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said softly. “I am very tired. Healing this wound is taxing my reserves. May I share your bed tonight?”
    The same feeling of deep connection and intertwining passion filled her body and mind and she couldn’t say no to him. She wanted him to share her bed and she wanted him to share her life.
    She stood and nodded for him to follow her. They went into the bedroom and she turned down her blankets before he took off his pants and she removed her rope. In their underthings, they crawled into the bed and held each other in a soft embrace.
    In the darkness, with the sound of crickets and frogs outside, Avery listened to his heart beating, strong and solid below her cheek.
    “What is your name?” she asked him.
    He ran his hand over her hair and down her back, softly cupping her behind in his hand. He kissed her forehead softly.
    “My name is Lucien.”
    “Lucien. I’m Avery,” she started. “Now that we know each other’s names, I think you should know, I’m carrying your child.”
    He pulled her closer and nuzzled her cheek.
    “I know, my beloved. I am more pleased than you could ever imagine,” he said.
    Avery breathed out a sweet sigh and sunk deeper into his chest. They slept together in the warm embrace, drifting between waking and dreams. When the dawn light stretched over her eyelids, Avery opened them to find that Lucien was gone. A silent tear slid down her cheek. She didn’t know how she would live without him now.

7
    C ontinuing her normal routine after Lucien’s second disappearance proved to be difficult for Avery. She fell into a minor depression and had a hard time getting herself to do the work she needed to do. Finally, the harsh edges of her disappointment smoothed out and she was able to get back to business.
    If she spent all of her time pining away for Lucien, it would only drive her crazy. Instead, she had something to keep her occupied, and it wasn’t a small thing either. Running her farm was everything she had ever wanted in her life. With or without the man of her dreams, she would continue with her work.
    But knowing that she carried Lucien’s baby inside her womb made it difficult to not think about him.
    Somewhere at the bottom of her heart, she knew he would eventually come back to her. He was her soulmate, the love of her life, and the man of her dreams. In Avery’s reality, there was no way that he could not come back to her. Things just didn’t work out that way. He had to come back. She wouldn’t let herself believe for a moment that she would raise her baby alone.
    The days moved on into weeks and her crops began to grow. Soon, they were ready for market. Avery had already begun to notice the changes in her body over the many weeks between planting and her first harvest. No one on the outside could see it yet, but she’d felt the budding of new life inside her.
    She missed Lucien more with each passing day. Part of her wished she could confide in someone, but not even Valerie would understand this. She did have to go see a doctor soon, no matter what.
    Avery booked an appointment with a doctor in Portland for the day after the farmer’s market. The day before the market, Avery packed up her freshly harvested lettuce, spinach, and salad greens. Early in the dark morning, with the mist still heavy on the roads, she started the long drive to Portland.
    Over the hours, she listened to her mp3 player, missing the conveniences of civilization. When she got to town, she set up her tent and prepared her greens. They looked great and she was proud of them. She’d worked hard to get all her certifications and licenses. Here she was, selling at her first farmer’s market in downtown Portland.
    It was all a dream come true.
    For her to have accomplished what she had was pretty phenomenal in the small farming community around Oregon. Grannie’s gift to her had made it all possible. Otherwise, she would still be trying to save up the money to invest in the land.
    She’d been able