerves are stretched thin, and I can only hope they like me. Given the circumstances of how Alex and I met and got pregnant, I’m not so sure that’s a formula for a great first impression. However, I am having their grandbaby after all, so hopefully, they’ll warm up to the idea quickly. I feel like a teenager again, meeting the parents of a boy I like and all that.

I grab a plate and put a few items on it. As I walk down the buffet line, I see stuff that looks a little scary. The woman next to me is pouring white gravy on top of biscuits, and the thought of it grosses me out. I grab some fruit, bacon, a blueberry muffin, and a large cup of orange juice—all of which I recognize and pass all the Southern delicacy like buttermilk pancakes with icing, grits, and cornbread.

There’s a lounge chair by a window across the room, and I decide to sit there and eat my breakfast. As I stare out the window, I take a bite of a blueberry muffin, and it’s so damn delicious that I’m tempted to snatch up the rest of them and stuff them in my purse so I can eat them throughout the day. However, I find some self-restraint and stop after my second one. I feel the juice in my belly. The sugar always makes the baby toss and turn. It’s the weirdest, but coolest feeling ever.

Just as I’m getting ready to place my empty plate in the dishpan, John walks in with a big cheesy smile.

“Howdy,” he says.

“You were right. It was delicious.” I give him a smile in return, hoping he didn’t see I only put fruit and muffins on my plate. He stops in his path and crosses his arms over his chest, then looks me from top to bottom. He narrows his eyes and takes a step forward until he’s close.

“Is that right?” He studies me, which is odd because we just spoke not twenty minutes ago. “So, where you from?” he asks with a side grin plastered on his face.

I laugh. “Wisconsin. Is it that obvious I’m an outsider?”

He grins before taking off his cowboy hat and tipping it, keeping his eyes on me. “Welcome to Texas, sweetheart. If you need anything, be sure to let me know. I’d be more than happy to show you ’round.”

Before I can respond to his strange comment, I hear shouting coming from behind him.

“Jackson!” When I glance around, I see John walking toward us. My mouth falls open, and I’m so damn confused that I don’t even know what to say. That’s when I realize they’re not even wearing the same damn clothes.

“There’s two of you,” I finally manage to get out after the initial shock passes. “I forgot. Alex told me once.”

John chuckles, smacking a hand on his shoulder. “This is Jackson, my asshole brother. Sorry, it can be kinda confusing when you don’t know we’re twins. And he’s such a dick, he’ll pretend he’s me, especially around pretty ladies.”

“I’m much better looking though, right?” Jackson winks. But honestly, they look identical. There’s nothing different about them, so telling them apart is going to be difficult as hell.

“Stop, dickhead. This is River,” John tells him. Recognition flashes across Jackson’s face, and I can tell they have one of those bonds where words aren’t needed as they hold a silent conversation.

After a minute, Jackson finally laughs and slaps his leg. “You’re a real person. I wasn’t convinced.” He looks me up and down again. “But now I understand.”

I playfully roll my eyes. “Well, I hope whatever’s been said about me is all good.”

“Oh yeah, totally. Just have an obsessed Bishop, which is damn right annoyin’ when you’re on the other end of that conversation. If I had to hear about that vacation one more time, I was gonna kill Alex.”

I laugh, nervously. Slightly weirded out that Alex talked about me so much. “Sorry about that. There’s probably a club you could join. My friend back home was front and center for most of it.”

“Is that so?” The corner of his lips tilts up. “She single?” He wiggles his brows.

John elbows him in the gut at the same time I laugh. “Sorry, no.”

“Damn. Go figure.” Jackson shrugs, and the silence between us becomes awkward. “Not to be rude, but why are you here now?” Jackson looks at me somewhat confused.

John clears his throat as if he knows what’s going on. “Don’t you have work that needs to be done? Actually, I need you to help me with something.”

Jackson shakes his head, and somehow, John steers him away. “Nice meeting you, River!” Jackson says as he turns around.

Well, that was…interesting. My heart begins to race as I think about meeting his parents again. Everything's happening so fast that my head is spinning trying to process it all.

I make my way back to my room and try to decide what I’m going to do until lunch. My rental car is still sitting at the cafe so going to town to explore isn’t an option. Instead, I grab my Kindle and decide to read and relax. First impressions are so important to me, and even though I’m trying to distract myself and read, I can’t comprehend anything I’m reading because I’m overly anxious.

After an hour of fidgeting and not being able to get comfortable, I grab my jacket and decide to go outside and explore the land. I walk through the common room and head toward the backdoor. Everyone is bundled up like it’s freezing, and it makes me laugh considering most of them are decked out in scarves and boots. This is considered warm for me, but I feel like a heater now anyway. I know it’s common in pregnancy, but I could live without the hot flashes.

As soon as I open the door and stand on the back porch, a smile touches my lips. It’s a cool forty-five degrees outside, and I’m actually happy there’s no snow and negative temperatures. It’s great for around the holidays, but once February hits, I’m over it. Sucks walking and driving in it, so this is definitely a nice change.

The rolling hills are so beautiful as I look out. I allow my feet to guide me as I take the steps down the porch and head toward the stables.

Curiosity gets the best as me as I walk down the path and decide to step in. As soon as I get closer, I can smell the horses and hay. It’s not something I’m used to smelling, making me feel like I’m really in the country. Many of the horses are wearing coats, which makes me giggle. As I continue walking through the stable, some of the horses poke their heads over the stall to greet me. I pet a few of their soft noses, and they nip at me, hoping I’ll feed them something, I’m sure.

Just as I’m about to make my way through the other side of the stable, I hear my name being called. Turning, I can’t help but smile when I see Alex stalking toward me wearing tight pants and boots, a heavy jacket, and black cowboy hat. He’s as country as they come, definitely different from what he looked like in Key West. However, it’s pretty damn sexy. I take a mental picture of how rugged he looks with the scruff on his jawline and messy hair under his hat. As soon as he’s close enough to touch me, he wraps his strong arms around me and kisses my forehead.

“Mornin’, beautiful,” he says with a sexy gruff in his tone. “Sorry, boundaries. I know. It’s going to be hard, though. Just a warning.”

“It’s okay.” The smile on my face might be permanent.

“I couldn’t wait to see you. We’re not finished for the day yet, but since I started earlier than Dylan, he said he’d cover until after lunch.” He loosens his grip on me and swings his arm around my shoulder and leads me toward the other entryway. Once we step outside, I see several trails that lead out in different directions.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” I say, taking everything in.

“These are the trails we have for horseback riding and for the Ranger side by sides, which are basically beefed-up golf carts. The blue trail goes to a pond. In the summer, it’s surrounded by wildflowers and a cute family of ducks. The red trail leads to a beautiful lookout point, and the green trail is for easy riding. It’s usually the ones we take the kids on. They’re all loops and circle back here. I’d love to take you one day. Have you ever been horseback riding?”

“No, but I’ve always wanted to, though. Bucket list item,” I say with a smirk.

A knowing grin fills Alex’s face. “Darlin’, start making a Texas bucket list, and we’ll check them off one by one.”

Hearing him say that sends tingles down my spine. I don’t know what it is about this man, but it feels as if no time has separated us at all. We’re easily falling back into the same Key West rhythm we were in, but the reality is, it’s not just him and me anymore. We’re having a baby together, which is a forever commitment, and just thinking about all of that scares the shit out of me. He notices me tense and squeezes my hand but doesn’t say anything.

“You know what I would like to do?” I smile wide.

Smirking, he lifts his eyebrows. “What’s that, sweetheart?”

“I want to take a tour of the ranch. This place is huge. I looked it up on Google, and I just can’t imagine what a thousand acres even looks like.”

“Right now?” he asks.

“Whenever you have time. I think it’d be fun.”

Alex grabs my hand and leads me back through the stables. We walk past the horse corral to a big red barn that looks like it should be on a movie set. Sliding the large door open, he takes a step to the side and I see 4-wheelers and the beefed-up golf cart things he was talking about.

“I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”

How can he consistently say all the right things at exactly the right time? The past few weeks I’ve felt horrible, and I’ve hated the way I’ve looked, but being around him changes all of that. Alex looks at me with so much fire in his eyes, it almost burns my skin. Just being around him, smelling him, staring into his eyes is making my hormones go haywire. At this point, I might need more self-control than he does because my body remembers every single kiss and touch, and it’s been craving him since I left Key West. Pregnancy hormones are way worse than Key West hormones, especially since I already know what I’m missing.

He watches me watch him. As he steps closer, he brushes his fingers across the softness of my cheek before giving me a sweet smile. “A complete tour would take days. We have to be back for lunch in two hours, and Mama doesn’t accept tardiness. You’ll learn that, though. If you want, we can see a small portion of it right now. We can take the blue trail. They’re not going to be riding for a few more hours anyway.”

I nod eagerly. “Yes. I’d love that.”

Alex grabs a set of keys from the wall and leads me over to the side by side parked in the front. I climb in, and as soon as I sit down next to him, he places his hand on my thigh, and I place my hand on top of his. We both glance at each other and smile.

“Hold on,” he says, pressing on the gas, and we zoom out of the barn, drive around the stables, and make our way down the trail.

“Just remember: baby on board.” I nod my head down to my belly. “No major bumps or anything.”

“Don’t worry. I got you.” He winks.

A few minutes into the trail, Alex speaks up again. “I should probably tell you more about my family before lunch. Mama and Dad have been married since they were eighteen. High school sweethearts and all that. Got married young, had babies young. Mama’s strict, but she loves with everything she’s got. Dad’s a tough one to crack, but over time, he’ll warm up to you. They’re both set in their ways, but with five kids, they’ve had to juggle a lot. I think I mentioned my siblings before, but just a reminder in case you forgot. I’m the youngest of the boys, so I get shit on a lot for it.” He shrugs with a sideways grin. “Then there’s John and Jackson, the twins.”

I chuckle to myself, thinking that reminder would’ve been nice a couple hours ago. “Yeah, I met Jackson this morning.”

He gives me a sideways glance at the tone of my voice. “Don’t worry. John put him in his place.” I chuckle.

“Good. So, then there’s my sister, Courtney, who ironically is also pregnant. But with triplets.”

“Triplets?” I gasp, and my eyes go wide. “I can’t even imagine.”

“Yep. She and her husband, Drew, tried for a couple of years before seeing some fancy fertility doctor and ending up with three babies. They live in California but come and visit when they can. Oh, speaking of doctor, my oldest brother, Evan, is a doctor.”

“A doctor?” I ask, surprised. I really thought they’d all be involved with the ranch in some way, but I know a doctor’s busy schedule.

“Yeah. He’s a hardass and super smart. He’s the only one of us boys who decided he didn’t want the rancher life, but Dad makes him come and help on his days off,” he explains.

“Sounds like there’s never a dull moment with the Bishops.” I chuckle. “So thanks for the twin warning ahead of time, by the way. I was really confused this morning when I was talking to John, or I thought I was anyway, and it ended up being Jackson. He had no idea who I was and hit on me until John intervened.” I place my free hand in the pocket of my jacket because the wind seems colder now that we’re speeding up.

“That motherfucker,” he mutters. “Yeah, he does that. A lot, actually. Drives John fuckin’ nuts, but Jackson lives for a laugh especially when it comes to making any one of us uncomfortable. Sometimes he likes to wear the same clothes as John, and it makes John so mad. But it’s pretty funny. Mostly because I get to witness it.”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to tell them apart,” I add over the roaring of the engine.

He chuckles. “Most people have that issue. But John is the quiet one. He’s more sensible, and Jackson likes being an asshole. John is an introvert whereas Jackson is loud and proud, and overly flirty with every woman he sees. No matter her age. They may look the same, but they’re complete opposites in personality. You’ll figure it out sooner than later, trust me. Jackson doesn’t know how to shut up.”

“That’s good information, actually.” I chuckle. “Jackson definitely gives off the party vibe.”

He looks over at me with a knowing look. “You have no idea.”

We continue down the trail and begin climbing a large hill. By the time we make it to the top, Alex turns off the engine and gives me time to look out. It’s magical how the land goes on as far as the eye can see. It almost seems like a mirage, and the silence is so relaxing. There’s no rushing cars or city noise; it’s so quiet that I can hear the wind rustling the grass.

“Wow,” I whisper.

“You’ve not seen nothing yet.” Alex turns on the Ranger and presses the gas. We roll down the other side of the hill and drive into a valley. Time seems to stand still as we continue forward until a large pond comes into view. Trees surround it, and there are a few picnic tables under the trees; I can imagine people having lunch out here. Once Alex cuts the engine, we get out and walk toward the pond. The blue sky and clouds reflect upon the water, and I feel like I could stare out at this view all day long. I can’t wait to see it with wildflowers surrounding it, just like Alex described.

We stand next to each other, and I turn and look at him.

“Are you afraid?”

He licks his lips, and his face distorts. “Not even for a second,” he replies, confidently. I wish I felt like that, but nevertheless, I’m relieved by his answer.

“I’m scared, Alex. I’m worried about this pregnancy. I’ve witnessed so much working at the children’s hospital, seeing babies suffer, watching their parents cry and fall to pieces. Hell, I saw it with my own eyes with my sister, Rylie, and what it did to my parents. Everything’s going to change, and all I can think about is what if this baby is sick or worse. The thoughts are so overwhelming and now being here with you…” I pause, inhaling a much-needed deep breath. “It’s all so much.”

Grabbing my hand, Alex turns me toward him and tilts my chin up. Staring into his blue eyes, I notice how they’re the same color as the sky above us. “I’m here, darlin’. There are going to be plenty of what-if and scary moments, but all you need to know is that I’m here. We’ll do this together, and everything’s gonna be all right.”

He kisses me softly, and I melt into him. My body relaxes, and I believe every word he says. Maybe if we’re together, everything really will be okay.

We spent too much time at the pond, so instead of going straight back to the B&B, Alex drives us to his parents’ house using a different trail. The property is so large that I’m lost and turned around because all the trails seem to connect to each other. My nerves are on fire again as we drive past another barn and he parks the side by side close to the back steps of a large country home. It’s got a wraparound porch just like the B&B. When we walk inside, even though my heart is racing, it feels and smells just like home—a home I always wished I had.

“Mama,” Alex yells out as soon as we walk in.

“In the kitchen,” she responds. I stop and take a quick breath, preparing myself for the possible outcomes. My stomach starts to twist in knots, and I know it’s not from the pregnancy this time.