Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(91)

“You did great, Paige. She’s perfect.” My husband whips off his shirt, wipes her little face, and then wraps it around her. The nurse takes a minute to check on the baby and then helps me into the wheelchair.

“Why do you look like that”—I wave a hand around my thirst trap of a husband—“and I look like this?” A limp strand of hair hangs in my face, and I blow it away.

Rhett gives me a crooked grin. “You’re gorgeous and so fucking strong. I’m so proud of you.” He kisses me.

The nurse covers my lap with a blanket and wheels me inside while my husband carries our daughter.

After the doctors check me and the baby, we get admitted and moved to a room so we can be observed for two days.

Rhett’s perched on the bed next to me as we watch our little sweetheart. I kiss her fuzzy head. “Welcome to the world, Daniella.”

I glance up at my husband, who beams a proud smile. “You did good, Mama. She’s incredible. Just like you.”

An hour later, my best friend blows through our door. She’s carrying a tower of balloons, a basket of mommy gifts, and an armful of flowers. The moment she sees Ella, she bursts into tears.

“I can’t believe you had a baby. I love her already.” She leans over to hug me and kiss the top of Ella’s head.

When Rhett ducks into the hallway to make a phone call, she whispers, “I have a secret.”

“He proposed!”

“Sadly, no.” She sighs.

I take her hand in mine. “Give it time. Y’all just moved in together.”

Baylee nods slowly. “It’s just… I don’t have that much time… before the baby arrives.”

My eyes widen. “You’re pregnant?”

“Shh!” She glances at the door. “I haven’t told anyone. You’re the only person who knows.”

I tilt my head. “Except Sean, right?”

Her eyes go squinty. “I haven’t gotten the nerve to tell him yet.”

“Baylee Reyes. Since when have you ever wussed out on a confrontation?”

Her shoulders slump. “Once or twice, I’m afraid.”

She looks so dejected, it breaks my heart. I pull her into a hug. “Don’t squish the baby.”

My best friend chuckles. “I would never squish our princess.” She coos at Daniella. “On the bright side, we always said we wanted to have kids at the same time.”

A knot forms in my throat. “Our children will grow up together.”

We both make a silly squeal just as Rhett pops back into the room. He lifts a brow. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“Don’t ask,” I agree. “I’m sworn to secrecy.”

Baylee nods. “We’ve got the sisterhood of silence over here.”

He chuckles. “I would never do anything to infringe upon the sisterhood.”

Leaning over, he kisses me, and I swoon. “You did good today, husband.”

He kisses me again. “You kicked ass today, wife.”

Baylee rolls her eyes. “Y’all are kinda disgusting. No wonder you got preggers weeks after your wedding. Now give me this baby so she can get to know her auntie Bay.”

An hour after Baylee’s visit, Ty busts through the door. “Where’s my beautiful niece?” His whole face lights up when he sees her. “She’s gorgeous, Paige. You did good.”

In the last few months, Ty and I have spent more time together, grabbing lunch and hanging out. Rhett’s invited him over several times for dinner, and we’re finally at a place where Ty feels like family should. It helps that he never brings Irma around.

No sooner does Ty leave than Rhett’s brothers stream in one at a time, carrying flowers and stuffed animals and chocolate. I make grabby hands for the sweet treats as they pass my daughter around.

“She’s a beauty,” Beau says as he runs his finger over her crown of auburn hair.

Gabriel, who’s sitting on the hospital bed with me, tugs on my gown. “Can I hold her?”

“Sure.” I hug him. “I’m sure she’d love to be held by her big brothers.”

Austin jumps up and down. “I wanna hold her too.”

I pat the bed. “Come sit with me, and I’ll show you how to do it. You always have to hold her head.”

His brows furrow adorably. “Why? Does it come off?”

I snort. “No, but she’s delicate.”

Gabriel’s shoulders slump. “So we can’t take her fishing yet?”

“Not yet, but soon.” I glance at my husband, who’s giving me that look, the one that makes babies grow in my belly. “Soon, she’ll be chasing after y’all and wanting to do all the things that you and your friends do.” I remember the long days of running after Danny and Rhett. How they never made me feel unwelcome. How Rhett used to make me crowns of wildflowers.

The thought makes my eyes burn.

My husband lifts Austin and the two of them sit on the other side of me. He wraps me with his strong arm and kisses the top of my head. Then he whispers, “I have a feeling Danny is really happy today.”

I swallow past the knot in my throat and lean into his strong chest. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

Later, when it’s just me, Ella, and Rhett, he stretches out next to me as I feed the baby.