“I know we’ve not seen all of the secret passages and the like, but I’m surprised that there are none behind some of the large pictures,” Joe said.
Ezzy dropped his fork and groaned.
Berni looked at his youngest son. “So disappointed.”
“Tomorrow, we search pictures,” Finn said.
“That might have to wait. Cresswell is coming tomorrow as are Joe’s parents,” Berni reminded everyone.
“Fine, we can wait,” Ezzy moaned.
“It’s not as if they’ll vanish over the next few days darling,” Aubrey pointed out.
“They might,” Ezzy muttered.
“We could always start looking after dinner,” Jacob suggested.
“Good idea. Then, if we find any before Robbie, I will be the better son, while he, the future Duke, will still be a disappointment.”
“You’re both a disappointment, no matter if you find the missing ones or not,” Aubrey said.
“Mummy, you’re mean,” Ezzy replied, glaring at her.
“Well, dear, you did call me old. In fact, I think you called me ancient.”
“I wouldn’t say that. Your hearing’s going,” Ezzy replied.
“I’d stop now if I was you, son,” Berni cautioned playfully.
“Pah, Mummy loves me.”
“Don’t push this love bit, darling.”
“So Cresswell is due around two tomorrow afternoon. Joe, do you know what time your parents are arriving?” Berni asked.
“They said around two as well. But I can ask them to come later if you want,” Joe offered.
“No, don’t do that. They can all arrive at the same time. Everyone who is home will be out front greeting both Cresswell and your parents, Joe.”
“Thanks. I’m excited and nervous about them coming tomorrow.”
Frank took Joe’s hand, but before he could say anything, Jacob did. “Annfield and Morty will be fine, Joe. All they’ve ever wanted was to see you happy and mated. They’ll love Frank because he’s your mate and makes you happy.”
Joe leant against Frank and nodded. “Yep, that’s true.”
Frank dropped a kiss on the side of Joe’s head. “You make me happy as well.”
CHAPTER 51
Everyone was waiting in a line outside the castle the following afternoon, only Emory and Fran were missing as they were both at work.
After dinner last night they did search some pictures, but Jacob had gotten tired and took himself off to his room. He had been vegging in front of the TV when Fran got home.
Fran had looked so tired that Jacob had helped him into the shower and then put him to bed, with Jacob crawling in beside him and pulling Fran into his arms. Fran had fallen straight to sleep.
But now, here they were, watching a large truck pulling up in front of the castle with two cars following behind. One of the cars being Joe’s parent’s car.
“You’ve got this,” Joe whispered to Jacob, standing beside him in the receiving line.
