Page 169 of Lavender Lake

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“Why?” Poet demanded.

“Because there’s some sort of fertility juice in Huckleberry Hill. And I have no interest in getting pregnant,” Wyn said.

“It’s not so much Huckleberry Hill,” Poet said. “Just steer clear of hot cowboy bikers and you should be good.”

“Like cowboy sperm isn’t already potent enough? You gotta add the biker aspect to it?” Wyn asked. “It’s like a double whammy.”

“No pun intended,” Poet said gesturing to both me and Hadley.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

The Ranch

I knocked gently on my father’s bedroom door.

“Come in,” he called.

I opened the door and stepped inside.

“Salem,” Dad said.

“I know that tone,” I groaned.

“Tone? There’s no tone.”

“There was definitely a tone.” I closed the door and moved into the room. “That was theI’m very disappointed in you, young ladytone.”

Dad’s lips flickered like he wanted to smile. “Even if that were true, when has that tone ever worked on you?”

He patted his bedside.

“Cas came to talk to me,” he said.

“Yeah, I heard,” I muttered. With heavy feet, I trudged to the vacant side and curled up at the foot of the bed.

“Come closer.”

I inched up the bed coverlet.

Dad reached his hand out, searching for mine.

I gave it to him.

“You and your sister are determined to turn my hair gray,” he said.

“You’re blaming Hadley too?” I beamed. “That’s a first.”

Dad chuckled. “It’s true you’ve caused more turmoil over the years, but lately, Hadley’s held her own.”

“You’re disappointed, aren’t you? In me?”

“I’ve never been disappointed in you.”

“That’s not true.”

“It’s very true.” He squeezed my hand. “You’re making me a grandfather. How the hell am I supposed to be disappointed with that news?”

“But the timing,” I said.

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