Page 40 of Owned By a Billionaire

He looked at me for some reason, which made me wonder if he meant something else.

Julian stared up at him wide-eyed, hanging off his instructor’s words as though it meant everything to have Cary’s support.

“Wise words,” Declan said, kissing Theadora yet again. I’d lost count. Their public display of affection, as with Ethan and Mirabel’s amorous exchanges, was something quite out of the ordinary to my mind.

While my inner cynic, somewhat tempered by age, might have once baulked at such sugary exchanges, I found solace in knowing that they were all in love and thriving.

The grandchildren, much to my delight, had also taken to Cary, despite him being a little awkward around them at first. He’d even read them books by C. S. Lewis and Enid Blyton in the library. With that deep, sonorous voice, he always engrossed them and me, too, since I’d missed out on those timeless stories growing up.

Carson arrived and hugged Savanah then went to the twins. He lifted them both from their cribs and cradled them lovingly in his muscular arms.

They’d chosen to remain at Merivale, which heartened me. The estate was large enough to house everyone while still maintaining a level of privacy. That was the beauty of double-brick walls.

I would have loved Declan and Ethan there, too, but they seemed happy living in their cottages, as I often referred to their homes, despite their protests to the contrary. But then, every dwelling looked small compared to the majesty of Merivale.

Despite Carson’s burgeoning security agency often taking him to London, Savanah insisted they live at Merivale. Manon also wanted to stay on. I sensed Drake was still a little hesitant, but Manon held her ground. Merivale had her heart, and she vowed to stay until her last breath.

I turned to Declan. “Can we talk somewhere?”

He gave me one of those What is it now? looks. We’d had a lot to deal with over the past few years, so I couldn’t blame that cautious response.

I went over to Cary and whispered, “Half an hour?”

He almost winked at me, which made me recoil and smile at the same time.

Declan stepped into the library.

“Close the door,” I instructed.

“You’ve had it fixed.” He shut the door. “At last.”

I nodded, exhaling.

“So, what’s up?” he asked.

“I think I owe you an apology.”

“Oh?”

“Well, I wasn’t exactly supportive of the organic farm.”

“That’s okay, Mum. As a father now myself, I get that concept of familial expectations. And you had yours. Anyway, we’ve all found our calling, it would seem.” He held my gaze for a moment. “You seem happy with Cary. We’ve noticed a change in you.”

“As you once said, love changes us.”

Declan nodded. “So, when’s the wedding?”

“Not sure. Cary keeps sidestepping it.” I gave him a weak smile. “Not that I’m hounding him.”

“But he’s devoted to you.” He frowned. “And we all like him.”

“That’s encouraging, I suppose.” I sighed. “You’d think he’d want to become a part of all this. Make it official.”

“What about a prenup? He is living here.”

I crossed my hands and shook my head. His look of surprise acted as a reminder that I’d taken my eyes off the road.

“The solicitor wants me to,” I said.

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