I bowed my head and kissed her on the lips as a small of amount of irritation clawed at me. I hated how the instant we arrived, her happiness vanished. “I promise this isn’t hell.” I kept my voice playful, hoping to garner a smile or a roll of her eyes. “If it is, we have each other.” I made a mental note to start searching for a hideaway spot like Webb and Jo’s. My sister wouldn’t mind us using her beach house, but I wanted one of my own. I always had.
“It’s not that,” she said.
“Why don’t we go inside first? Then you can tell me.”
She nodded as I ushered her through the door.
Suddenly, the lights flickered on, and people shouted, “Surprise! Welcome home! Congratulations!”
Layla and I reared back, exchanging wide-eyed looks.
She beamed. “Did you know about this, Sam?”
I knew Harley, Jo, and Jordyn would be waiting for us but not Webb, my dad, Tripp, and Doc.
Jo dashed up to us, wearing a huge grin, her silver eyes dancing with delight. “He didn’t. This was a collective decision by all of us.” She stabbed a thumb behind her.
Harley and Jordyn were standing by the wall of windows. Webb, Tripp, Doc, and my dad were near the kitchen island on the living room side.
Jordyn hurried up to her sister. The bruises on her face had lightened, she seemed to be free of pain, and the cast on her arm was covered in drawings and names. “You look fab, sis. Rested, happy, and glowing.”
Layla hooked her arm around Jordyn’s, and the two went up to Harley. The strawberry blonde nodded at me.
While the three of them chatted, I asked Jo quietly, “Is everything ready with the nursery?”
“Of course, brother. Remember who you’re talking to: planner, detail-oriented sister. I get shit done.”
“That you do,” I said as I hugged her, then joined my dad, Tripp, Webb, and Doc, who were standing in the living room near the kitchen island.
After handshakes, bro hugs, and more congratulations, Webb and Tripp excused themselves. They had a meeting with Sawyer and informed me they would bring me up to speed when I reported for duty the next day.
Doc went over and joined Layla, Harley, Jordyn, and Jo, leaving my dad and me alone.
My father gripped my shoulder. “Son, proud isn’t a strong enough word to describe how I feel about you and what you’ve accomplished. You will be a great husband and a loving father.”
Our relationship had been a rocky road for a few years, but we’d worked out our differences. Now, he was one of the most important people in my life. “And you’ll be an awesome grandpa.”
He chuckled. “I feel old.”
“Pops, you are old,” I said playfully. He didn’t look over a hundred, but he was.
We both laughed.
“I need to run. The council is still up my ass with the media bullshit. We’ll talk tomorrow.” After we exchanged a hug, he zipped out.
Doc and Layla talked about scheduling an exam, then he left.
The four women regarded me. Jo, Harley, and Jordyn all gave me that are-you-going-to-show-her look.
I was dying to see Layla’s face when she walked into the nursery.
Harley curled her strawberry-blond hair around her ear as she opened up a telepathic connection.The blindfold is on the coffee table. Layla is going to freak. I hope you like it too.
I picked up the silk fabric and sauntered up to Layla.
Lines dented her smooth forehead. “What’s that for?” She pointed at the white silk fabric in my hand.
Man, I had several sexual innuendos on the tip of my tongue. “I have a surprise for you.”
