Page 77 of A Not So Merry Rescue
“Oh. Right. The baby. Pregnancy brain.” She smacks her forehead lightly. “Shit. Do not tell Beckett or Lenny. And can you feign shock when we announce it tonight at dinner? You’re coming to dinner tonight, right? Beckett invited you? If not, here’s your invite.”
“My lips are sealed. Yes, he invited me to dinner. I’d offer tobring something, but I’m a disaster in the kitchen. Though we can stop and pick up some alcohol or something. Would that be good? What does everyone like?” Once I start rambling, it’s hard to stop.
She dismisses my offer with a wave. “Nonsense. You’re a guest. And Dax is always on alcohol duty. If there’s something you want, I’ll text him now before he goes to the store.” She pulls her phone out, poised at the ready for my order.
“I’m not too picky. I’m sure there’ll be something I can drink.”
She sets the phone down on the counter and sets to work making dinner for the guests. As she prepares the meal—roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a salad—she tells me about how she got into the bed-and-breakfast business, how she met her husband, too much history about Winterberry I’ll never remember, and as promised, embarrassing stories about Beckett. Those are my favorite. I don’t think he’ll be pleased to learn she spilled the beans, but he’s not the angry type either. Beyond the first night when he found out I’m not into Christmas.
“Do you provide meals every night?”
“No. We try to do our best during the busier seasons, but it’s not included in the room’s price nor is it advertised. Depends on how busy my week or days are or if I feel like cooking. I try to plan out when I’ll do it, but it doesn’t always work out. Some weeks, I’ll cook every night, especially if I’m mad or upset. Other weeks, I don’t cook at all for the guests.”
“Did you learn to cook from your grandmother, too?”
She smiles and places her hand over her heart, nostalgia washing over her features. “He told you about Nana. He can be such a pain in my rear, but he’s got this soft, sweet side that makes it hard to stay mad at him. Ever since he was little, I often forgot he was the younger brother the way he’d taken care of me. Too bad he hasn’t found the right woman yet. With his sympathy for everyone in spades, he’s going to make a great husband.”
“You’re right. He will.”
My heart pangs.Lucky bitch.
She starts to say something else, but the guys entering interrupt it.
“The men have moved the boxes,” Lenny boasts, his chest puffed with pride. No one mentioned what kind of boxes needed moving, so maybe his pride is warranted.
Heidi rolls her eyes at her husband. “Knew you could do it.”
“Willa and I are off to change and head to Mom and Dad’s,” Beckett exclaims. To me, he says, “Did you hear all the embarrassing stories?”
“I did. Sounds like you were a bit of a troublemaker back in the day.”
Beckett glares at his sister. “Whatever she told you, I can top with stupid shit she did.”
Heidi goes to protest, but her husband wraps her up in his arms, planting a kiss on her lips.
Their love is evident. Blessed woman.
“Willa, we must escape before they make out. It’ll scar you for life.”
“Love you too, little bro. See you soon, Willa.” I catch the tail end of Heidi’s comment as Beckett tugs me out of the kitchen, down the hall, and out the front door.
“Do you need to shower or just change your clothes?”
“I’m kinda thinking I need to wash off the sex smell before meeting your parents.”
Beckett halts his retreat to the car. “You smell perfect to me.”
“You’d think that since it’s your fault I smell like this.”
“If I let you shower now?—”
I cut him off. “I’m sorry. If youletme?” Though I’m half joking, I’m reminded of my mission to rile him up. “How about I tell you I’m showering when we get home?”
“Great, fine. Then tonight, after coitus, sleep next to me still smelling like sex.”
“Nice use of coitus.”
He bends in half, taking a bow. “Thank you. Do we have a deal?”
