Page 128 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

“You’re welcome. I think it has more to do with once you beat the shit out of him I’ll want to give him a kick or two while he’s down. I know, it makes me a horrible person, but I don’t give a shit.”

He kissed her on the top of the head. “Makes you my perfect person.”

She smiled and knew that maybe she was helping him heal after all.

36

OVERWHELMING FEELING OF HOME

Six weeks later, Van was walking into The Retreat on Amore Island hoping that he didn’t get choked out by the tie he was wearing with the only suit he owned.

Kelsey was in a long black dress that made his tongue roll out of his mouth.

He wasn’t sure how he got talked into attending this wedding but knew that he wouldn’t be able to tell her no any more than he didn’t have a choice not to spend Thanksgiving with the Raymonds. Nor would he with Christmas in a few days.

“This is going to be so much fun,” she said. “You are going to get thrown to the wolves, but I’ll be here to back you up.”

He’d been told more than once this was going to happen even though he’d met some of the Bond family already.

Not nearly all of them though.

“I can’t believe someone in your family is getting married a few days before Christmas.” He looked around the room they just entered and saw it was decorated in reds and greens. Christmas screamed, but it was tastefully done.

“Laine is quirky that way. She said she had to be married within a year of getting engaged. Carson proposed on New Year’s Eve last year. They were running out of time, but she said it’d be fun to do this and her father was sparing no expense.”

He’d heard a bit about the artist of the island and the twins that were going to be in the wedding. “They won’t be dressed like elves will they?” he asked.

She burst out laughing. “You know, that might be funny. I wouldn’t put anything past Laine.”

“I was kidding,” he said.

“She might not be though,” she said. “Oh, there is the table with the names. I’m sure we are with my parents and Duke.”

She pulled him over and found their tags and then located her parents. They were sitting with family.

At least he wouldn’t feel completely out of place, but they were early yet and so far multiple people had made their way over to chat with Kelsey and get an introduction.

One of them being Penelope Zale with her husband, Griffin. Though he’d met Griffin a few weeks ago to sit down with him to get a lay of the security system.

Things were quiet so far at the hotels. At least for the most part.

He was learning as he went, but no one had their nose bent out of joint in the process.

Not that he was aware of.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Penelope said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Not from my husband because he doesn’t say much.”

He saw the smirk between husband and wife and wondered if Penelope had a warped sense of humor like Kelsey did.

“Not everyone has to talk nonstop,” Griffin said. “Now you’ve got our daughter doing it too. My ears bleed at times.”

“You love that Zandra is a Daddy’s girl. You’re jealous that Micah only wants to be with me.”

“You’re the food source,” Griffin said.

“Not anymore,” Penelope said. “Not for months. Don’t pull that. You get one and I get one. It seems only fair. Or not fair at all considering I carried them both.”

He watched the two of them laughing while they talked as they moved off.

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