Chirp(63)

She shaded her eyes. “Yeah.”

Damn, she looked so natural there. As if she belonged on a farm, digging in the dirt, but she didn’t. No more than he belonged in her world. “So—Seth got a job offer from Montgomery Steel. Imagine that.”

“Good. Now he can support Hanna and Noah.”

“Thank you.”

She went back to work. “No problem. Just wielding my heiress power.”

From her tone, last night’s talk had not set her straight, only pissed her off. Damn.





Hanna


Hanna spent most of the night rehearsing how she’d break the news to Noah. Sitting on the edge of his bed, she ran her fingers through his hair. His big brown eyes blinked open, and he reached out his arms. She pulled him in close. “Good morning, sweet boy. I have a surprise for you.”

He sat back and scanned the room. “A present?”

“Better than that.”

“What?”

Unable to hold back, Hanna burst into tears.

“What’s wrong, Momma? Why are you crying?”

She pulled him into another hug. “Because I’m happy. You’re meeting your daddy today.”

“He’s here? To see me?”

“Yes.”

“Where?” Noah bounced out of bed and stripped off his pajamas. “Hurry, Momma. Help me get my clothes on.”

In spite of her tears, Hanna couldn’t help but laugh. “Not so fast. He won’t be here until ten.”

“No. I want to see him now!”

“Okay. Okay.” She pulled her cell from her pocket. “Why don’t you call him? I’ll dial the number.” She punched it in and handed the phone over. “When he answers, tell him who you are.”

“Hello, this is Noah. I want you to come see me now.” He listened for a second, then grinned. “Yes, sir. But you better hurry cause Momma’s crying.”

By the time Seth parked in the drive, Hanna’s emotions still weren’t under control. She didn’t wait for him to knock; she jerked open the door and threw herself against him.

He stroked her hair. “Don’t cry. It’s okay.” Then he focused on his son, knelt, and stretched out his arms. But the little boy didn’t move.

Hanna walked to where Noah stood, and he clung to her legs. She patted him. “It’s okay. He’s your daddy, and he loves you.” She gently nudged him away. “Don’t be bashful.”

Seth thrust his arms wide again. “I’ve been trying to get back to you and your momma for a long time. I promise, I’ll never leave you again.” Noah ran into his waiting arms. Then it was Seth’s turn to cry, and Hanna’s heart swelled. She dropped to her knees and hugged both of them.

After a few minutes, she stood but Seth continued to hold his son and whispered in his ear, “Guess what?”

“What?”

“I’m taking you and your mom to Mr. Henderson’s house for you to pick out a pony.”

Noah widened his eyes. “A real pony?”

“Yes.”

Wheeling around to face his mother, Noah shouted, “He’s getting me a real pony!”

“Seth!” Before she could say anything else, he raised his hands.

“Come on, Hanna. I have a lot of years to make up for. I need to give him something spectacular. After the horse business is squared away, we’ll go to breakfast, because I have another surprise. Let’s go.”

“Wait!” Noah ran to his bedroom and came back wearing his cowboy hat and carrying his bandanna. “Tie this on me.”

Seth looked at Hanna. “Let me do it.” He draped the kerchief around the boy’s neck and knotted it. Then he pulled him into a hug and kissed his cheek. “You look like a real cowboy.”

Noah took off in a gallop around the room. “I’m getting a pony! I’m getting a pony!”

On his third pass, Hanna grabbed him. “Settle down, or you’ll be too tired to ride the real one.”

He pulled away from her and hugged Seth’s legs. “Thank you, Daddy.”

Seth lifted him into his arms. “You’re welcome.”

Noah leaned toward Hanna and patted her shoulder. “Aw, Momma. Don’t cry again.”

She wiped her face. “Sorry.”

Seth set his son’s feet back on the floor, and Noah ran out the front door. As Hanna and Seth caught up, she looped her arm in his. “What’s the surprise? Don’t make me wait. I can’t take much more excitement.”

Seth chuckled and told her about his job offer. When they reached the truck, he leaned her against the fender and took her mouth. “I love you, Hanna, and I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

“Stop smooching and come on!” Noah yelled.

Hanna and Seth laughed.

When they arrived at Mr. Henderson’s, the old man had two ponies in the corral. Noah ran over to them as soon as Seth opened the door.

Seth waved. “Hey, Mr. Henderson.”

“Good morning, Seth—Hanna. Either one of these will work for the boy.” He focused on Hanna. “I told Seth yesterday, Noah needs to learn to ride bareback before he uses a saddle. But when he’s ready, I have several to choose from. I’ll even give him lessons.”