“That’s not why I showed it to you. You can argue about it later. I wanted to point out that when I drew this little girl, I had no idea that I was pregnant.” She made a face. “At least I didn’t believe that I did. That came later and hit me like a ton of bricks. But I still drew this enchanting child that anyone would want to claim as their own. Wishful thinking? Or was it a sign that something good was coming and we had to be ready for it?”

“I’ll vote for the latter,” he said gently. “But I do have to mention that this cynical world would not agree with me. However, I refuse to be cynical about it. It’s what you want it to be, or I’ll know the reason why.” He gazed back down at the sketch. “So does that mean we’ll be expecting a girl?”

“No, I wouldn’t go that far. Accept the idea, not the factual conception.”

“Hmm,” he said. “I don’t think I can. She looks like you. So until I see bona fide proof to the contrary, I’ll have to assume that I’m right. It will also simplify the pronoun problem that we had. That’s good.”

“Really? I’ve heard most men want a son.”

“Propaganda. I’m good either way, but there’s something about your mist child.” He glanced back at the sketch and repeated, “And she looks like you.” He handed her the sketch. “But you’ll have to do the portrait. Then you can give MacDuff the sketch.”

“Thank you,” she said curtly. “I choose, Caleb.”

“You chose to give me a beautiful child,” he said quietly. “Now can we go back to bed so I can hold you? Maybe we can discuss a name for our daughter.”

She looked at him incredulously. “We will not. There’s no way you can be sure. You’re being completely ridiculous, and I won’t—” She broke off as she saw his mischievous grin. He was standing there, sensual, complex, handsome, and intriguing, the complete package. Everything she wanted, everything she could ever want. “Damn you.” She slipped the sketch back in the case and dropped it on the floor. “I was thinking about Hepzibah.” She turned out the lamp. “As for the other, put up or shut up, Caleb.”

“By all means.” He shed his clothes with lightning speed as he spoke. He picked her up and then they were on the bed, his arms encircling her from behind. He pulled her sleep shirt over her head and threw it on the floor beside the bed. “But right now, I just want to touch you here.” His hands were on her belly, rubbing, stroking, with a magically gentle caress. He added, “And I want to touch her. I need to welcome her, don’t I?”