Page 69 of Treasure and Tarot

He had it on authority that most of them were for Abby in some way, which was totally fine with him.

Colton chuckled. “Abby girl! Who wants to help open presents?”

If possible, she lit up even more, and they sat down, Law and Iago bringing them things to open. There were books, games, and toys for Abby. Hank had gotten them a gorgeous pair of antique loving cups from Clinton’s Crapitorium, and from Gent and the guys there was a gift card that made his eyes widen and his mind boggle.

“For any reno you might need to do on the house,” Gent said firmly. “We know it’s a lovely place, but it might be nice to have a few extras.”

Tears stung his eyes again. “Oh, guys. Thank you.”

“You’re family now,” Mason told him. “We wanted to help.”

“Thanks. Seriously, thank you.” Colton shook Gent’s hand. “We appreciate you all so?—”

Abby squealed. “Daddy! Papa! I got a pony!” Abby waved a stuffed horse at them.

“Oh, he’s so pretty, honey.”

Colton glared at Gent. “That had better not come with a real pony hidden away somewhere.”

“Hmm?” Gent’s cheeks went pink. “I may have gotten her some riding lessons over at a ranch in Secret Springs.”

“Oh my God.” Sebastian laughed, because that might be the most Gent thing ever. Well, at least in the short time he’d known the man. “You spoil her.”

“It’s my right and privilege as her favorite uncle.”

“Hey!” Xavi kicked Gent’s foot as he went by. “I’m her favorite. I make her coffee.”

“Let’s cut the cake, baby,” Colton said, and he nodded happily. He was ready for, hopefully, not bloody cake.

And after that? He was ready to start his life with Colton as his husband.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

So, Halloween in Secret Springs was a blast.

After Abby’s requested birthday breakfast, where she’d opened presents and had pancakes in the shape of her age and the letters of her name, they had talked about what she wanted to do for the day.

She’d decided to be very Halloween this year and dress up, and she’d decided she wanted to go to bed right after instead of doing anything else birthday. He had a feeling she would demand more birthday tomorrow.

They had gone to the trunk-or-treat early in the afternoon in Hot Springs Junction, with Abby wearing a super cute highland cow hoodie and a pair of furry pants. Then she had napped and changed into her mermaid costume that Gent had bought custom-made for her in Denver.

The damn thing had built-in fleece layers for warmth, hand covers for when she got cold, and her tail detached so she could walk, but when her uncles took turns carrying her, she could snap the tail closed and stay toasty warm.

They’d hit every booth at the festival. They’d had hot chocolate from the Kiwanis club. S’mores from the Lions. Crepes and poutine from the Fuel food stand.

And God, Abby had gotten all sorts of free stuff because it was her birthday, culminating with a free cupcake with a candle at Fuel.

And now Abby was sleeping in Fuel with Elliot and Antonia while Stone led them all, including Xavi and Xander, on the deluxe Secret Springs ghost tour.

Colton was having a ball.

Too bad Sebastian didn’t seem to be having quite as much fun. Oh, he’d smiled through trick-or-treat and supper, but as the night went on, he was dragging along behind, last in line, not really listening to anything Hank’s business partner Stone had to tell them.

It was so strange, so unlike Sebastian, and he frowned, drifting back from the front of the pack to stand next to his lo—his husband. God, that was still amazing to say.

“Baby? You okay?” Colton asked.

---