Page 86 of Treasure and Tarot

“Okay, so now you and Papa need to let me take a picture of you and our pretty meal.”

“Pitture!” She grabbed Colton’s hand, completely oblivious to their tension. It was kind of wonderful and perfect. That way, they could just relax.

As soon as they took the pic, he sent Colton and Abby to the dining room with the food and stepped back to his desk to call Hank.

“Sebastian! Is something wrong?”

“Yeah, hey, I’m sorry to bother you on V-Day, but I just need a moment.” Sebastian took a deep breath and let it out. “Colton’s folks are at the Grand Springs. Charlie has put them off about directions here, and I imagine he’s giving them coupons for Bridget’s amazing prime rib, but we’re gonna need the village on this one.”

“Okay.” Hank said it slowly, but Sebastian knew Hank well enough to know he was just thinking. “Well, maybe the hotel ghosts will scare them off. If not, we can get one of our legaleagles on them. I imagine that’s what happened, right? Colton’s proxy went to court against them.”

“I’m betting, yeah. I imagine it didn’t go well. His lawyer only calls once a week or so, because it makes Colton so mad.”

“Of course it does. I’m on it. I’ll call Charlie.”

“Thanks so much, Hank. I know it’s?—”

“Oh, Elliot and I won’t go to Fuel for a couple of hours. I have time to be nosy.”

A giggle burst out of him. “I’m so glad I don’t have to be mad anymore.”

“Ditto, hon.” Hank made kissy noises. “Later.”

“Yep. We’re eating early, before Abby goes to bed.”

“Then get your smoochies on after. I’ll make sure the earliest you have to deal with this is in the morning.”

“Love you, Hank.”

“You too, Bastian.” Hank hung up, and he headed to the dining room.

Colton stared, and he nodded. His phone dinged, and Colton had texted:

I texted Gent and Rand.

Rand was the lawyer. Yeah. He was just going to relax and enjoy the evening.

With his husband and their daughter.

“So the turkey is for me and Abby,” he told Colton. “All the cured meat is yours.”

“Yum.”

Abby made a happy noise. “I like cheesus.”

“But you have to have some fruit and veg or it hurts your tummy, right?” Abby found cheese pretty binding. Ah, little ones.

“Right.” She nodded. “Fills my plate, please?”

“Of course, baby.” He beamed. By this time next year, they’d have another one. It was wild.

Colton grinned at him. “I know what you’re thinking, huh?”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, your hand was on your belly.”

“Baby!” Abby clapped her tiny hands.

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