Page 171 of Lavender Lake
He smiled, his eyes bright with the idea. “Ah, just another reason to heal.”
“Rest up, Dad. We’re not going anywhere.”
Cas was sitting in a camp chair at the fire circle, his expression sullen. He picked up a bottle of beer and took a sip.
I approached, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him.
“Not in the mood, woman.”
“Don’twomanme, you scoundrel. You told my dad I was pregnant before I got a chance to do it.”
“I—”
“No,I’m talking,” I snapped. “You told my father I was pregnant.”
“We’re not speaking.”
“You and I? Oh, we’re speaking. We’re going to be doinga lotof speaking.”
“Not you and I. Declan and I. Declan and me? Whatever. We’re not talking.” He sighed. “I feel like an ass.”
His shoulders slumped and my anger vanished. I went to sit in the chair next to him and scooted it closer.
I put my hand on his knee. “This is a fucking mess, you get that, right?”
“Yeah.” His hand covered mine. “My best friend isn’t talking to me.”
“And you’re not talking to him,” I pointed out. “Mutual anger, it would seem.”
“What about you and Hadley?”
“We’re fine. Turns out, she knew I was pregnant all along.”
“Did she? Nice of her to say something,” he muttered.
“She was trying to trick it out of me. Raw steak, Declan’s wedding brew . . .” I shook my head.
“And how did everyone else react to the baby?”
“Once everything died down, they were all really happy for us. My dad was a big surprise, actually. I expected a lecture.”
“No lecture?”
“None. He just wants me to be happy. And,” I added, looking at Cas, “he said, his blessing didn’t matter because it was my blessing you needed in order to marry me.”
“Well, sure.” Cas nodded. “I know that. But there are societal norms, traditions, that are expected. If our daughter’s future husband doesn’t ask for my blessing, I’ll be very unhappy.”
“What if we have a son and he comes home married from an elopement?”
Cas’s eyes widened. “Are you trying to kill me already?”
“No, darling,” I teased. “Our child will be the source of all your gray hair. I promise you.” I raked my fingers through his locks. “You’ll look good gray. Sexy.”
“I have a few more years before that happens . . . hopefully,” he murmured.
“Declan was ready to punch you. And you were going to let him.”
“Seemed only right. I did fuck his wife’s sister.”
