Tears filled her eyes. This would be her soon. Holding her own child. Hers and Steele’s. She lifted her head, automatically searching him out in the crowd. His gaze was locked onto her, and it was clear that the image of her holding a baby had affected him just as profoundly.
If she’d doubted his earlier declaration of love, there wasn’t a single doubt now. His love was there for the entire world to see. No one could possibly look at him, at how he was looking at her, and believe for a minute that Steele’s heart wasn’t involved.
It was a look she’d never seen on his face. It was a window right into his soul, an opening he never gave anyone. And he didn’t look like he cared who saw it.
She glanced down at the baby and then back up at Steele, hoping he got the silent message.
He smiled at her, his entire face softening. He’d understood perfectly. He knew that she was telling him that soon this would be their child she held. She committed that smile and the love in his eyes to memory, never wanting to forget this moment.
“They’re so beautiful, Rachel. I can hardly wait to hold my own baby.”
Rachel squeezed Maren’s hand and then wrapped an arm around her waist as they both peered down at the baby she held.
“Any plans to have a child, or are you talking a long way into the future?”
Heat crept into Maren’s cheeks, but she refused to be anything but truthful. She didn’t regret for a moment that she was pregnant or that she was having Steele’s baby. And since Steele planned to tell everyone anyway, it wasn’t as if Rachel wouldn’t know soon enough.
“How’s about five months sound?” Maren asked.
Rachel’s and Rusty’s mouths popped open. Ethan blinked as if he’d misheard.
“Really?” Rachel squeaked. And then, as if realizing the possibilities, Rachel’s gaze grew worried and anxious. “Oh God, Maren. Is this a good thing? It wasn’t . . . I mean, he didn’t . . .” She broke off, sorrow creeping into her eyes.
Maren handed the baby back to Rusty and then took both of Rachel’s hands in hers. “It’s a very good thing. You’re all about to hear our news anyway.”
“I’d say now is as good a time as any,” Steele said.
Maren whirled around, letting one of Rachel’s hands drop, to see Steele standing right behind her. His hand went to her nape, his fingers wrapping around it while his thumb caressed the spot right behind her ear.
“Everyone already wants to hug you and tell you how glad they are you’re back. We may as well tell everyone the good news so they don’t have to hug you all over again.”
His tone was dry, and it amused her that he sounded so uncomfortable with all the hugging and emotion being flung around. She slipped to his side, accepting the warmth of his hold when he dropped his arms over her shoulders.
“I’m ready when you are,” she whispered.
“You sure?” Steele asked. “I don’t mind who knows. I’d tell the world. But I want to make sure you’re comfortable with this.”
“As long as you’re right here beside me, I can take on anything, Steele.”
“Bet your ass,” he murmured, right before he leaned down and kissed her right in front of everyone.
When Maren pulled away, she felt a little goofy and she was sure she was wearing an even goofier smile.
Rusty had a total deer-in-the-headlights look. Rachel’s mouth was gaping open and Ethan just looked confused. He stared at Steele as though aliens had invaded his body. She had to admit, it had taken her quite some time to adjust—and she was still adjusting—to the differences in Steele’s demeanor when he was around her.
As her gaze swept the rest of the crowd, she saw similar reactions there. Everything from amusement to disbelief. Grace and Rio were both present and Grace looked smug. She had a knowing smile, and then she turned to Rio with her palm upward in a clear “pay up” gesture.
She didn’t even want to know what that was all about.
She tucked her hand into Steele’s and let him lead her back to the spot where Sam stood against the house. Steele turned to face the others, his hand still securely around Maren’s.
He didn’t have to ask for attention. Everyone had gone dead silent the moment he’d kissed her. And now all eyes were on them as they waited for what Steele had to say.
“Maren is pregnant and she’ll be having our child in about five months time.”
Never one to mince words, that much was certain.
Maren braced herself for the reaction. It was actually quite comical. No one was staring at her in the least. Every eye was on Steele, and the expressions were priceless. She wished she had a camera to record the reactions.
Then the silence was broken as everyone began talking at once. Beside them, Sam looked stupefied. It was obvious he wanted to say something to Steele, whether it was to congratulate him or something else, but his eyes were blank and his lips stayed parted as he stared at both Maren and Steele.
And then Steele’s team pushed to the front and surrounded her and Steele. P.J. was the first to hug Maren. The rest of the team fist-bumped with Steele and made several cracks about Daddy Steele and raising little kick-ass ninjas. P.J. offered sniper lessons while Baker and Renshaw argued over who best would teach the baby about explosives.
“Not trying to be rude, Baker, but um, I’m thinking you aren’t the best instructor for anything having to do with explosives,” Maren said dubiously.
The team cracked up and immediately started giving Baker shit about getting too close to the explosives.
“This is going to change things,” Cole said, drawing his words out. He’d said it in a quieter tone so it didn’t carry to the others, but his team heard and acknowledged it with grim nods of their heads.
“It does change things,” Steele said. “I’m not going to discuss it right here and now, though. I’d like to have you all out to the house tomorrow where we can talk without thirty other people present.”
They all acknowledged his declaration with a nod and then moved back so the others could swarm in with their well-wishes.
Maren hadn’t yet met the two newest members of KGI, and she was delighted that P.J. was no longer the only female member of the organization.
Skylar was more bubbly and outgoing than P.J., and she had an infectious smile that immediately put people at ease. Edge was her polar opposite. Big—like whoa big—and stony looking. Quiet and definitely reserved. He wasn’t bad looking at all. If you went for the strong, silent type, then this guy would be right up your alley.
He was dark. Dark eyes, dark hair, dark expression. Very somber. While Skylar was a lot lighter. Blond-haired, blue-eyed with paler skin that looked only barely kissed by the sun. And she had a lot of blond hair. It looked to be naturally curly but not too kinky. It fell in soft waves and layers over her shoulders and down her back.
The two introduced themselves and informed Maren that they’d heard a lot about her. She was immediately at ease with Skylar but wasn’t sure about Edge until he very gently took her hand and then leaned in to kiss one cheek and then the other in greeting. For some reason, the gesture moved her and emotion knotted her throat.
Rio and Grace were the last to offer their congratulations and hugs, and by the time they made it to where Maren and Steele stood, she was sagging from standing so long and smiling and talking to people.
“Thanks again for facilitating my return to civilization, Rio,” Maren said after he and Grace had given her hugs.
Rio smiled, his arm looped around Grace’s waist. “You’re welcome, Doc. Anytime. You’ve saved our asses enough times.”
“Maren, you haven’t met Elizabeth yet.” Grace turned and motioned to the girl who was now sitting next to Rusty, staring down and smiling at one of the babies. “Elizabeth, I want you to meet Dr. Scofield, honey. Come see.”