Page 50 of Combust
Maggie led him over to the dark brown leather sofa, and they made themselves comfortable. Dane appeared with three opened bottles of beer. He handed one to Cade, one to Maggie, and took the remaining bottle and settled himself into an armchair.
Annabeth joined them, a glass of white wine in her hand, and seated herself in the other chair.
“Thank you for inviting me over,” Cade told them. He laced his fingers through Maggie’s, and launched into his carefully rehearsed speech.
“Your daughter’s a very special woman, and dating her is an honor and a privilege,” he began, his gaze focused on Dane and Annabeth.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Maggie turning her head to stare at him. Her hand tightened around his.
“Yes,” Dane said, very definitively. His normally friendly hazel eyes sharpened, and didn’t leave Cade’s face.
Annabeth’s finely-shaped red-gold brows rose in surprise at her mate’s tone.
“What I mean to say, is that I’m crazy about her,” Cade continued. “And I’m courting her for my mate.”
“Are you asking my parents forpermissionto court me?” Maggie asked, sounding incredulous.
She tugged at their connected hands, but he didn’t let go.
“Nope. I’m informing them that my intentions toward you are honorable,” he replied stiffly.
Annabeth beamed at him, and Cade saw where Maggie had gotten her dimples from. “That’s so sweet!” she exclaimed. She turned to Dane. “Don’t you think so, honey?”
“Ithink it’s really old-fashioned,” Maggie interjected.
But she didn’t sound mad. Or annoyed, so Cade wasn’t too fussed.
“And I approve,” Dane said, with a slow smile. “Old-fashioned isn’t always bad. And Maggie seems to be enjoying your company.” Then his smile disappeared. “Don’t hurt my daughter, Cade.”
Dane didn’t need to issue threats. His tone, all by itself, told Cade everything he needed to know.
Cade nodded, and raised Maggie’s hand to his lips. “I’ll do my best to make her happy.”
He liked that Maggie had family who looked out for her, even if she didn’t think she needed protection.
Once they were mated, he would protect her, of course. But it was no small thing for a formerly-clanless man like himself to know that the Swansons would always have her back. And his, too.
A timer began beeping in the kitchen.
“Dinner’s ready!” Annabeth exclaimed, rising from her armchair. She rushed towards the oven. “Please have a seat at the table, Cade. Maggie, the salad?”
“Got it, Mom.” Maggie freed her hand and got to her feet. She turned to follow her mother. Then she paused. Without meeting Cade’s eyes, she murmured, “You already make me happy.”
He stared after her as she went over to the kitchen. There, she picked up a large wooden bowl filled to the brim with greens and topped with sliced pears and candied pecans.
Behind him, Dane said, “Go ahead. Sit anywhere you like. We’re on cleanup crew.”
“Yes sir,” Cade said.
He walked over to the dining table, feeling as dazed as if a mule had just kicked him in the head.
Holy shit. I make her happy.
* * *
The pot pie was heavenly. Buttery, flaky golden pastry enclosed tender chunks of chicken and sliced veggies in a cream gravy so delicious it made Cade want to lick his plate.
Annabeth and Maggie had prepared it an oversized pie tin, so there was enough for second and third helpings. The salad, tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette, was fresh and tart, cutting through the richness of the pot pie.
