Page 458 of Hell Hath No Fury
Zaius was now the president of the Burning Saints Savannah chapter, which Duke rode with on occasion, and they’d become our closest friends in the world.
“Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?” Ronnie asked.
“Oh, because one probably just walked through me,” I retorted, and she chuckled.
“Honeeeee, you have no vision,” Ronnie retorted. “This house was built in 1802. Imagine the stories these walls could tell.”
“Literally,” I said.
She grinned. “I’ll help you. It’ll be fun.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying this.”
Ronnie took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Show me around. I want to see what I have to work with.”
Ronnie touted herself as an interior designer, although, I’d never seen her actually do any design work. But if she wantedto give me ideas for this house, I was open to suggestions, and happy to hear them.
“I’ll show Michael his room,” Duke said.
“I’ll go with you,” Zaius offered, and the men made their way upstairs.
“I guess we’ll start in the library,” I said, and led Ronnie into the dark room. “The power of Christ compels you,” I muttered.
“What?” Ronnie asked.
“Nothing,” I said.
She smiled. “This place is beautiful, Grace. It’s practically a blank canvas.”
“Well, I guess that’s true,” I conceded.
“A coat of paint, some updated appliances and furniture, and you’ll fall in love with it.”
I smiled. “Thank you for helping me see the positive, honey. I’m so hormonal with this baby, I think I’ve been a bit of a whiner.”
“You’re allowed to be,” Ronnie said. “But soon, you’ll bring a new life into the world and your home will be ready and waiting.”
I grinned. “You’re right.”
“Let’s go find the boys. We can do a bigger tour later.”
“With over ten-thousand square feet, it’ll probably take a few days to tour it all anyway.”
Ronnie laughed. “This is true.”
We found our men and spent the rest of the evening playing charades, eating fondue, and listening to records.
* * *
Three days later, I was in the hospital and in heavy labor. Ronnie and Zaius were watching Michael so Duke could be with meduring the delivery. Dr. Belmont was older and didn’t seem to understand Duke’s insistence on wanting to be in the room for the birth, but he was adamant. Duke said that next to meeting me, being there for Michael’s birth was the most amazing experience of his life. Wild horses couldn’t have dragged him out of that delivery room, let alone snotty looks from square medical staff.
“I’m so proud of you,” Duke said as he held my hand.
“I don’t care how proud you are, I want your spawn out of me!”
Duke kept hold of me but turned his head away quickly. I could see his shoulders rising and falling rapidly.
“Are you laughing at me?” I asked in between a series of short breaths.
