Page 21 of The Devil's Detail
“Well, sugar, I’m in. It’ll be nice to see everyone. FaceTime just does not cut it. I need to smell that baby smell. Hear the chatter of those boys.”
He snorts. “You’ll be grabbing for the earplugs after an hour. Those twins are loud.” But he’s smiling. And making notes on his phone.
“Right then.” He stands and towers over me on the sofa. “I’ll get us set to fly up and take a car from the airport.”
My eyes run up his body. I can’t look away.
He clocks my appreciative stares and doesn’t look away. Instead, his dark eyes hold me captive. He knows I’m looking, and he is not bothered by it at all.
“We’ll go tomorrow morning. Just take a bag for the week. I’ll sort out all your other stuff to go straight to LA.”
I’m nodding like a very obedient dog. It’s all I can do, completely mute as he takes charge. And I love every second of it.
We arrive earlyin the evening, but the nights are light, and here they seem to be lighter even longer. I can’t decide what to look at first—the view, the house, or the little gaggle of people at the front doors. I wave manically as I spot Evie. Her father-in-law, Tarron, who I’ve met on FaceTime, is holding the baby. And the twins are being restrained by their dads.
I spring out of the car and head straight for my friend. She comes towards me with a big smile.
“Carter, I’m so glad you came. I was so pleased when Jackson suggested it, and you could fit it in.” Oh, dear, she’s got genuine tears in her eyes, but she brushes them away on a slight laugh. “I’m sorry, I’m still a little hormonal.” She hugs me hard, then releases me to do the introductions. “You’ve met Tarron, Xan’s dad. Highland Chieftain, and Lord Sutherland. I’m not going into all his other titles, we’ll be here all week.” She laughs lightly.
I’ve never met him in person, and with a lineage like that, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to bow or what. I end up doing a sort of nod. But he steps forwards and clasps my forearm.
“You’re very welcome, Carter. Evie’s told me a lot about you. I hope you like our highland home.”
I’ve never heard such an elegant accent, and I’ve listened to more than a few for parts over the years. But he also has this strange twang, something I’ve noticed in movies and TV shows that seems unique to Scots. I’m fascinated by it. But I lose all interest in getting him talking as I spot the baby he handed over to Xander when he greeted me.
“Oh my Gawd! Is she… Can I… Oh my, she is one hell of a beauty. Hey there, little girl. Ain’t you the apple of your papa’s eye.”
I look from her to Xander’s face. She has his colouring. Bright blue eyes that seem to melt into the sky here. And dark black hair that offsets the blue. I’m struck dumb, but he hands her over.
“I feel like a bumbling idiot here.” The emotion’s making my drawl stronger as I manoeuvre the precious bundle. I gaze into the eyes of Rio, and I’m sunk—hook, line, and sinker. “I think she’s put a spell on me,” I say dazedly.
“Yep, that’s Rio.” Jackson’s deep voice steps up at my side. He’s hugged his sister, hand clasped Tarron and his brothers-in-law, and now joins me. He smiles down at the baby, his face soft, his eyes full of love. I feel as if some magical bond has entwined itself around me.
“Look, Jackson, she’s smiling at you.”
I smile widely up at him. Our heads are close together, his body touching mine. I’ve completely forgotten that we have an audience, but I’m pretty sure we have identical looks on our faces. My breath stutters when I see the depth of emotion he has for this baby, and the people around me. I lift my head and I see the same emotions I’m feeling reflected on everyone’s faces. They all love him as much as I do. That says a lot about a man, and the fact is not lost on me.
If only I had this type of connection with anyone. I would finally feel… complete.
The twins break free and are clambering for Jackson to pick them up. They only have a few words, but they certainly make it known what they want. The moment he lifts them both up, they’re hugging him and clinging to him like little koalas. He kisses their heads and turns them so they can both see me.
“This is Carter”—he tips his head toward me—“and Ash.” He spins them around to point out Ash. They’re checking us both out, the most adorably serious looks on their faces as he finishes the introductions. “This is Sorley, and this is Lachlan.” I’m not sure how he tells them apart. They look exactly the same. When he talks to them, he uses the softest tone I’ve ever heard. It’s still all serious Jackson, letting them know he means business, but the depth of love and kindness can’t be missed either. “Be nice, and I’ll take you out on the cart.”
That hits the spot. The noise level increases, and they start to wriggle to get down. They dash off somewhere, returning minutes later with a bicycle with a cart attached to the back. Tommy—Evie’s security—is helping them manhandle the thing, because of course they want to do it all themselves but the thing is way too big for them. It’s freaking adorable.
“See this? I get bullied the entire time I’m here.” He pretends to look defeated and everyone laughs.
Yep. Freaking. Adorable.
“Join the club, brother. It’s our normal.” Marcus Russell has one of the boys in his arms now and is kissing his face. The other one clutches hold of his jeans, shouting, “Me,me,me. Daddy, Me!”
The fun and banter continues into the house, where I’m fed, watered, and shown to my room. Jackson is my guide, pointing out different rooms, artwork, and details along the way.
“You come here a lot.” I hadn’t realised he did. But then, they flit around the world as much as I do.
Standing at my window, I fully take in the view. Mountains, a blaze of purple at the bottom, slowly change to barren slopes with bits of green at the top. The lake with the island in the middle. The clouds casting shadows as they sail across the sky. It’s an overload on your senses. Changing, fleeting… but constantly beautiful.
“It’s so beautiful here.” My words are almost a whisper.
