During lunch at his dad’s house on Monday, Gage got a report on Josh’s overnight stay. Evidently it had gone very well. They’d kept the little guy so busy petting horses and feeding chickens that he hadn’t had time to miss his mom.

He’d been excited to see her come through the door that morning, but he’d shown no evidence of separation anxiety. Good news for everyone involved.

His dad had acted pleased about the trip up to Great Falls and amused by the gifts Gage had spent the morning buying. For Josh, he’d found a plush pygmy owl, a baby cowboy hat, a kid-sized football, and a wooden barn with a hinged roof that lifted to reveal the wooden farm animals tucked inside.

He’d gotten Emma a white t-shirt for flag football, a bottle of the red wine they’d had Sunday night, and a big bag of premium bird seed. For both Emma and Josh, he’d bought a print of Home, Sweet Home at the GG Country Store. When he’d pulled that out, his dad had immediately taken it back to the studio so he could sign, mat and frame it for them.

Early Tuesday afternoon, Gage loaded his gifts in the truck and texted Emma so she’d know when to expect him. At his request, she’d promised not to make dinner. He’d handle it when he got there.

The drive seemed to take freaking forever, but when he parked in front of her house and checked the time, he was early. Must have exceeded the speed limit by…a lot. Damn lucky he hadn’t been pulled over.

After evaluating the big pile of stuff on the passenger side of his cab, he chose to carry in only his duffle, the wine, and the plush owl. He’d get the rest later.

The neighborhood was quiet—kids in school, folks at work. Emma’s front walk looked recently swept. The porch, too. He started to ring the bell, changed his mind and reached up to tap on the door instead.

She opened it before he could. “He’s asleep,” she whispered as she stepped back to let him in. She was barefoot. Her stretchy, short-sleeved top and yoga pants defined every sexy curve.

His groin tightened and he would have kissed her but he had his hands full. He kept his voice down, too. “I thought you said nothing woke him up.”

“It hardly ever does, but—” She glanced at the plush owl. “That’s adorable. And you wore your white shirt.”

“Wanted to show you how clean it is.”

“Glad the mascara stain came out. Can I help you with something?”

“I brought wine. I didn’t know if we’ll have a chance to—“

“I’ll take it. We’ll see. You can set the owl on that little table. And your duffle…you know where the bedroom is. Why don’t you take it in there and I’ll put the wine in the kitchen?”

“Sure, okay.” He wanted to kiss her but circumstances weren’t lending themselves to that. He went down the hall and paused by her spare room, now Josh’s room. The door was open just a crack, not enough to see in.

He walked as quietly as possible past the door and into her bedroom. She’d moved the bed to a different wall and changed the bedspread. Otherwise the room looked about the same.

Good memories in this room. Hot memories. He set his duffle on the floor and laid his hat on top of it.

“Can I get you something to drink? Are you hungry?”

He turned. She stood in the doorway looking so tempting. Yes, he was hungry. But he needed to resist that hunger. “You said nap time was primo for getting stuff done. Were you working when I got here?”

“Yes, but you’ve been on the road for several hours. I have beer and lemonade, or maybe you’d like some—”

“I promised not to interrupt your work. If you don’t mind me rummaging in the kitchen, I can find myself something to drink.”

“I don’t mind.”

He stepped closer. “I just…I’d like to kiss you hello.”

Her gaze softened. “I’d like that, too.”

“Then you can go back to work and I’ll just…get some lemonade or something.”

“Right.”

“Right.” Sliding his arms around her waist, he pulled her close. “You feel so good.”

“You, too.” She wound her arms around his neck.

“Thanks for letting me come up to see you.” He lowered his head.

Her voice was a soft murmur. “I’m glad you’re here.”

He made contact. Ahhh.

She opened to him with a sound low in her throat almost like a cat’s purr. Music to his ears. He delved into her luscious mouth with a groan of pleasure.

Cupping the back of his head, she tightened her grip and deepened the kiss. Her breathing changed.

With great effort, he drew back just enough to be able to speak. “Emma…”

Her breath was warm on his mouth. “Can a girl change her mind?”

“You’re sure?”

“I want you, Gage.”

“All I need to know.” He lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around his hips. Then he dived in for another hot kiss, crossed to the bed, laid her on it and followed her down, his mouth never leaving hers.

She fumbled with his belt while he reached under her shirt and flicked open the front catch of her bra. He had to stop kissing her long enough to strip off her shirt, and while he was at it he pulled off her yoga pants and panties.

Her breasts quivered with her rapid breathing. “Take off your boots this time.”

“That’s for sure.” He sat on the bed to do it and caught himself before dropping them on the floor. Laying them down, he stood and quickly got out of his shirt.

He had condoms in his duffle, but on impulse he’d shoved one in his pocket. Concentrating on efficiency, he took it out, removed both jeans and briefs, and rolled on that little raincoat.

Climbing into bed, he moved between her damp thighs. When he buried his cock in her heat, he let out a deep sigh. “At last.”

She gazed up at him. “It’s only been two days.”

“Seemed like two weeks.”

“I know.”

He began loving her slowly, but then she tightened around him. He wouldn’t be able to last. He wanted this too much, wanted her too much. Stroking faster, he felt the first undulation of her climax.

She gasped. “Gage, I’m—”

“Me, too.” Two more firm thrusts and they both came, breathing hard.

She gulped, swallowing her cries. He clenched his jaw and held back his cries, too. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

Reaching up, she touched his cheek. “He’s awake.”

“He is?”

“Listen. He’s talking to himself.”

He held his breath so he could hear better.

The voice drifting from the other bedroom was soft and breathy. “Ma-ma-ma-ma…da-da-pa-pa-ba-ba-ba…mmmma-ma.” Then came the distinct sound of a raspberry.

Gage looked at her and grinned. “Let’s get dressed and go get him.”

“Okay.”

Swooping down, he planted a quick kiss on her sweet mouth. “Epic welcome.”

“Epic response.”

Five minutes later, he walked with her into Josh’s room. The little guy sat in his crib, talking to his bluebird. He glanced up and his eyes got big. Then he quickly motored over to the railing and pulled himself up. “Da-da!”

Gage managed to talk past the lump in his throat. “Hey, sport.” Walking over, he lifted him out of the crib. “How’s daddy’s best boy?”

“Da-da.” He patted Gage’s cheeks and bounced in his arms.

“Good to see you, too, buddy.” He glanced at Emma. “Not random.”

Her gaze was warm. “Not anymore.” She came over, arms outstretched. “I need to change him.”

“I’ll do it if you’ll supervise.”

“All right. The changing table’s right there.” She pointed to it.

He carried Josh over and laid him down. “Efficient setup.”

“I did my research.”

“I can see that.” He followed her instructions and changed Josh’s diaper with a minimum of fuss. If she hadn’t issued a warning, his son would have peed all over him, but that minor disaster was avoided.

“Well done, cowboy. You’re probably eager to give him that cute owl, now.”

“That plus the rest of it.” He lifted Josh off the table and started toward the door.

“The rest of it?” She followed him down the hall.

“I picked up a couple of other things.”

“For his birthday?”

“I meant them to be for that, but I’ll just give them to him now and get him something else for his birthday.”

“Hm.”

He laughed. “I’m allowed. I’m almost twelve months behind on the gift-giving. Besides, it’s not that much.”

“How many things?”

“Just a few.” He walked into the living room, which also wasn’t quite the same as he remembered, although he hadn’t spent much time in that room when they’d been dating. The Green Bay pennant was still on the wall behind what looked like a new sofa and the Packers throw lay over the back of it. “Did you get a different sofa?”

“Same one. Had it recovered in a fabric that would resist stains.”

“Smart.” The computer desk hadn’t been here before, though, and neither had a large wooden container with a hinged lid. “I’ll bet that’s his toy box.”

“Yep. It’s where I dump everything when he takes his nap. He’ll want to start digging into it soon. In fact, you can put him down and let him roam.”

He hoisted Josh up a little higher so they could look each other in the eye. “What do you say, buddy? Want to get down?”

“Da-da.” The baby leaned forward and carefully pressed his wet little mouth on Gage’s cheek.

He blinked. “Was that a kiss, squirt?” He looked over at Emma. “Did he just give me a kiss?”

“Yep. Kendra and Quinn taught him.”

“That’s so sweet.” He turned toward Josh. “Now Daddy will give you a kiss.” He placed a gentle one on the baby’s soft cheek.

Josh crowed with delight, then started wiggling to get down.

“Okay, buddy, there you go.” After he lowered the baby to the floor, he glanced at Emma. “Dad said the overnight worked out great.”

“They were wonderful with him. I don’t think he missed me much at all.”

He smiled. “You okay with that?”

“I am. Clingy and dependent is not my style. I don’t want it to be his, either. We all went out back to watch the chickens, and Josh is entranced with them. If my landlord would allow it, I’d get some.”

“Would you have time to deal with chickens?”

“I could make the time. Kendra’s busy, too, but she worked it into her schedule.” She turned her attention to Josh, who’d crawled over to the toy box and pulled himself up. “It would be fun for me and great for Josh, but the landlord might not approve it and the zoning might not allow it.”

“Something to check into.” Except…a chicken coop and chickens would mean she couldn’t get away for visits as easily. His plans were still hazy, but if he got a job he wouldn’t be able to drive up here that often, either. And being with Emma and Josh was becoming a priority.

“Yeah, I will. Listen, before I open the toy box, why don’t you give him the owl?”

“Okay.” He walked over to the table beside the door and picked it up. “Let’s see if it’s a hit or a miss.” Approaching Josh, he crouched beside him. “Brought you a little something, buddy.” He held out the owl. “What do you think?”

Josh let out a soft little oh of surprise as he gazed at the owl. Then he reached out and touched it. “Ba-ba?”

“Yes, bird. Owl. Like we saw at Raptors Rise. They make a sound like this—hoo, hoo-hoo.”

Josh stared at him. Then he giggled.

“Like the way that sounds? Hoo, hoo-hoo.”

He giggled louder. “Ba-ba!” He grabbed the owl’s head.

“It’s yours if you want it.” He slowly let go.

Grasping the edge of the toy box for support, Josh clutched the owl to his chest. His voice softened. “Ba-ba.”

“All yours, buddy.” First gift. The kid was so young. He wouldn’t remember this moment. But Gage would never forget it.