The note said to meet him in the field, that he had a surprise for her. Scarlet found Wolf off working the post hole digger deep in the soil, the bright sun lighting his head and shoulders. She stood under its warmth, silently watching from behind as his muscles strained with effort. A drop of sweat rolled down his neck and hid under the thin cotton shirt he wore. One hole, then another, and one more; Wolf worked hard. He was strong when she felt so vulnerable right now. Scarlet relished the view.
Finished with the last hole, Wolf slid off his shirt in one swift movement. His back was still to Scarlet as he lifted the digger over his head and then lowered it behind his shoulders. He lifted it again and again like a body builder, his muscles flexing exaggeratedly with the effort. He'd caught her watching him. Again.
"Show off!" Scarlet laughed. "How long have you known I was here?"
Wolf faced her, grinning so wide his canines showed. "Scarlet, are you there? I had no idea," he teased.
She drew closer and swatted him playfully. He placed his hands around her waist and pulled her close. Scarlet loved the feel of him: his shaggy hair, his shoulders so broad she had to squeeze tight to wrap her arms all the way around him.
Soon enough he would be the one having to stretch to reach around her middle. But she wasn't ready to tell him just yet. "What's this about a surprise for me?" she asked.
Wolf's face became serious as he took her hand. "I want to show you something I've been working on." He led her through the field and over behind the small barn. Scarlet was intrigued. There was nothing but weeds in this corner of the farm.
Except now the weeds were gone. In their place cone shaped metal cages wrapped around half a dozen green plants. Scarlet gave a small gasp.
"I started a garden," Wolf said sheepishly. "Tomatoes. Just a few for now."
Wolf caught her eye, waiting to see her response. Scarlet could hardly form words, but he went on explaining, trying to gain her approval. "I watered them every day. Until mushrooms sprouted up, and then I watered them every other day. But I look after them every day. I even covered them with a tarp a couple of nights when it got cold."
Scarlet bent down to look over the small plants. Each was perfectly centered, the soil around them damp from being recently watered. She felt choked up with emotion.
Wolf kneeled down beside her and touched a tiny leaf in his overgrown hands. I'm dangerous now, he had told her once. But she couldn't imagine that after seeing how tenderly he'd cared for these little plants. Scarlet couldn't help the tears that ran down her cheek.
"What's wrong?" Wolf asked, cupping her face in his hands. "I'm sorry - you don't like it. I shouldn't have-"
Scarlet shook her head. "No Ze'ev, I love it. This is a wonderful surprise. I, um, I have a surprise for you, too," she said with a shaky laugh.
He wiped a tear off her cheek and waited for her to go on. Scarlet hesitated, took a deep breath and blew it out. "I . . . Ze'ev, I'm pregnant."
A/N: I never thought I'd write a pregnancy fic, but these things just happen. :) Thanks for the reviews and favorites on my other stories. I'm new to writing but everyone's been so nice and encouraging.
