“They’re worse than the town busybodies, unfortunately,” Arlene said with a shake of her head.
“If Isabelle doesn’t want to go, she won’t,” Ransom said. He did not like the idea of having her surrounded by other people, especially his guys. Not that he would think they’d poach or anything, but he certainly wasn’t going to hear the end of it. “She and I will stay home with Evan.”
Her gaze went laser-straight at him, narrowing down into slits. “Actually, Silke, I’d love to go. Evan, too, if you can make it early so I can get him to bed at eight.”
“We can start at five.” Silke clapped her hands excitedly. “I can’t wait.”
Ransom did not like this one bit. He was hoping to have some alone time with Isabelle tonight, maybe ask Silke to babysit, and he would take Isabelle out to dinner. A proper date, something they’d never done before. However, as Silke and Isabelle talked more about improvements on the lodge restaurant, he couldn’t help but feel some relief that they were getting along, and her irritation at him had lessened as lunch wore on. In fact, she was so distracted that she simply handed him Evan when he was done eating and showed him how to burp him as she talked to Silke about supply management and decor.
Later, just as they were about to have coffee, his phone buzzed. Checking the message, he let out a soft curse. “Sorry,” he said as he got up. “I got some business to attend to.”
“Business?” Silke asked.
“The witches are here.” He quickly explained to them about Cross’s contacts. “They’re out at the perimeter, I should go see to them. I’ll see you later, ladies.” Turning to Isabelle, he brushed his hand down her arm quickly before she could protest. “Have Silke call me if you need anything.” He ruffled Evan’s head and strode out toward the exit, hoping that this wouldn’t take too long.
Chapter Fifteen
Isabelle had to admit, she was having a lot of fun. Before she had Evan, she went to a lot of parties and clubs, but frankly, she lost the desire to go out the moment she found out she was pregnant. She didn’t miss it at all. Looking back, she realized how boring those parties were and how superficial those so-called friends had been. With the exception of Maxine, everyone wanted to be around her because she could get them into the hottest clubs, vacation spots, and restaurants, not because they liked her. And why should they have liked her? She’d been a nasty, vain person back then.
Out here, however, everything just seemed so … genuine. Sure, they were drinking wine out of a box, and many of the guests probably wouldn’t have been let into the most prestigious clubs in New York, but she would rather be here than anywhere else.
From the moment she stepped onto the outdoor deck, everyone wanted to meet her, especially all the members of the Savage Wolves MC. It was easy to tell who they were, not just because they were all Lycans, but by the leather vests they wore with the Savage Wolves logo—a roaring wolf head. Come to think of it, Ransom had been wearing the same thing this morning when he came back.
She did her best to remember their names as they introduced themselves to her. Hawk was the guy with the mohawk, so that was easy, and his brother was Snake. Ink was their “proby”—a probationary member, so his vest had a patch on front that proclaimed his status. Bo was the older man with the salt-and-pepper hair and also Arlene’s “old man.” Axle was the charming one with the pretty blue eyes and then there was Hardy, father to Annie, a precocious three-year-old who was fascinated by Evan. The little girl had begged to hold him, so Isabelle helped her sit down on a chair and placed him on her lap.
“Daddy, Daddy, look!” she cried out proudly, bouncing Evan on her lap.
“Good job, sweetie,” Hardy said. “Keep him steady … no sweetie, not like that, he’s not a doll.”
Annie looked down at Evan who seemed content to let her hold him. “Daddy, I want one.”
Isabelle couldn’t help burst out laughing as Hardy paled visibly.
“Uh, you might be a bit too young, Annie,” he said.
“I know that, Daddy.” She rolled her eyes in the most adorable way. “I want a baby brother or sister. Can I get one, please? I promise to be good. You don’t even have to get me a Christmas present.”
A vein throbbed on Hardy’s head as he contemplated an answer. Wanting to spare the poor man, Isabelle spoke up.
“Annie, it’s getting chilly.” The sun was setting fast behind the mountains. “Evan has a sweater with dinosaurs all over it. It’s in his bag over there by the door. Would you be a sweetheart and get it for me?”
“Sure!” She let Isabelle take Evan off her lap, and the little girl bounded away.
“Thanks, you really saved my bacon there,” Hardy said, smiling sheepishly.
“Don’t worry, at least now I know I have about two years to think about what to say to Evan once he starts asking for a baby brother or sister.”
Hardy laughed. “Well, Ransom’ll want a big family, so maybe he doesn’t need to ask.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that there was no way she was going to have more children by Ransom, but she just couldn’t, so instead she gave him a tight smile. The party was in full swing, the evening was lovely, and everyone was enjoying themselves, so why would she ruin it by flatly telling Hardy that there was no way in hell she and Ransom were going to be together?
“Isabelle, Isabelle, I found it!” Annie waved the sweater at her. “Can I help put it on, please?”
“Of course.” She knelt down and instructed Annie on how to put the sweater on Evan.
“There’s my handsome nephew,” Silke exclaimed as
