Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You look beautiful, Lili.”
Smiling, I dipped my head and stared at the floor. Caden placed his finger under my chin and brought my gaze to his. A lazy smile appeared on his face, and I reached out to take hold of him, fearful my legs would give out.
“A part of me wants to take you to bed and make love to you right now.”
My lips parted slightly, and I almost let out a moan.
He winked. “But we’re going on our first date. Official date. You’re dressed perfectly. Are you comfortable?”
I nodded. “I am.”
Then Caden did something I wasn’t expecting. He dropped to his knee and put his hands on my belly. He closed his eyes before leaning in and kissing my stomach.
Dear God and baby Jesus above, is he trying to melt me into a puddle of desire?
When he opened his eyes, he glanced up. “I realized earlier I haven’t touched you at all, and seeing your little baby bump outlined in this dress…it…” He swallowed hard and drew in a breath before exhaling and looking back at the bump. “This is our baby.”
Tears pricked the back of my eyes as I nodded, even though he wasn’t looking at me.
“When did the doctor say the baby will start hearing us?”
“Around twenty-three weeks.”
Caden kissed it once more, then stood.
Smiling, I said, “You look handsome. I love the black hat compared to your tried and true white one.”
His cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. “We should probably go before we end up not making it tonight.”
I laughed softly as Caden kissed my cheek, then went back around his desk. He did something on his computer, shut it, then motioned for me to go first.
After slipping on my coat, Caden grabbed his and headed out the front door. He walked to the passenger side of his truck and helped me climb in, tossing his coat into the back before getting into the driver’s seat.
As we drove into town, Caden spoke a little bit about the ranch, I talked about the store, then the conversation moved to the baby’s room.
“Can I draw up something I was thinking about for the nursery?”
Surprised, I asked, “You can draw?”
He laughed. “Not great, but I think I can get the idea across to you.”
“I’d love to see your thoughts.”
We turned on Main, and I stared out the window as we drove along. Most of the stores would be closing soon. We drove past Wonderland Whimsy, and I smiled. I’d worked my ass off to build that store, and it would never not be thrilling each time I saw it.
“Moreen closing up today?” Caden asked.
“No, two girls I hired part time are working this afternoon. Moreen opened this morning. I think her plan tonight was to work in her kitchen on some recipes.”
Caden nodded. “For the bakery or café she would like to open someday I’m guessing.”
Caden pulled up and parked outside the town’s small theater. I glanced up to see if anything was playing, but the marquee just read “private event.”
“Are we going to the theater?”
“We are,” Caden replied with a half-smile.
He got out, left his jacket, and jogged around to help me out of the truck. Once we got inside, I came to an abrupt halt.
Standing before me, dressed all in back, was Caden’s mother.
Lilibeth
“Hey, Vivianne. What are you doing here?”
She grinned. “I’m serving as your hostess this evening. Let me take you to your table.”
Confused, I looked at Caden. “Table?”
He simply shrugged, then put his hand on my lower back and prompted me to follow his mother. We walked into the small theater, and I drew in a sharp breath. I hadn’t been to this place since moving to River Falls. It was one of the town’s historic buildings, and I’d heard it was beautiful inside.
We walked into the auditorium, and I stopped so I could take it all in. It was stunning, and something I wouldn’t have expected to see here in River Falls. I looked up, in awe of the ornate and elegant touches throughout the space. The detailed plasterwork looked like something you’d see in an older European country. Murals were painted on the ceiling in the most beautiful and vibrant colors. Chandeliers cast the perfect amount of light and gave the room a romantic ambience.
As we walked farther, we passed red velvet stadium chairs that heightened the room’s elegance.
“This is stunning. I can’t believe I’ve never been here.”
“When I was a kid, we’d beg my parents to sit in the opera boxes so we could feel important. I remember sitting up there watching Elf feeling like I was king of the world.”
I laughed. “Elf?”
Caden had laced his fingers with mine as we made our way to the stage. A table was set up with two chairs. A beautiful arrangement of flowers sat in the middle, with two equally stunning place settings.