“I guess I’m not the only one who can read minds, huh?”
He smiled and slowed at a light. “Gramma Finnie would say you look like someone just danced over your grave. Is everything okay back there?”
“Yeah.” She held his gaze, staring at those eyes, imagining…all the things. “I’m thinking about it,” she admitted softly.
He laughed. “I told you. Once that seed gets planted…” He winked. “See what I did there? Seed?”
She laughed. “I’ve created a monster.”
“Hey, our baby will not be a monster.”
She laughed, an infectious joy rising up every time they slipped into their old banter…and at how easily they could discuss this new possibility. “Well, I was just sitting back here with Judah thinking that this feels like, you know, coming home from the hospital with a new baby.”
His eyes flashed in response. “Only this baby is hairier.”
“Much.” She stroked Judah’s fur. “And his tongue is bigger than anything we could produce.”
He let out a slow breath. “You’re joking about it. That’s a good sign.”
“You think?”
“I know.” He started driving slowly, looking from the mirror to the road and back. “You make jokes when something gets really serious for you.”
“Not always.”
“Usually.”
“You think you know me so well.”
“I do,” he said. “And I know you’re not happy about the PT situation.”
“We’ll make it work, right, Judah?” She leaned over and pressed a light kiss on his head.
“What did he say?” Declan asked.
“He said…wait.” She put her ear next to his snout and nodded. “Mmm. Uh-huh. Yeah, I think you’re right. Declan is definitely that.”
“Declan is definitely what?” he asked on a chuckle.
“A very good daddy.”
He beamed at her. “Honey, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
The words made her whole body feel like she was floating on air, but she didn’t get a chance to figure out a way to tell him that because they reached the driveway to Gloriana House, which was full of cars. She recognized Molly’s van and Yiayia’s Buick, plus a few others she’d seen the day before at Waterford.
“An impromptu Mahoney-Kilcannon party?” she asked.
“That’s what my family does, E. They’re here to support. Yiayia probably brought Greek cookies that Alex made. Gramma Finnie undoubtedly embroidered Judah his own pillow, complete with an Irish saying. Molly wants to check on him, General Pru wants to tell us all how to do it right, and Connor’s here to keep things light. It’s how we roll.”
And it would be exactly how they rolled if she had Declan’s baby. At least, if she had Declan’s baby and stayed in Bitter Bark. The family would surround that child with love and support and humor and food and more love. A family like she never had and couldn’t give a baby on her own.
“You are so loved, big boy,” she whispered to Judah. And so was Declan.
That was abundantly clear as they brought Judah in the front door to find the welcoming committee—including Granddaddy, who’d dressed and put in his dentures for the occasion—gathered in the entryway to celebrate their four-legged hero.
As Evie greeted them all with hugs and hellos, answering questions and letting them gently and cautiously wish Judah well, she slipped over to her grandfather.
“You okay, Granddaddy? Did you get yourself all ready alone this morning?”
“Finnie helped me,” he whispered. “She called, and I told her the back door is always open.”
“Oh.” She looked over to the little Irish woman, who was fussing over Judah along with the others. “How sweet.”
“And the Greek one brought cookies that tasted like Zeus himself made them.”
She smiled at him, taking in the flush in his cheeks and the gleam in his usually tired eyes. “I’m so happy to hear that.”
“And she announced that something magnificent happened in the museum room.” He leaned in. “Did it? Last night, maybe?”
A rush of blood warmed her cheeks. Something magnificent almost happened. How the heck did Yiayia know that? Had she planted a camera in the room?
“So it’s true,” Granddaddy said. “You wouldn’t be blushing if it wasn’t.”
She felt her eyes flash wide. “Those ladies are crazy,” she whispered. “And are you sure you’re not too tired for all this?”
“Pffft. Listen, Evangeline. Just stop everything and listen. What do you hear?”
She took a breath for composure, then did as he asked. “I hear people talking. Laughing. Making the place echo with…” Her voice faded out as she deciphered his pleased expression and happy nod. “You like that, don’t you?”
“I’ve missed it so much it hurts,” he admitted. “The only thing I’d love more is to hear my sweet Penny play that piano.” He grinned. “You did, didn’t you?”
“Play the piano?” She frowned. “No, I haven’t.”
He looked surprised, but just then, Molly came over. “I hope you don’t mind that Pru and I found the only bedroom on the first floor and set Judah up in there. I know you’re going to want to sleep with him, and he can’t do the stairs.”
“Molly, how thoughtful. You put him in the former maid’s room?”
“That’s a maid’s room?” Pru sidled up next to her mother. “It’s bigger than my parents’ room.”
Evie laughed. “Don’t you go to school?” she asked with a teasing poke in her arm.
“I took the morning off to help, but I’m only missing social studies and PE.”
Molly gave an apologetic look. “I know, worst mother ever. But she’s number one in her class. Come on, let’s take Judah back to his room. I think you’re going to like what we did.”
Touched and a little overwhelmed, Evie followed, but Declan snagged her arm as she passed. “I’m going to run out for a little bit, but I should be back in a few hours.”
“Okay.” She frowned. “Do you work at five today?”
“Yeah, but I have a quick errand to do, then I’ll see you. You’re in good hands.”
“Many of them,” she agreed, tempted to give him a kiss goodbye. But Molly urged her on and took her past the kitchen and around the back stairs to what Grandmama had called the “servant’s quarters,” but her
