The Outback Cattleman's Hired Wife (29 page)

He relaxed a little.
                   

Penny popped off Kirra
’
s left breast, so she swivelled her around. Penny latched her mouth
instinctively onto the right breast and began sucking gently.
       

Jared took Kirra
’
s shoulders
in his protective hands and kissed her on the mouth.
‘
The day I met you, I became the luckiest man in the
universe.
’

‘
And I, the luckiest woman.
’
She gave him a contented smile.
‘
Do you think the nurse will let you sleep in the bed
with me tonight?
’

Jared chuckled and shook his head.
‘
I don
’
t think she
’
ll even let the baby sleep with you.
’
  

‘
Then I want to go home tomorrow if all is well,
’
she said resolutely,
‘
so we can start a new chapter of our lives and all sleep together in our
own king-size bed.
’

‘
Anything you say, Mrs Glengarry,
’
he said happily. Taking their sleeping baby girl in
his arms, he cradled her, his heart bursting with love. He kissed her forehead
and placed her in the hospital crib with the confidence of experience.

He looked at Kirra then and said with soft, loving eyes.
‘
I love you so much, my love, but I
’
d better go see Caleb and his grandparents before I
fall asleep. Caleb will be happy to know he has a sister.
’

Next morning, mother and baby were allowed to go home
with midwifery support. Jared and Caleb picked them up, the Range Rover fitted
with a baby car capsule for the drive home.

Kirra gave Caleb a big hug and a kiss and said,
‘
I
’
ve missed you so
much, sweetheart. I love you. When we
’
re home,
you can hold Penelope, because I know how careful you were, when Chocolate was
a puppy.
’

Jared drove slowly home, dodging every pothole.

Just before they reached the low bridge near their
property, Kirra noticed that surveyors had set up their equipment.
‘
Oh Jared, look!
’
she said,
bursting with pride.
‘
My article about
‘
Public in Peril
’
has made a
difference. We might get a new bridge after all.
’

‘
Yes, I believe so,
’
Jared
said, then swallowed hard and tightened his grip on the wheel.
‘
I have a confession to make,
’
he said in all seriousness.

‘Another one?’ she teased
gently.

‘Yeah.’ he said
and gave her a sheepish look. ‘
I did read your
article . . . after it was published in the Brisbane Bulletin, but only because
I
’
ve always read your articles. You
’
re a talented writer, Kirra.
’

‘Is that all?’ Kirra patted his shoulder.
‘
I had a fair idea you did,
’
she said quietly.
‘
I came
across the article clipped in between some books on the shelf in your study the
other day.
’

‘
Snooping, were we, Mrs Glengarry?
’
he accused lightly.

‘
No, I took down the photo of baby Caleb and his Mum to
put in his room, before the baby came home,
’
she said
ever-the-practical, then turned her head towards the back seat.
‘
I thought it might make you feel special too, Caleb.
’

Jared took her hand in his, brought it to his lips and
kissed her fingers.
‘
We
’
re so blessed to
have you,
’
Jared said, his eyes filled with love and admiration.
‘
Aren
’
t we, son?
’

‘
I
’
m glad you
’
re my Mum and Dad,
’
Caleb said
enthusiastically,
‘
and I
’
ll try very hard
to be the best big brother a baby can have.
’

‘
You are already!
’
Kirra and Jared said in unison, then laughed, joined
Pinkies and each made a wish.

‘
Are you angling for a new computer game by any chance,
Caleb?
’
Jared asked wryly. He watched his son solemnly shake
his head in the rear-vision mirror, then smile crookedly.

And the luckiest man in the universe drove his
precious family home to live happily ever after.