Chapter Ten

Cassie's eyes snapped open as a wave of nausea surged through her. Clutching her stomach, she bolted from the bed and made a beeline for the kitchen basin. The coolness of the floorboards barely registered against her feet as another wave hit, and she found herself hunched over basin, retching.

"Cassie?" Andy's voice was groggy with sleep, but alert with concern. He shuffled in, rubbing his dark hair into further disarray, his eyes squinting against the early morning light seeping through the curtains.

"Are you all right?" he asked, standing beside her and placing a tentative hand on her back.

Cassie spat out the last of the bitter taste before she leaned back, resting against the wall. She met Andy's worried gaze with a hesitant one of her own.

"Andy...I think—I might be..." Her words trailed off as she nibbled her lip, summoning the courage to voice her suspicion.

"Be what?" he urged gently, his hand moving in slow circles on her back, trying to soothe her.

"Expecting," she whispered finally, the word feeling foreign yet heavy with implications.

"Expecting?" Andy repeated, his brain still foggy from sleep. "You mean—"

"A baby, yes." Cassie's voice was a mix of wonder and uncertainty. She watched as a myriad of emotions flickered across Andy's face—surprise, confusion, and something that looked like hope.

"Cassie, you must be mistaken," he said with a furrowed brow. "We both know that...well, I've always known children aren't possible for me."

"Maybe so, but my body feels different, Andy. I can't just ignore it," Cassie countered, her hands instinctively going to her abdomen as if to shield the secret it might be harboring.

"Perhaps it's something you ate," Andy suggested, trying to inject some practicality into the situation, though his voice betrayed a twinge of hope.

"Maybe," she conceded, but her intuition spoke louder than reason. "Brenda mentioned a midwife nearby, Mrs. Blakely. She'd know for sure."

"Then we'll have her set things straight. First thing, you go see this midwife," Andy decided, the words punctuating the silence that had fallen over them.

"Tomorrow," Cassie said. "I'll go first thing."

"Good," Andy replied, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, offering a silent comfort amidst the uncertainty. "We'll figure this out."

Andy struggled to keep his focus as the cattle ambled around the dusty corral, their hooves kicking up small clouds that mirrored his scattered thoughts. Each moo seemed to echo with a question mark, reverberating with the soft possibility of "what if?"

"Confound it," he muttered under his breath when the calf he'd been trying to herd darted off in the wrong direction once more. He wasn't usually one to let his mind wander from the task at hand, but today, the fences and fields held no claim over his attention.

"Thinking about Cassie?" Bob, his ranch hand and friend, called out from atop the fence with a knowing grin. Andy nodded, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly as he thought about the morning's revelation. What if she really was expecting?

"I am," Andy admitted, leaning against the wooden post for a moment's respite. "She's seeing Hortense Blakely today."

"Ah." Bob's grin softened into a gentle smile. "That kind of visit."

"Yep." Andy pushed off the post, feeling a sudden surge of nervous energy. "We might be...expanding our family."

Bob's eyebrows shot up. "I didn't think you two wanted children."

"Neither did we," Andy replied, his voice tinged with a cautious optimism that felt foreign on his tongue.

CASSIE'S HEART RACEDas she sat in the modest parlor of Hortense Blakely's home, her hands folded neatly in her lap. The air smelled of herbs, a comforting scent that did little to ease the fluttering in her stomach.

"Mrs. Forsythe," Hortense began, her tone professional yet not unkind. "I have completed my examination."

Cassie met the midwife's steady gaze, bracing herself for the verdict.

"Congratulations, my dear. You are with child."

The words struck Cassandra like a summer thunderclap — sudden and startling, yet somehow expected. Her serious disposition wavered as she felt a smile tugging at her lips despite the gravity of the situation.

"Thank you, Mrs. Blakely," Cassie managed to say, her voice a blend of gratitude and trepidation. She couldn't help but wonder how they would manage the ranch, her dress shop, and a new baby. But to her surprise, she was thrilled with the idea.

"Take care now, and come see me should you need anything," Hortense offered, her eyes softening at the sight of the young woman's mixed emotions.

"Of course," Cassie replied, rising from her chair. As she stepped out onto the porch, she allowed herself a moment to breathe in the vastness of the sky above. It seemed to whisper promises of change, challenge, and unexpected joy.

The dishes clinked softly as Cassie cleared the table, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She could feel Andy's gaze on her, patient yet expectant. The evening sun cast a warm glow through the window, wrapping the kitchen in gold and amber. It was time.

"Andy," she said, "I went to see Hortense today."

She watched him pause, his hands stilling on the dish towel. His dark eyes locked onto hers, searching for the message behind her words.

"And?" he prompted when she hesitated a beat too long.

"I'm pregnant," Cassie admitted, her blue eyes not straying from his. The room seemed to hold its breath.

Andy's face paled slightly, disbelief etched momentarily across his features before giving way to a stunned silence. They sat together, letting the weight of her words settle between them.

"Are you sure?" Andy finally asked.

"Quite sure," Cassie replied, feeling a strange sense of calm now that the secret was shared.

As they sat at the wooden kitchen table, their hands found each other, grasping for comfort and reassurance amidst the uncertainty.

Cassie broke the silence first, her practical nature guiding her words. "I'm scared, Andy. What about my dressmaking? I've dreamt of that shop since I was a girl."

He listened, his thumb gently stroking her hand. "Cassie, love," he said with a soft firmness, "we'll make it work. You're the finest seamstress I know. If anyone can do it, it's you. Maybe Jane could work more hours..."

Her heart fluttered at his confidence, even as doubts nagged at her. "But a baby...this changes everything."

"Maybe it does," Andy agreed, his entrepreneurial spirit shining through. "But we'll figure it out, together. We always do." Andy rose from his chair, pacing back and forth across the creaky floorboards of their humble kitchen. "Cassie," he began, the words catching in his throat, "I never thought—well, I never allowed myself to think we'd have a child."

"Nor I," Cassie admitted, watching him with an understanding gaze.

He stopped, hands on his hips, and turned to face her. "It's just...do you reckon we're ready for this? To be parents?" The worry creased his brow, betraying his usual stoicism.

"Ready or not, it's happening," Cassie said, a wry smile touching her lips. She shook her head. "I find that I'm much more delighted with the prospect than I thought I would be."

"You're right," he conceded, chuckling despite himself. "I suppose my biggest fret is providing for you both. The ranch hasn't been turning the profits I hoped for yet."

"Then we'll tighten our belts," she replied with unwavering spirit. "We'll scrimp and save a little."

"I guess that's what families do."

"Exactly," Cassie said, her heart swelling at the sight of his growing grin. "We'll teach our child the value of hard work and dreaming big, just like us."

"Speaking of dreams," Andy said, taking a seat beside her once more, "what do you hope for our baby?"

"Health and happiness," she answered instantly. "But also...curiosity. A sense of adventure, maybe."

"Like their mother," Andy said, his dark eyes twinkling. "And a good head for business, like their father."

Cassie laughed, the sound light and free. "Let's not set the bar too high."

"High enough to reach for the stars," he insisted, his hand finding hers again. "Imagine them riding across the fields, or better yet, helping you pin patterns and sort fabrics."

"Or counting cattle and fixing fences," Cassie added. Now she had something new to dream about, and she found herself looking forward to the baby.

"Whatever they choose, we'll be there," Andy said, squeezing her hand gently.

Later, Cassie and Andy sat side by side on the porch swing, the rhythmic creak of the chains a gentle backdrop to their quiet contemplation.

"Imagine," Cassie said, "how it would be if it was just us knowing about this little miracle for a while longer."

Andy nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Yeah, just us," he agreed, his voice soft with wonder. He turned to look at her, his dark eyes reflecting a shared secret. "We'll tell everyone in good time."

She leaned into him, feeling the solidness of his presence. "Our special secret," she said with a smile.

"Special indeed." His arm came around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "So, what's next, Cassie? What do we plan for first?"

"First?" She tilted her head, considering. "I suppose we should think about adding a room. And I'll need to adjust my dress designs...for a while." The thought sparked a new kind of creativity within her.

"Room, yes," Andy mused, his practical mind already turning over the logistics. "And your dresses will be the talk of the town, as always."

They rocked gently, the swing's motion comforting as they let their imaginations roam. Thoughts of cradles and booties mingled with visions of cattle counts and fabric swatches.

"Think they'll like horses?" Andy asked suddenly, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Or needles and thread," Cassie countered with a laugh. "Maybe both."

"Could be," he said, the grin reaching his voice. "A rancher-seamstress. Or seamster?"

"Anything is possible," she whispered.

As the day stretched lazily before them, they continued to dream aloud, each idea more endearing than the last. Their plans were tentative sketches, lines drawn in the soft soil of hope, but they held the weight of a future yet to be written.

"Never thought I'd be this happy," Cassie murmured, breaking the quiet. The words floated between them like the cottonwood fluff that danced in the evening breeze.

"Neither did I," Andy admitted, his voice warm with emotion. He turned to look at her, his dark eyes reflecting the last light of day. "You've made this house a home, Cass. And now, with a little one..." His voice trailed off, awed by the enormity of it all.

Cassie lifted her gaze to meet his. "We're going to be parents," she said, wonder lacing her tone.

"Parents," he echoed, the word strange and new in reference to the two of them, but not unwelcome.

They stood up from the swing, hands clasped tightly as they walked inside their humble home. The wooden floorboards creaked underfoot, a familiar soundtrack to their lives together.

"Let's turn in early tonight," Andy suggested, his thumb stroking the back of her hand.

"Sounds perfect," Cassie agreed, the prospect of rest welcome after the day's emotional whirlwind.

In the quiet sanctuary of their home, they readied for bed with practiced ease. Andy watched as Cassie braided her blond hair, fingers working with skilled dexterity.

"Think our kid will have your talent?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Or your stubbornness," she shot back playfully.

"Hey, that's perseverance," he corrected, feigning offense.

"Sure is," she acquiesced, her lips curving into a smile.

They slipped under the quilt. As they settled in, Andy wrapped an arm around Cassie, pulling her close. Her head found its place against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.

CASSIE STIRRED, HERdreams fading as reality gently nudged her awake. She felt Andy's arm draped over her waist, his breathing deep and even. Already, she could sense a new energy between them — a shared purpose that seemed to hum in the air like the promise of spring.

"Morning already?" Andy mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Seems so," Cassie replied, her tone soft. She turned to face him, her blue eyes meeting his dark ones with a sparkle of excitement. "We've got a lot to plan for."

"Yep." He stretched lazily, the corners of his mouth lifting. "First thing's getting those new shelves started for you."

Cassie's heart swelled at his support, her fears from yesterday now distant shadows. "And we'll need to decide where to add on another room to this cabin."

"Baby steps, Cass," he chuckled, kissing her forehead. "Pun intended."

They rose, the morning routine now tinged with a fresh layer of joy. Breakfast was a simple affair, but each bite tasted like hope. As Andy left for the fields, he paused at the door, looking back at Cassie with a grin.

"Tonight, we plan for the future," he declared. "Our future."

"Can't wait," she said, her words sincere and full of possibility.

Cassie spent the day sewing as she always did, listening to Jane talk about her beaus. "Are you ever going to choose one?" Cassie asked.

Jane shrugged. "I don't know. I'll think I like one best, and then another will take me for a walk, and I'll think I like him best. I'll figure it all out eventually."

Cassie simply laughed, shaking her head. Jane would decide, but she was certainly taking her time about it.

After Jane had left that evening, Andy seemed to have nervous energy as Cassie kept stitching away, trying to meet her deadlines for finishing the dresses she was working on.

"Think it'll be a boy or a girl?" Andy asked, his curiosity childlike.

"Doesn't matter," Cassie replied. "As long as they have your kindness."

"And your strength," he countered, his admiration clear.

"Never thought I'd be this happy," she said softly, almost afraid that if she spoke too loudly it would all be taken away.

"Life's full of surprises," he said, squeezing her hand.

In the quiet that followed, there was an understanding that no words were necessary — their hearts spoke volumes.

"Goodnight, Cassie," Andy whispered as they retreated into the embrace of their home.

"Goodnight, Andy," she whispered back, her spirit soaring.