Caribou Crossing by Susan Fox Read Free Book Online Page B

daughter liked snuggling up together with a book at bedtime—and he liked sneaking a peek from the doorway while they did it.
    Tonight, though, by the time he made it back from town, singing along to songs on CXNG, the local country and western radio station, he found his wife waiting for him in the front room.
    â€œJessie asleep?” he asked.
    â€œCouldn’t keep her eyes open.” She rose and came into his arms. “Mmm, you smell of snow, all crisp and fresh.” She rubbed her warm nose against the cool skin of his throat.
    He dipped his head and kissed the top of her silky hair. “And you smell of turkey.”
    â€œTurkey? That’s not so romantic.”
    â€œSure it is. It’s delicious.” He dropped a kiss by her ear and murmured, “Edible.”
    She chuckled, then said suggestively, “Well then, if you’re not too full from dinner . . .”
    â€œThere’s always room for more dessert. When it’s you.” Talk about the perfect way to end a wonderful day. His lips moved across her cheek to meet hers for a long, sizzling kiss.
    She smiled up at him. “You still make my heart skip.”
    â€œGood to hear.” She made his heart do cartwheels. Her effect below his belt was pretty spectacular, too. “Let’s go upstairs and you can try on your new nightie.”
    â€œMmm, but what if it doesn’t keep me warm?” she teased, her dimple flashing.
    He grinned, remembering their daughter’s innocent comment. “Wife, you’re going to be plenty warm.”
    They broke apart and she cast one long look at the Christmas tree before he unplugged the lights. “Our first Christmas at Bly Ranch,” she said. “I’d say it was perfect.”
    He twined his fingers with hers. “It’ll be perfect once we’re in bed together.”
    Hand in hand, they went up the stairs. At the top, he kissed her again and said with satisfaction, “This is going to be the best year yet.”

Chapter 5
    Again, Wade woke with a jerk, his neck stiff from falling asleep in the chair by Miriam’s bed. He checked her face. Still and white, almost as white as the hospital sheets. Her eyes were closed, but the fingers twined through his felt reassuringly warm.
    His gaze went to Rose. She was awake, her face almost as pale as Miriam’s and far more strained.
    â€œShe moved a little and her eyes almost opened once,” she said. “I think she’s coming back to us.”
    He glanced at his watch. Almost noon. Yes, Miriam was sure to be awake soon. “What are we going to tell her?” The words grated out.
    â€œThe truth.” Her bloodshot eyes filled with tears and she pressed trembling fingers to her brow and temples. Then she stood abruptly, said, “Ladies’ room,” and went out the door.
    The truth. Yeah, they had to tell Miriam the truth. And it would break her heart.
    It was his fault. He was supposed to take care of her, and he hadn’t.
    Like him, she’d been working flat out. She was energetic and didn’t exactly complain, but she’d joked more than once that owning the ranch was sure different from going out there for weekend rides. He saw her yawn over dinner, pick at her food, rub her back, move slowly and painfully. Though he hated to see her like that, what choice did they have? They needed the money from her job, he worked as many hours as he could stay awake, and they sure couldn’t afford to hire anyone to do the housework or bookkeeping.
    Still, he’d been raised to believe that a man took care of his woman. Maybe it was an old-fashioned notion, but Caribou Crossing was ranch country and he was a rancher. Ranchers weren’t exactly known for being newfangled. Yeah, it had hurt his pride to know that his pregnant wife had to work her pretty little butt off so they could make ends meet. But he hadn’t found a solution. And now, here she