Kenna stomped her feet, forcing her boots tightly on her feet, then grabbed her hard hat. She jammed it on her head, straightened her bright yellow silks, and followed the other jockeys out of the locker room to the paddock area.

The leaves on the trees had started to change – the greens morphing into bright yellows and oranges. The following day would begin a new month – October – and the start of the fall racing season. Kenna’s heart kicked up at notch as her step quickened.

“Last race of the season, huh?” Tucker Chandler called over his shoulder with a grin. “Made it back in the nick of time.”

“I wonder sometimes why I bothered,” she joked.

“Yeah, right,” he chuckled. “I’m surprised it took you this long.”

“Ah, Brett made me follow doctor’s orders and stuff,” she said. “And I had to get back into shape.”

Their boots clomped on the cobblestone path as the scent of horse hair and manure wafted in the air toward their noses. “So, are you riding in the fall?”

“No,” she said with a tiny sigh and a larger smile. Her heart jumped to her chest as she recalled the earnest conversations with Brett and the deep soul searching. “I’m taking the fall season off.”

“That’s too bad.”

Her smile remained on her face as she fiddled with her goggles. Maybe she was making a mistake – but it was her mistake to make. She was certain of what she wanted and she was going to follow through on her decision.

She entered the covered paddock and wished Tucker good luck as she spotted Glenn’s head. She charged ahead, the familiar nervous tingle shooting through her veins. She grinned as she stopped before the stall and patted the horse’s neck.

“How you feeling, boy?” she asked as the horse bobbed his head and shook his mane. Kenna giggled and gently smacked his neck. “Good to hear.”

“How are you feeling?” Glenn asked as a trainer tossed a saddle on the horse’s back.

“Great,” she said.

“That’s wonderful to hear,” Glenn said. He turned his attention back to the young colt stamping his hooves on the hay-littered floor. “This guy is ready to run.”

“I see that,” Kenna said as her eyes roamed the twitching horse flesh. “Too bad my last race of the season can’t be on Hero.”

“I know,” Glenn commiserated as a sadness lingered in his usually lively eyes. He released a heavy sigh that Kenna refrained from mirroring.

After an outstanding win at the Midwest Classic, a minor crack was found in Hero’s hind leg and Glenn, after hours of consulting with the best vets in the area, decided to retire him. Hero now spent his days chasing parenthood in hopes of passing his great heart and outstanding speed on to his children.

“Riders up!”

Kenna grinned, shoving melancholy thoughts from her head. She was hoisted into the saddle and led from the paddock to the track for the post parade. She rested in the saddle and adjusted her goggles over her eyes. Once she passed the grandstand, she searched the crowd frantically and found Brett and Casey chatting casually with her father and Glenn. Brett gave her a little wave in which she returned before her horse was turned toward the starting gate.

A huge ball of excitement grew inside her stomach as she adjusted her grip on the reins. The race wasn’t a huge stakes race but it didn’t make any difference to her competitive nature. She wanted to win.

“Let’s go out in a blaze of glory, big guy,” she muttered to her mount as the horses in front of her were shoved in the gate.

She was going to win then take some time off to pursue parenthood herself and that thought alone caused a wave of wonderful anxiety to wash over her body. She wanted to carry Brett’s child and give birth with him beside her. She wanted to rock his baby to sleep every night. She wanted to raise the child with Brett and watch as he – or she- grew and developed. She wanted it more than anything else in the world.

And Brett finally agreed it was time.

Right As Rain, Kenna’s mount, was shoved in the gate and she focused only on the track on the other side of the bars. She fisted the leather reins as she crouched over Rain’s neck, holding her breath, waiting for the bell. When it rattled in her ears and the gate shot open, Rain lunged forward, fighting the pack in his quest for his first win.

And they’d get it – Kenna was determined.

XxX

Kenna shoved her gear in a duffle bag, a touch of nostalgia in her heart, and reminded herself that she’d race again. But as she sat on the bench in front of her locker, she explored that idea and smiled as she realized that even if she didn’t race ever again, it would be okay – as long as she had Brett and hopefully a new addition to their family. She finished packing with a flourish. She bid her fellow jockeys goodbye and hurried out of the jockey room in search of her husband.

“Great race, honey,” Mac said as he wrapped a tentative arm around her shoulders. That relationship, though still strained, had improved since the accident and for that, Kenna was grateful.

“Thanks, Dad,” she said with a smile, her eyes finding Brett’s. He grinned at her and her heart fluttered.

“I thought you were stuck in that pack of horses near the back,” Casey said, shaking his head in amazement. “But when you broke free and rode the rail, wow.”

Kenna’s smile widened as she ducked out from under her father’s arm and wrapped her arms around Brett’s race. “Are you ready to get out of here?”

“Yep,” he said as he placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Let’s go.”

As they left the track, a sigh of relief escaped Kenna’s lips. She couldn’t imagine things working out any better. Lydia, livid by Glenn’s decision to keep her off of Hero, left the area. Last anyone had heard she was out in California, hopping from barn to barn in hopes of finding a permanent home. Although Kenna didn’t much like the girl, she wished her well. She hoped she’d settle down and find some peace.

She pushed all thoughts of Lydia away when they reached Brett’s car. Her heart thrummed happily as she turned to hug her father and Casey again. Brett took her bag and tossed it in the trunk along with the other bags he’d placed in there earlier. Baseball season had ended weeks earlier and Brett had plotted and planned a little excursion for just the two of them – a few days in seclusion to totally reacquaint themselves with each other without interruption. And Kenna couldn’t wait.

“Be careful,” Mac warned in his fatherly manner. “And call me when you get home.”

“Sure, Dad,” she said, rolling her eyes. Casey chuckled and earned a playful punch from Kenna.

When they finally pulled out of the parking lot, Brett took her hand and gave it a squeeze. He raised it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I didn’t think we’d ever get away from everyone.”

“I know,” she said with a slight shiver.

“Kenna,” Brett said in a solemn voice. “I know you’re hoping that we’ll conceive on this little trip, but I really want you to just relax and enjoy yourself. I don’t want you beating yourself up if it doesn’t happen right away.”

“I know,” she said.

“It’ll happen when it happens.”

“I know,” she repeated.

“Let’s just have fun.”

“I plan on it,” she said with a seductive grin. “Just wait until you see what I packed.”

XxX

“I don’t know what we’re going to do for Thanksgiving, Mom,” Kenna heard Brett state as she entered the kitchen and found him pacing. He glanced at her and smiled, motioning for her to come closer. When she did, he wrapped his free arm around her as he listened to his mother. She clutched her little gift to him tightly in her fist.

“Let me talk to Kenna and we’ll get back to you,” he tried to butt in but was cut off by his mother’s reply. “I know Thanksgiving is only two weeks away.” He sighed and she covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. He lifted a brow at her but she just shook her head. She’d explain herself only when she has his undivided attention.

Her heart flipped as nervous anticipation flooded her. She was ninety-five percent certain he’d feel the exact same way as she did – but that five percent of doubt left her a little anxious. What if he'd changed his mind?

No, he wouldn’t, she decided. He’d be happier than she was. He’d be ecstatic. Their relationship was solid now – stronger than it had ever been. She was sure of his love and even more positive of her love for him. This would just be icing on the cake.

“Okay, Mom,” he said. “Love you, too. Bye.”

He ended his call and set the handset on the counter. She watched him, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet. “How’s your mom?”

“She wants to know what we’re going to do for the holidays. She wants us to spend Thanksgiving with her.”

“That’s nice,” Kenna said, barely hearing his words. He cocked an eyebrow at her and she laughed, springing at him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Surprised, he caught her and wound his arms around her waist, kissing the top of her head. “What’s this all about?”

She pulled away and wiped the happy tears from her eyes. “Here,” she said, handing him the stick.

His eyes grew as he took it, surprise registering on his face. “Is it…”

She nodded, happiness bubbling inside and aching to burst out. “Yes. I did it twice. Both of them the same.”

“Wow,” he said as he pulled out a chair and sat. “We’re really…”

She nodded again and fell into his lap. “Yes, Brett. We really are.”

A slow smile overtook his face as he pulled her into an embrace after carefully setting the stick on the table. He glanced at it once more, couldn’t resist, before kissing her.

The plus sign was still there.

A/N: FINALLY! I was determined this morning to finish this chapter no matter what and then a little bit of inspiration hit me. Miracle of miracles.

Thanks so much for the patience.

Only a week left for SKoW voting so don't forget Irelyn and Lucas!

Thanks again for the wonderful reviews.