Karmen
Years Later

“Are you sure you can take her?” I ask.

Penny snarls, offended. “Of course I can take her. Do you know how angry Charlotte would be if her best cousin went to some other aunt or uncle? You deserve a vacation and Sasha’s practically self-sufficient.”

Over the years, Duke and I have traveled from time to time, but it’s typically always been with Sasha. This year, for our anniversary, he booked us a trip to a small bed-and-breakfast where we’re not allowed to think about anything other than each other.

“If she gets ornery, give us a call.” 

“Momma, what’s ornery?” Sasha asks.

“You should know that word by now.” 

“They only teach us lame words in school, Mom.”

“It’s what Aunt Penny gets like when she huffs and puffs.”

Sasha giggles. 

“Guilty as charged.” Penny chuckles. “But seriously, Kar, you need this, especially with the new baby on the way.” 

“Thanks.”

When I’m finally able to force myself away, I hop into Duke’s truck and we take off. 

The drive takes nearly six hours with how often I have to pee, and when we finally pull into our destination, a small town that boasts a festive-like atmosphere, I’m eager to get up and move. 

We tour the attractions, enjoy the shops, and eat an early dinner, focusing on each other.

It’s so easy with Duke. He never gets mad, and he always makes my happiness his utmost priority. 

Which is why I knew it was time for baby number two. He’d wanted one for a while, but I was so busy enjoying Sasha’s youngest years that I put it off. Not that he seems bothered. At eight, Sasha is going to make an excellent big sister, and we’ll hopefully avoid sibling rivalry.

A street artist draws caricatures of us, which we promptly send to Penny to show Sasha, and we share a mug of cider bought from a street vendor, who presses it on the spot.

It’s quieter than the festivals we have, and while it’s not supposed to be a work trip, I can’t help but take notes.

Still full of energy, we take a small boat ride in an enormous pond that has romantic lights floating on the surface. 

“I have to hand it to them. Somehow, this town managed to keep its cozy feel while bringing in enough tourists to keep afloat.”

“They do a good job with all the trails they have, bringing people away from the center of town while still keeping the money in the town,” Duke says.

We head back to land, but before going to our room, Duke takes me on a carriage ride through the streets, and I fall in love with the little town that is so unlike our own.

“We might need to get away more often,” Duke tells me. 

“That’ll be hard when the baby arrives.” I rub my enormous stomach. 

“We can get a nanny that’ll travel with us as Axel does.” 

“I suppose we could ask him for recommendations.”

I brush my teeth and video chat with Sasha from bed, who is excited to tell us that a bunch of chicks are hatching. For a long time, I’d felt guilty about not giving her a sibling closer to her age, but seeing her as close as one can be to Charlotte brings me relief on the matter. 

After I hang up, Duke lifts the blanket. “Get over here.”

I burrow into his nook, relishing the warmth of his hard, muscular body. 

In all the years we’ve been together, he’s only grown more handsome, and it pains me when I see women visiting the town, casting lustful gazes at him. 

But I’ve never once caught him returning such stares, and whenever a woman approaches him, all he talks about is me and Sasha. 

How I got so lucky, I’ll never know.

“Kar?” Duke asks once we’re tucked under the sheets. He threads his fingers through my hair lazily, teasing my shoulders with their feather-light touch.

“Yeah, Duke?” 

“I love you more than I ever have,” he confesses. “More than I thought possible.”

Could my heart grow any bigger? 

Impossible. 

“You know, I wouldn’t think it possible, but I love you more, too.”

The End

For the next book in the series featuring Wes & Fiona, click HERE!

To go back to the other bonus scenes, click HERE!