I can’t help smiling when Nixon drives us under the arch that leads to the ranch. It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and I haven’t told the family I’m coming home. Or that I’m bringing Nixon. Or about the other surprise I have for them.

When I glance over at Nixon, he’s watching me with a smile of his own in place.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. Just admiring how gorgeous you are when you’re up to something.”

“I’m not up to something.”

“You are definitely up to something.”

I giggle. I’m twenty-nine years old, and I giggle, for God’s sake.

“I can’t help it. I’m just happy. And excited.”

“I didn’t realize turkey was such a turn-on for you, but I’m making a mental note.”

“It’s not the turkey.”

“What do you think they’ll say when you tell them?”

“I think they’ll be happy. And shocked. And then they’ll wonder if all we’ve done is have sex for the last two weeks.”

“Well, to be fair, other than taking care of basic needs like food and hygiene, that is all we’ve done for the last two weeks. But when they find out you’re two months along, they’ll know you got pregnant at the ranch.”

I shake my head, grinning. “That still boggles my mind.”

“The Holt Method. I warned you about it.”

I laugh outright. “You did warn me. Can’t say I didn’t know.” I’d had a sinus infection and had taken some antibiotics before returning to the ranch. I didn’t think anything about it interfering with my birth control, mainly because I wasn’t planning on having sex. And that was the last thing on my mind when Nixon came to my room that night, of course. I wasn’t even suspicious when my period was so light right after I came back to Colorado. I assumed it was stress-related.

It wasn’t.

“No regrets?” he asks me.

“Not even a teeny tiny one. I couldn’t be happier.”

His smile turns into one of deep satisfaction. “Good.”

“You’re not having regrets, are you?”

“Hell no! I’d keep you barefoot and pregnant with my babies until you’re eighty if that were physically possible.”

“You might not say that when I get all fat.”

He reaches for my hand and brings my fingers to his lips. “You’re going to be the most beautiful pregnant woman and mother the world has ever seen.”

My heart melts right inside my chest. “I hope that’s the way you see me.”

“It is. I promise.” After a short pause, he asks, “You really think they’ll be pleased? I mean we’re not married. I’m sure it’s not an ideal situation, especially for your dad.”

When Nixon stops in the driveway in front of the house, I reach over to cup his cheek. He admires and respects my father, and I know he won’t want to disappoint him. “When they see how happy I am, none of them will care about that. Not even Daddy.”

He turns his face, so he can press his lips to my palm. “You do look pretty happy.”

“That’s because I am. I’m ecstatic. Life couldn’t be any better. Not in any way.”

“So it doesn’t bother you that we’re not married?”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t want us to get married just because of a baby.” I smile into his eyes. I’m careful how I phrase it because I know what he’s getting at. Nixon is going to propose to me at some point. I don’t know when and I don’t know the details, but I know it’s coming. He doesn’t know that I know, but I know.

One day, while he was in the shower, his phone rang. It was a Texas number, and I answered it, thinking it might be something to do with the ranch. It wasn’t. It was a jeweler, confirming that the diamond he’d special ordered for the engagement ring had arrived and the ring would be ready in two weeks. Once I realized what I’d done, I swore the man to secrecy and asked him to call back and leave Nixon a message. He did, and Nixon was none the wiser. Me, on the other hand, I’ve been about to explode with happiness. I’ve been as pregnant with that information for the last few days as I have been with this baby.

Just when it seemed my life was falling apart with no hope of happiness anywhere in sight, everything turned around at once and fell right into place. I can’t imagine things being any more perfect. I know I’ll be saying the same thing on my wedding day, and again at the birth of our first child. I’ll just keep getting happier and happier. But right now, I just can’t conceive of how that’s even possible.

“I wouldn’t marry you because of a baby or anything else. If we get married, it will be because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“And that’s the only reason I’d say yes.”

“But you would say yes? No aversions to marriage that I should know about?”

I stifle my grin, so he doesn’t get suspicious. “Only marriage to anyone except you.”

He shifts into park and turns to me. “You ready?”

My smile is bright and broad. “I’m so ready.” Nixon doesn’t move right away, but just stares across the seat at me. “What is it?”

He shakes his head slowly, like he’s in awe. “Never have I ever loved someone as much as I love you.”

My whole being, my whole world vibrates with unspeakable joy. “Never will I ever get tired of hearing that.”

And I won’t. That’s one of the few nevers I’m okay with.