Page 27 of Home Free

Alexa had said the plumber was coming to finish up this week, but Finn had offered to install the powder room faucet in the meantime. Elise guessed it was as much for Finn as for Alexa. He was used to building and farming. He probably missed working with his hands.

They headed to the kitchen and joined everyone vying for plates and silverware, loading up their plates with Chinese food and taking it to the living room to eat on the floor. Nick and Alexa had bought new furniture for the room, but it wouldn’t be delivered until the following week, along with an antique farm table Alexa had bought for the dining room.

JT was with Annie Walsh, and conversation was light, centered around the new brownstone and Kate’s pregnancy and Julia’s debate with herself about what to do with the suite of rooms Nick and Alexa had occupied before they’d moved into the new house.

They were about halfway through the meal when Ronan cleared his throat. “We need to talk about London. About Boxgrove.”

Elise knew what was coming. With Clay’s help, getting an invite to the Boxgrove gala would be easy, but they’d been dancing around the subject of who would go to London for the past twenty-four hours.

Finn set down his fork. “I’m going.”

Ronan nodded. “Me too.”

Declan shook his head. “I’m out. I’m sorry, but we’re too close to Kate’s due date.”

Kate rolled her eyes. “Don’t be silly. I have almost two months.” She rubbed her rounded stomach. “This little one and I are just fine. We’re still working!”

Declan’s eyes darkened. “I’m staying.”

Kate’s expression softened and she reached over to squeeze his knee. “Okay.”

Declan had missed everything with Griffin. No one could blame him for not taking chances this time around.

“I’m afraid I’m out too,” Nick said. “If it were any other week, you know I’d be there.” He glanced at Alexa. “But we have a meeting we can’t miss.”

“What kind of meeting?” Ronan asked.

“An adoption meeting,” Alexa said. “With a birth mother.”

Elise grinned. “Are you serious? That’s amazing!”

Alexa blushed. “These things fall apart all the time, so we’re trying not to get our hopes up.” She inhaled deeply. “But… yeah. Fingers crossed.”

“Well, you’re right then,” Finn said to Nick. “You’re definitely not going.”

“That leaves us,” Ronan said, looking at Finn. “Think we can handle it?”

“We can handle it,” Finn said.

“I’m going too.” Elise was as surprised as anyone when the words emerged from her mouth.

Finn shook his head. “Nope.”

Elise glared at him. “It’s not your decision.”

His jaw tightened. “It kind of is.”

“It’s your case, and it’s personal,” Elise said. “I get that. But I get to decide what I want to do, and I want to go. Besides, you and Ronan will stand out less if you each have a date.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Ronan said.

“You’re just going to case the guest list right?” Julia asked. “See if Achilles shows up? If that’s why Eudorus mentioned Boxgrove?”

Ronan scowled. “Yeah, but you never know how these things might go sideways.”

“It’s a fancy event full of history buffs,” Julia said. “Nothing will go sideways. We’ll dress up and walk around, drinking champagne and acting important like everyone else, and everything will be fine. We’ll be good cover for you and Finn while you get a good look at everyone.”

Elise sensed it was best to keep quiet. Ronan didn’t look happy, but he didn’t like to tell Julia no, and her points were all valid.

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