Page 98 of His Loyal Rebel

"He's coming back." Tracy panted. "He's too bullheaded."

She laughed through her crying. "The most stubborn man I know."

"Tougher than most men."

Agreeing with her, Twyla looped her arm around Tracy's shoulder and held her to her side. "I don't know about you, but I could drink a gallon of water. I'm so out of shape."

"That about killed me." Tracy walked with her.

"Whose stupid idea was it to run?" She hip-checked Tracy, making fun of herself. "God, I needed that."

"Me, too." Tracy stopped and looked up at Rick. "You should've raced us."

"I don't run." Rick studied the two of them. "I don't think I want to know what that was about."

Twyla looked at Tracy, sharing the moment, and laughed. "Probably not," they said in unison.

"Let's go get a drink," said Tracy.

"And sit." Twyla groaned. "My thighs are quivering."

"Mine, too."

She let go of Tracy in the hallway and fanned her overheated face. Bolstered by the boost in positive energy, she entered the clubhouse to find everyone jumping from their positions around the room. It took her three seconds to realize there was a rumble coming from in front of the building.

Tracy grabbed her hand. She squeezed, afraid of getting her hopes up.

Curley walked to the door, inched it open, and peeked out. Twyla held her breath. The noise of the new arrivals outside quieted.

Silence swept through the room. She stared at Curley's back, wanting to rush past him and look for herself, and too scared to take a step forward.

Curley slipped outside. The door closed behind him without her knowing what was happening and who had arrived. It could be a number of people coming.

During her stay at the clubhouse, hundreds of men came through the door on any given day. It could be anyone.

Several minutes passed. Back on edge, she hugged herself as Rick left Tracy's side and walked to the entrance. He went outside.

"He's going out there to see," whispered Tracy. "Whip's going to be okay."

"Yes, he is," she whispered back.

The door opened and the void filled with a tall, broad, strong, wild-looking man. She gasped, relief weakening her knees as Whip strode straight toward her and caught her before her knees hit the floor.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, plastering her body against his. He kissed her hard, stealing every bit of pain from her chest and healing her heart.

Pulling back, she framed his face with her hands, studying him. "You're okay?"

"I'm good." His low vibrato vibrated through her. "Have you been thinking about my question?"

With her head scrambled at his arrival, she tried to remember what he'd asked her before he'd left.

His gaze intensified, hitting her low in her belly. She remembered.

"Are we having babies?" he asked.

She buried her head in his neck, inhaling deeply, reminded that he was here. He'd come back. He hadn't changed his mind about loving her or been killed.

She took his earlobe with her lips. "Are you still planning on taking me to the courthouse?"