Unexpected cowboy dad, p.24
Unexpected Cowboy Dad, page 24
Epilogue
Fourth of July
Six months later
“Happy birthday, baby.”
Barely awake, Lucy had staggered into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Beau, as usual, was already up and about since before the sunrise. He looked as he always did, a little like the sun. While she wasn’t feeling particularly glamorous at the moment, Beau pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her lips. He then opened the oven door and drew out a single cupcake with a candle in it. Naturally, it was a white cupcake with red, white, and blue piping. The candle had the appearance of a mini firecracker. He lit it and sang happy birthday to her in his deep bass, wonderfully off-key voice.
She laughed and blew out the candle. “If people are coming over later, I really need to get ready.”
“No hurry. Aren’t you going to take a bite?” He pointed to the cupcake.
“Not for breakfast.” She made a face.
Lately, she’d been feeling out of sorts, her stomach churning at odd times. She hated to be sick on her birthday. Today she felt even worse, but she didn’t want to tell Beau and ruin the grilling party today. Their families and friends were coming over and then later they’d drive to the lake to watch the fireworks.
Six months ago, she thought she’d be in Seattle meeting new men and starting a whole new life. The same boxes she’d already packed made their way to Beau’s house two months ago, when he’d finally talked her into moving in with him. She loved falling asleep next to him every night. Neither one of them had ever lived with someone before this, so they were in brand new territory. Her mother wasn’t crazy about the arrangement, thinking Lucy should only move in with Beau were a ring involved. But Lucy wasn’t old-fashioned, and she wasn’t exactly in a hurry, either. Six months ago, they’d both been through such life-altering changes.
The day of Jackson and Winona’s concert, she’d later found out the terrible news that Charlotte wasn’t actually Beau’s daughter. For weeks, she’d seethed with anger at the woman who, in Lucy’s mind, had taken advantage of a good man for a few days of “me” time. To someone else, it might have been a relief but not to Beau Stephens. He’d become attached to the little girl, not to mention how his entire family greeted her with open arms. Sadie cried when she heard the news, and so had his mother, Wanda.
But Lucy wasn’t a crier. Never had been. She flew right into “planning the woman’s demise” mode. All Lucy could say was she had better not run into Rachel anytime soon. It would take years to forgive this slight because it hadn’t been against her. Rachel had hurt the man Lucy loved and she wasn’t the forgiving type when it came to her man.
He tipped his hat. “I’m going to go out and check on the animals but don’t eat that cupcake without me.”
Lucy wasn’t even sure she could stomach it at all today. She’d be lucky not to pitch her lunch. She showered, then dried off, and pulled the box from under the sink where she’d hidden it yesterday among all her hair products where Beau would never look. Better safe than sorry. It was an early home pregnancy test, which she was sure would be negative. The only reason Lucy was even taking the test was because of something that happened last month.
In a wild moment, all barriers were down, and she and Beau forgot about protection. They. Just. Forgot. But hey, it was only once. They were very good about that sort of thing for the most part, but that day he’d walked in after riding his horse looking like Rip from Yellowstone and Lucy attacked him.
It didn’t mean she was pregnant because she wasn’t the most regular woman anyway. And last week, she’d given a ride to Beulah, who came down with the flu the following day. It was just making its way through town, that was all. She was only the first to fall. Next week, she’d probably be nursing Beau through the flu, who would behave as though he were dying.
After the requisite minutes were up, Lucy checked the results. They were positive. She was pregnant. Pregnant. It was true what everyone said, it only took one time. The same thing had happened to Sadie. But Lincoln had already asked her to marry him. The planning was just out of order. This must be a Stephens family curse.
And if Lucy’s mother didn’t like the “shacking up together” look, she was going to hate the pregnant before marriage version. But damn it all, Lucy was thirty-three today and maybe it was about time she had a baby. Sure. Beau would be fine with this, too. He’d already been through this scare once before. Even if, okay, they weren’t married, and this could rush things along. Lucy didn’t want to rush things along and she did not want to get married because she was pregnant. Of course, she loved Beau, and he loved her. They were forever but just didn’t quite feel ready for the marriage certificate. Well, she didn’t. Probably. Beau would of course suggest they get married, at which point Lucy would always wonder if it was because of their baby. Their baby. They were having a baby. She looked at herself in the mirror.
“Ready or not, you’re going to be someone’s mother.”
Then something very unusual happened: she burst into tears.
Beau couldn’t remember ever being this worried. Lucy didn’t seem to be having much fun today. She claimed her stomach was upset but then he’d catch her staring off into space. It was her birthday and nearly everyone was here at their home to celebrate. Spilling out into the patio, the kids kicking a ball outside. And still she hadn’t touched the cupcake.
Beau had to keep his eye on it, seeing as he wouldn’t want anyone else to eat it. That could be dangerous. Nestled among the blue frosting in a little protected plastic cove was the ring. A few weeks ago, he’d gone to Kerrville and sought out the best conflict-free diamond ring he could afford. It was a carat in the shape of a diamond, perfect for Lucy. When she’d told him Lenny named her after the Beatles song, he hadn’t stopped laughing for a whole minute. Leave it to Lenny.
He’d wanted to marry her since the night she took him home after Winona and Jackson’s concert. After he’d told her everything, it was Lucy who made it all better. Lucy who washed the pain away. She hadn’t needed to say a word, just the look of compassion in her eyes was enough for him. Far from what Beau had expected, nobody thought he’d been a chump. They were all pretty upset with Rachel, and Riggs even offered his services to have her brought up on abandonment charges.
It would serve her right, but Beau decided to move on. At least he’d learned a valuable lesson. Until then he had no idea how ready he was to be a father. Now, it could happen with Lucy. Someday. Neither one of them was quite ready, even if he felt a bit ahead of her. He was a couple of years older, so it made sense.
This year was an unusual one, because for the first time Lenny didn’t tell the “miracle baby” story of finding Lucy on the church steps. Also, even though Lucy’s mother had been invited to the celebrations, she still wasn’t comfortable in coming to Stone Ridge. Worried she’d face too much judgement and that it would thwart her sobriety. Lucy didn’t push the issue. She saw Jacqueline from time to time but not often. Instead, she’d grown closer to Lenny and the rest of his immediate family.
She had a forgiving nature so eventually he’d stop worrying she’d go after Rachel and wind up on an episode of Dateline.
They all sang happy birthday and Lucy blew out the candles on the sheet cake Esperanza had baked for her. It was the same one every year, the one she’d had since she was a kid. Gifts were exchanged, and Beau sat on his hands. He was sorely tempted to fish out that ring and give it to her now in front of everyone but then they’d lose their private moment. The surprise would be ruined.
“What’s wrong with our girl?” Lenny said, stepping up to Beau while Lucy was opening presents.
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
“She looks a little…I don’t know, green in the gills. Tired. Maybe she’s got that flu bug Beulah had last week.”
Yeah, that had to be the problem. Beau told himself it wasn’t because she’d decided he was too much trouble, too much of a pain to live with, or worse, that her family didn’t approve. The kiss of death. Esperanza wasn’t crazy about their arrangement, but Beau planned on asking Lucy to marry him. He’d just been waiting for the right moment. And today was being robbed from him. It would have been perfect to ask on her birthday. Another way to memorialize the day as special since she was no longer the “miracle baby.” She couldn’t kid him. Lucy was missing that notoriety just a little bit.
Finally, it was time for everyone to pile into trucks and make the drive to watch the fireworks coming across the lake from the neighboring town of Nothing. They were famous for their fireworks show, and nothing else. Beau had blankets, a couple of chairs, and that damn cupcake. This was happening. Either that, or she was breaking up with him. He already had a speech prepared as to why breaking up wasn’t a good idea.
Beau laid out the blankets and Lucy took a seat cross-legged. Before the show started and took the spotlight, Beau pulled out the cupcake. “Here.”
“You still have that?” She practically gagged. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’m too full still.”
“From what? You haven’t eaten much today, not even birthday cake!”
“I know. I guess…I’m just not hungry.” She sighed.
“What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?”
“What?” She blinked. “Of course not. You’re still perfect.”
“Nobody’s perfect, baby.” He pulled her into his arms, between his legs. “You’ve got to tell me what’s wrong. I know there’s something. Remember, I know you. You’re not feeling well. Are you sick?”
She hesitated a moment too long. “Nothing’s wrong. Here, let me have that cupcake.”
He handed it to her. “Be careful eating it.”
She rolled her eyes, then licked at the icing.
“There’s something…wait a second…I think someone left a utensil in this cupcake! Who made this? It’s hard like metal…look, it’s…oh my god.”
She turned to him, a look of genuine surprise in her eyes. He’d done it. He’d stumped her. She was speechless. He was already on the floor, so it was an easy roll to one knee.
“Lucy Lorenzo, I’ve loved you for half my life. Will you marry me?”
“I…I can’t believe this is happening. You have the most amazing timing.”
“No, not really. I almost couldn’t get you to eat this stinking cupcake. It’s your birthday, how hard can that be?”
“I mean…you’re really asking me to marry you?”
“Are you really saying yes?”
“Yes, dummy! Yes!” She pretty much screamed those words, which caught the attention of everyone in the vicinity.
Before long they were surrounded by family and friends. Sadie, Lincoln and their kids, Eve and Jackson and their daughter, a pregnant Daisy and Wade, Lillian Carver, Esperanza and Art, and of course his mother and father. One advantage of doing this on her birthday was already having the family assembled. Phones were out, snapping pictures.
“At last!” Beulah Hayes said, walking up to the commotion. “I never thought we’d get you married off, Beau Stephens! I’m here to tell you, as I live and breathe, there is a God!”
“Amen, Ms. Beulah, amen. Preach!” said Lenny.
Beau’s proposal was punctuated by one of the most spectacular fireworks he’d seen in years.
Later that night, he got a shock of his own.
“You’re going to be a daddy.” She showed him the test with the double solid pink lines.
That’s when he realized that indeed his timing was rather perfect for once. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. I hope…I hope you’re happy.” She chewed on her lower lip. “I know we didn’t plan this.”
“We couldn’t have done this any better if we did.” He took her in his arms. “I love you, Lucy Lorenzo. You’re my girl, and you always have been.”
Thank you for reading Beau and Lucy’s romance!
The series is now complete. That’s seven books in total, all connected but standalone reads. Always a complete book, always a happily ever after.
Good news! This series is coming to audio in 2024, produced by Tantor Media.
For more small town romance similar to this, read my Charming, Texas series with Harlequin Special Edition, the Wilders series, and Starlight Hill. For romcoms sprinkled with some magical realism and set in the city of San Francisco, read my Kiss series.
If you like what you’ve read here, be sure to sign up for my newsletter list here to keep in touch. I have a monthly contest exclusive for subscribers.
The Residents of Stone Ridge
Beulah Hayes: President of the Ladies of SORROW
Sadie Stephens: youngest child of Wanda and Merle; married to Lincoln Carver
Beau Stephens: oldest child of Wanda and Merle; engaged to Lucy Lorenzo
Samuel “Sammy” Stephens: oldest child of Lincoln and Sadie
Faith Stephens: youngest child of Lincoln and Sadie
Wanda Stephens: mother of Beau and Sadie
Merle Stephens: father of Beau and Sadie
Lillian “Mima” Carver: grandmother, matriarch
Albert Carver: grandfather (deceased)
Hank Carver: father of Lincoln, Jackson, and Daisy
Maggie Mae Carver: mother of Hank’s children (divorced from Hank)
Lincoln Carver: oldest son of Hank and Maggie Mae; married to Sadie
Jackson Carver: youngest son (middle child) of Hank and Maggie Mae; married to Eve
Daisy Carver: daughter (youngest child) of Hank and Maggie Mae; married to Wade Cruz
Wade Cruz: rodeo cowboy; married to Daisy
Eve Iglesias: local veterinarian; married to Jackson Carver
Lillian “Lily” Pearl Carver: oldest child of Jackson and Eve
Brenda Iglesias: Eve’s mother
Ricardo Iglesias: Eve’s father (divorced from Brenda)
Lucy Lorenzo: bartender at the Shady Grind; engaged to Beau Stephens
Esperanza Lorenzo: adoptive mother of Lucy
Arturo “Art” Lorenzo: adoptive father of Lucy
Leonard “Lenny” Gray: jack-of-all-trades; secret grandfather of Lucy
Jacqueline Gray: birth mother of Lucy
Noelle Lee: Lenny’s first wife; biological grandmother of Lucy
Rusty Jones: old rodeo cowboy; biological father of Daisy
John Truehart: richest man in the county and horse breeder; father of Jolette Marie
Jolette Marie Truehart: only daughter of the wealthy Truehart family; engaged to Levi Cooper
Levi Cooper: horse wrangler; engaged to Jolette Marie
Calvin and Marge Henderson: (deceased) adoptive parents of Riggs, Sean, and Colton
Riggs Henderson: rancher and eldest Henderson brother; married to Winona
Sean Henderson: rancher and middle Henderson brother; married to Bonnie Lee
Colton Henderson: rancher; soldier; youngest Henderson brother; married to Jennifer
Winona James: Nashville superstar; ex-wife of Jackson Carver; married to Riggs Henderson
Joe “Joey” Henderson: twin son of Riggs and Winona; twin brother of Cal
Calvin “Cal” Henderson: twin son of Riggs and Winona; twin brother of Joey
Mary Henderson: daughter of Riggs and Winona
Bonnie Lee Wheeler: married to Sean Henderson
Jennifer Walker: married to Colton Henderson
Horace Walker: father of Jennifer; former military mentor to Colton
Dr. Judson Grant: one of Sadie’s many suitors
Trixie Delacorte: midwife at the new women’s clinic
Twyla: musician; protégé of Winona James
Jeremy Pine: single man of Stone Ridge and frequent suitor
Annabeth Dantzer: veterinarian; Eve’s partner at the Lonestar Veterinary Clinic
Caroline: owner of Triple S catering
Shula Jackson: manager at the Wild Rose; owner of new flower shop, Buttercup Blooms
Lenora: Ellie’s mother
Jimmy Ray: Sadie’s student
Pamela Ann: mother of Jimmy Ray
Derek: father of Jimmy Ray
Ellie: Sadie’s student
Bobby Joe: Sadie’s student
Priscilla Beauchamp: owner and manager of the Shady Grind
Lloyd Hayes: husband of Beulah; owner of The General Store
Pastor June Marie: pastor at Trinity Church
The Ladies of SORROW: (Society of Reasonable, Respectable, Orderly Women)
Beulah Hayes: current President
Maybelle Wheeler: sister of Beulah; mother of Bonnie Lee
Birdie Ruth: only daughter of Beulah
Ada Armstrong: aunt of Dr. Judson Grant
Wimbreth Williams (deceased): founder of SORROW; author of the book Men of Stone Ridge
About the Author
Heatherly Bell is the bestselling author of over fifty-six titles under two different pen names. She lives for coffee, craves cupcakes, and occasionally wears real pants.
She lives in Northern California with her family, is all over social media, and loves to hear from readers.
You may reach her at
heatherly@heatherlybell.com
Also by Heatherly Bell
LUCKY COWBOY
NASHVILLE COWBOY
BUILT LIKE A COWBOY
COWBOY, IT’S CHRISTMAS
MR. COWBOY
SOLDIER COWBOY
WINNING MR. CHARMING
THE CHARMING CHECKLIST
A CHARMING CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENT
A CHARMING SINGLE DAD
A CHARMING DOORSTEP BABY
ONCE UPON A CHARMING BOOKSHOP
COMING SOON:
HER FAKE BOYFRIEND
30 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS
For a complete book catalog, please visit the author’s website.
Heatherly Bell, Unexpected Cowboy Dad
