Page 135 of Healed
Brandt got one of the gallons of ice cream out of the freezer, and took it over to scoop some into a bowl.
Carnage waited right beside him, and once he’d put some in the bowl and added a spoon, he offered the bowl to Carnage.
Carnage grinned at him, pushed the bowl away, picked up the gallon that was still sitting on the counter top and grabbed the spoon from the bowl. He winked at Brandt, then went into the living room to finish off all but the one serving that he’d left with Brandt.
Brandt laughed and put the bowl on the kitchen island between Angelle and Boon. “Here, have some ice cream.”
“No, thank you. I prefer sherbet,” Boon said.
“So, do I!” Angelle said.
“Peach!” they both said at the same time, then started laughing.
“I don’t have that, but if there’s anything else in there that you want, help yourselves,” Brandt said, walking back into the living room. It was clear to him they were hitting it off and Angelle was comfortable with him. He went over and took possession of his child again then settled in the rocking chair he’d bought for Tempest a couple of months before. He rested Elijah on his shoulder as though he was going to burp him and rocked slowly as he hummed to him.
“He’s good with the baby already,” Boon said.
“Yes, he is,” Angelle said. “And he was so nervous about never handling a baby much.”
“I guess it just comes naturally,” Boon said.
“Guess so. I’ve got practice, though. I helped with Tessa when she was a baby.”
“So, you want babies?” Boon asked Angelle.
“I don’t think it’s in the cards for me, but I love all babies. I’m going to wait a couple of days then come back over and spend some time with the baby when he’s not being passed around so much.”
“Yeah. He might get tired of it and let them all know soon.”
Angelle looked the room over and realized that most, other than the grandparents and great grandparents, were settling for just looking at him, rather than actually holding him. “I think that most are planning the same thing that I am. The grandparents and great grandparents are the ones who deserve to be seeing him more today.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Boon said.
“Well, I live here. I can come over whenever I want,” Angelle said. “Brandt and Tempest are always very welcoming to me.”
“I like Brandt. He’s good for Tempest, and he’s loyal and strong,” Boon said.
“Brandt’s awesome,” Angelle said.
“Is it in your plan to have babies some day, or maybe even just one?” Boon asked.
Angelle looked at Boon. “I don’t know. I always thought of having children. But, now I’m pretty sure that I’ll end up alone. It’s okay, though. I’ve accepted it.”
“Why would you think that?” Boon asked.
Angelle shrugged. “To be honest, I’m not good with people. I get overwhelmed easily. I rarely even spend time with my cousins; everybody you see in this room that is about my age, is a cousin or a clan member, or both. There’s so many of them. I can only take that many people in small doses. I don’t like a lot of noise. I don’t like crowds. I just want to be home. I’m happy with my books and sketch pads, and spending time alone out by the creek. I’ll go camp there when the weather is nice. That’s why I was late getting here. My father had to come find me. I was fishing. I love to fish! I feel so accomplished when I catch one. I throw it back, usually, because I don’t want to hurt them, but I like to catch them.”
Boon laughed. “I like fishing, too. I eat them, though — usually. But I still don’t understand why any of that would make you think you’re going to be alone forever,” Boon said.
“What male, or even man, is going to want to spend his life being limited because his wife is limited? Even if I ever did meet someone, when they figured out how boring I am, and that I don’t want to go out with their friends, and I don’t have a very adventurous spirit, they’d run far and fast. And that’s okay, really. I’m not up to changing myself for anybody. I’d be such an overstimulated mess. I need quiet, and calm. And peacefulness.”
Boon didn’t take her hand in his. Instead, he lay his hand palm up on the edge of the kitchen island right in front of her.
She looked at his hand, then at him.
He lifted his hand toward her a couple of inches, urging her without words to take his hand.
Angelle hesitantly placed her hand in his, then raised her eyes to his as he softly curled his fingers around her hand. “This male would want to be a part of exactly what you described.”
