Page 38 of Megan's Mate
“It would be a pleasure.”
“Well, come on, bring her. Lived on cruise ships half my life or more,” Colleen began. “I’ll wager I’ve seen more of the sea than you, boy.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it, ma’am.” Nathaniel kept one hand on Megan and offered Colleen his arm. “With a trail of broken hearts in your wake.”
She gave a hoot of laughter. “Damn right.”
The dining room was full of the scents of food and flowers and candle wax. The moment everyone was settled, Trenton II rose, glass in hand.
“I’d like to make a toast.” His voice was as cultured as his dinner suit. “To Cordelia, a woman of extraordinary talents and beauty.”
Glasses were clinked. From his spy hole at the crack in the doorway, Dutch snorted, scowled, then stomped back to his own kitchen.
“Trent.” C.C. leaned toward her husband, her voice low. “You know I love you.”
He thought he knew what was coming. “Yes, I do.”
“And I adore your father.”
“Mmm-hmm...”
“And if he puts the moves on Aunt Coco, I’m going to have to kill him.”
“Right.” Trent smiled weakly and began on the first course.
At the other end of the table, sublimely ignorant of the threat, Trenton beamed at Colleen. “What do you think of The Retreat, Miss Calhoun?”
“I dislike hotels. Never use them.”
“Aunt Colleen.” Coco fluttered her hands. “The St. James hotels are world famous for their luxury and taste.”
“Can’t stand them,” Colleen said complacently as she spooned up soup. “What’s this stuff?”
“It’s lobster bisque, Aunt Colleen.”
“Needs salt,” she said, for the devil of it. “You, boy.” She jabbed a finger down the table at Kevin. “Don’t slouch. You want your bones to grow crooked?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Got any ambitions?”
Kevin stared helplessly and was relieved when his mother’s hand closed over his. “I could be a sailor,” he blurted out. “I steered theMariner.”
“Ha!” Pleased, she picked up her wine. “Good for you. I won’t tolerate any idlers in my family. Too thin. Eat your soup, such as it is.”
With a quiet moan, Coco rang for the second course.
“She never changes.” Lazily content, Lilah rocked while Bianca suckled hungrily at her breast. The nursery was quiet, the lights were low. Megan had headed for it, figuring it would be the perfect escape hatch.
“She’s...” Megan searched for a diplomatic phrase. “Quite a lady.”
“She’s a nosy old nuisance.” Lilah laughed lightly. “But we love her.”
In the next rocker, Amanda sighed. “As soon as she hears about Fergus’s book, she’s going to start nagging you.”
“And badgering,” C.C. put in, cradling Ethan.
“And hounding,” Suzanna finished up as she changed Christian’s diaper.
