Kelsey’s laughed filled the room an hour later after Mikel told her about her brother's offer.

“Told ya. Classic Killian. Can never tell a lie like Abe and too good to be true like Steve Rodgers. I love that big lug of a brother.” she said coming down from her laugh high. She was on the floor playing with the dogs while Mikel got dressed. Knowing the spins to be made she opted for a denim Vans shoes to match the white cotton summer dress and light denim jacket. Kels already french braided her hair and chose her earrings. “He made me laugh so much in that little space of time. I’m thankful,” Mikel said sincerely.

“I’m glad. I know it won’t always be like this but just know you now have another person in your corner.”

“Yeah.”

She sent her friend a smile and proceeded to pack a bag for the day. It was nearing ten, the appointment was at 11 so they will have enough time to relax. “What are you going to do?” she asked.

“Gonna give your kids a little run since their mommy is now fragile then go practice. Corey wanna go out tonight so I’m excited about that.”

Mikel looked at Kelsey, the dreamy look she had on her face only can be made by one person. “He’s a great guy. Kudos to you for grabbing life by the balls.”

Kelsey went back into a laughing fit. “Oh, he was shocked when I told him I loved him. On our third date, he finds the nerve to tell me the same. Thanks for the advice,” she said beaming up at her friend.

“All in a day's work kid,” Mikel said cheekily. A knock sounded on the door then Killian’s smiling face peered around it. “Ready?” he asked. Mikel didn’t even fight the urge to smile back. “Yeah,” she said throwing her iPad and phone in her bag. Grabbing her keys she waved goodbye to Kelsey and followed Killian down the stairs. Silently she admired the broad expanse of his back and the proud upright posture he walked with. Dressed in jeans and a rolled-up red long-sleeved shirt and tan boots with a tan Stetson he was everything a sexy rancher. Walking beside him now she felt so petite yet safe near him. She allowed herself to just enjoy the moment even if she was caressing her wedding and engagement rings on her left hand.

Stepping out to go to the adjoining garage which housed her SUV she was about to go to the driver's side when he too stepped up to that side. Killian turned around and stretched forth his hands for the keys.

“But I...” she began to protest eyeing her baby.

“You drove all the way from New York. Rest Mikel,” he said. The way he said her name had her smiling. “You just want to get behind the wheels to see what it can do,” she teased sticking her tongue out at him while giving him the keys. He grinned and unlocked the van only to run around to her side to open the door for her. “That can be on the top 3 reasons,” he said.

“I got two. What’s the third?”

“I get to drive around the most beautiful woman in Montana.”

The endearing compliment came out of nowhere and left her dumbstruck and blushing. She noticed his grin before he closed the door and came running back to his driver's side. “Thank you,” she said softly fanning her heated cheeks.

“Stating how I see it.”

His voice was husky, his blue eyes twinkled in the morning sun as he started the van. She watched on as he adjusted the seats and mirrors and making sure she was comfortable before reversing out of the garage. He let out a low whistle when the van navigated itself out of the garage giving them a view on the screen of the surroundings behind them. “I am so driving you everywhere in this,” he said after the automated voice told him it was all clear then the temperature of the weather and estimated time of their trip into town. Mikel laughed tapping him behind his head as he got comfortable for the twenty-minute drive. He lazily leaned on the armrest and began to indulge her with a story when he was overseas on R&R.

“This is so freaky,” Killian muttered under his breath to Mikel feeling uneasy with all the female stares. She was trying hard to not laugh aloud as she filled out the documents. Beside her with his leg crossed at his knee, his hat on his thigh along with her bag, Killian looked all the way of doting husband and dad to be. A pang of pain pierced her heart and knew there were more to come along the way but allow Killian’s kind and caring nature to surround her. Burying her head in the clipboard she secretly watched how the other women in the waiting room were eyeing him hungrily. She spotted a few fluffing their hair and sitting upright making their baby bumps look sexy. She wanted to laugh but just couldn’t. They just couldn’t take their eyes off him. It wasn’t their fault. He was a very attractive man. Blue soul-searching eyes, dark thick hair, strong jaw, perfectly shaped lips and a body that will definitely boost a pregnant woman’s sexual hunger.

“It’s like bringing water to the thirsty,” she said below her breath.

“You’re telling me. You think if I move their eyes will too?” he replied. She sat up and stretched for her bag, “Do it.” she whispered. Up for the challenge, he slowly removed his leg from his knee and stretched his lengthy frame in the chair. Giving the ladies view of how his jeans molded to his muscular thighs and his flat stomach which his shirt lay smoothly on. Not only did their eyes move but a few groans were heard and a sharp curse of ‘Sweet baby Jesus.’ Unable to hold it together Mikel escaped to the receptionist with her wallet and filled out documents. Even the woman behind the counter was eyeing Killian, when she spotted the diamond rings on Mikel’s hand she averted her gaze. She was about to correct the woman when Killian came up behind her. “There’s one making the... you know what... gesture at me,” he told her incredulously. Mikel had to laugh, the look on his face was priceless. He stuck by her side until she was finished then led him back to their seats. “The blonde one,” he whispered to her like a kid tattling on a friend.

Feeling sorry for him, she raised her left hand and patted his cheek then smiled up at him. “You are a genius, Miz Rysdale,” he said grinning down at her. To make their show acceptable he kissed her forehead then temple. Though it was for a show it felt natural to Killian to show affection to Mikel. He felt her relax and knew it was something she longed for and missed from her husband. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her back slowly. “It’s okay to be vulnerable. I’m not going to take advantage of that. You miss him and wish he was here to experience this. If I’m stepping on any line tell me,” he said softly against her hair. He watched her mocha skin glow under the office light, her legs crossed gracefully at her knee. Her body was exquisite he won’t deny that but she was grieving and he respected that. “I’m thankful you’re here. You’re making it easier to be here,” she said against his neck.

“I'm here for however long you need me,” he returned kissing her head one last time. She smiled at his words and thanked God for blessing her with great people like him.

“Mikel?!” A nurse called out her name fifteen minutes later of comfortable silence. She was gathering her bag when Killian reached out for her hand. They held each other’s gaze, with a nod from her she understood what he was asking. He smiled in response and escorted her to the examination room.

“And I shall call you Peanut!” Killian proclaimed to the ultrasound picture as they walked down the street to a cafe an hour later. Mikel was laughing heartily at the man beside her. Killian was still on the high from experiencing something so amazing back at the office. There were a few blushes from him when she had to raise her dress and lie back on the table, seeing her soft skin, he got the urge to kiss her stomach and whisper her name on his lips. He admonished himself for wanting a dead man’s pregnant wife. He didn’t want to overstep his boundary.

When they saw the little newly formed human, wondrous silence filled the room. Mikel cried for joy at the fact that there really was a piece of Dominic in her. Killian was simply amazed by the exciting beginning of a new life in her body. It was an experience they won’t forget.

“You are not calling him Peanut,” she stated trying to grab the picture from him.

“You really think it’s going to be a boy,” he asked.

“I always pictured Dominic teaching our little boy how to ride a horse or how to play soccer. Two things he loved.”

Killian watched closely as she smiled at the thought. She loved this man and now he was gone. Who was he to replace someone so dear to her? “Then you will tell him how much his father would have loved him and teach him those things. From the way you speak of Dominic I can tell he was wonderful to you and loved you a lot,” he commented.

She stayed silent as they walked. “We didn’t get the chance to tell each other but we both knew." She admitted to him. He didn’t say anything what could he say. They both missed the chance for a happy life in such a cruel way. He handed her the picture and gently squeezed her hand. Sometimes actions speak much better than words.

When they reached the cafe and found a free table they began to chat about their errands for the rest of the day. A waitress approached them but stopped mid-sentence of her greeting when Killian looked up. “Uh... Ummm... Hi, welcome CiCi’s. Our s-special today is.. are sliders with homemade sweet potato fries and BBQ chicken wraps,” she managed to say giving them their menus. She was so flustered she knocked Killian’s glass of water onto the table. He didn’t make a fuss, he simply chuckled and handed her the now empty glass telling her it was okay. “I’m so sorry. I’ll be right back,” she said hurriedly before dashing away. He was standing sopping up the water as Mikel watched him with amusement in her eyes.

“You cause trouble everywhere cowboy.”

“Oh really," he drawled, “Don’t tell me you didn’t see the man tripping over his feet trying to get a good look at you.”

“No. When did that happen?” she asked thinking back on their walk. Killian chuckled and told her when. She simply shrugged and looked over the menu. Mikel wasn’t really aware of her beauty and he loved that. She just went with the flow. The blustering waitress came back with a new glass of water and apologized once more. “Are you ready to order?” she asked.

“Can I have the bbq wrap with sweet potato fries?” Mikel asked. When the girl finally looked at Mikel her eyes widen in recognition, “I know you. You’re MR. The heiress. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank heavens they caught that man, ” she said sullenly.

“Thank you.”

“And yes you can get those two together.” Killian saw how Mikel’s mood depleted and ordered steak and eggs with a coke just to get the girl moving.

“You okay?”

“I just forgot how publicly Dominic died,” she said laughing humorlessly.

“What do you mean?”

“Nicky was in Boston. On my birthday. He was on his way to the airport to come back home when a high-speed car chase met up with him. The man rammed into Nicky’s car to get him off the road so he can escape the cops. He did it with so much force that Nicky lost control of the car he crashed through a median into an oncoming car, picking up another car along the way as they rolled. Nicky and a woman name Gloria Simon died. She was a grandmother on her way home to see her family.”

Just how much crapload of pain does this woman have to go through? He reached for her hand and held it as the tears silently rolled down her cheek. “The fucked up thing is he left me a message on our home phone minutes before he died. He sounded so happy. The excitement in his voice when he said he had a surprise for me. Our new life he said.”

He pulled her chair closer to him and wrapped his arms around her, not saying anything. “I promise you will heal from all of this,” he said to her.

But will he heal from his own pain?