Safe At Hawk's Landing

“How’s she doing, Honey?”

Harrison. She heard the smack of his lips as he kissed Honey, stirring other emotions inside her. She’d watched those lovebirds with envy the last couple of months.

Harrison was lucky to have found a wonderful woman like Honey. She was lucky, too. Harrison seemed completely devoted to his wife.

“She’s been resting some,” Honey said.

“That reporter Gerald Ingram just aired the story that Charlotte survived.”

This time, Lucas. His voice was slightly deeper than Harrison’s. And darker. Intimidating.

“Oh, my God,” Honey said. “That’s not good, is it?”

“Afraid not,” Harrison said grimly.

Charlotte shifted, pushing herself higher on the pillow to prop up. The room blurred into darkness, but she sensed the presence of Honey and Harrison and Lucas.

“I didn’t know he was a reporter,” Charlotte said. “He said he was a cop.”

“Bastard,” Lucas said. “He plays dirty.”

“It’s not your fault,” Harrison said. “We should have anticipated that he’d try to sneak in and prevented it.”

“The nurse ran him out.” Charlotte ran a hand through her tangled hair. “You think one of those men will try to kill me?”

An awkward tense silence followed.

“You don’t have to answer that,” Charlotte said. “I guess that’s obvious.”

“We aren’t going to let anything happen to you,” Honey said.

“She’s right,” Lucas agreed.

Harrison cleared his throat. “We’ll assign a guard to watch your room while you’re here.”

“I’m going home as soon as possible,” Charlotte said. She hated hospitals.

“I’ll stay with you when you come home,” Honey offered. “We can have a sleepover.”

A footstep, then something rustled. “That’s not going to happen, Honey,” Harrison said brusquely.

Another awkward silence, then whispering.

“Is something wrong, Honey?” Charlotte asked.

A heartbeat passed. “No, nothing’s wrong,” Honey said.

“What’s going on, Harrison?” Lucas asked.

“Maybe this isn’t the time,” Honey said in a low whisper.

“For heaven’s sake, I may be blind, but I’m not deaf,” Charlotte said. “What’s wrong, Honey?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” Honey’s hand brushed Charlotte’s arm. “I’m pregnant, Charlotte.”

A light lifted inside Charlotte. “That’s wonderful, Honey. I’m so happy for you.”

She tugged Honey into a hug, tears dampening her cheeks. Hers? Honey’s? Both.

“Congratulations, brother,” Lucas said.

She heard motion and realized the brothers must be hugging.

“Have you told Mom?” Lucas asked.

Harrison shook his head. “You’re the first to know.”

Honey tucked a strand of Charlotte’s hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry, Charlotte, I know this isn’t the best time—”

“Shh.” Charlotte hugged Honey again “This is wonderful timing. We need good news right now. And a baby...there’s nothing more exciting than knowing you’re having a little one.”

“But you’ve been hurt—”

“Hush.” Charlotte set Honey away from her, felt for her hands and cradled them between her own. “I’m happy for you. You’re going to be a great mother.”

“She will be,” Harrison said. “Just like she’s a great wife. But it’s my job to protect her.”

“You’re damn right it is,” Charlotte said with conviction. “And if having Honey near me puts her and the baby in danger, then take her someplace far away.”

“That’s not necessary,” Harrison said. “But I do want her on the ranch.”