For the most part, Addy felt up to snuff. Her leg still ached, but not like it had. And the stitches had come out of her belly yesterday. She experienced tenderness but no lasting pain. An ibuprofen and she was good to go.
She had talked to her parents, who planned to come back for Thanksgiving in another month or so. The children at school missed her, butafter hearing that their teacher had been involved in that nightmare where some wacko had shot up the local daycare, they’d sent her cards and get-well wishes galore.
Noel’s people had been quick in forging the narrative they wanted in the official reports. Not a whisper of anything other than Brent going off his rocker and shooting up Solene’s daycare had made the news. He’d been off hismedication, the poor guy. And the story had turned from raging violent shoot-up to the plight of those with mental illness who didn’t get the help they needed.
Everything and everyone had normalled out. Addy planned to go back to work on Monday, after a relaxing weekend with Noel—if she could get the blasted man to ease up. For someone who’d suffered so much, he sure healed fast.
He’d been up and moving last week, against Vi’s recommendation. He’d also pulled some stitches that needed re-stitching. And then she’d seen Vi’s temper in action. Not a woman she wanted to piss off, though Hammer had been more than intrigued.
“What do you really think of Vi?” she asked.
“Aside from being a human vampire? Always taking my blood? She’s okay, I guess.”
“Noel.”Addy laughed and sat next to him on the back porch of his home. They watched the others playing a brutal game of badminton in the backyard. Guys against girls. And the guys were getting their butts handed to them. “What’s really wrong, baby?”
He gripped her hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a jerk.”
“You just can’t help yourself.” She smiled to take the sting out.
He laughed.He did that a lot more around her now. The guys had accused her of melting Ice. And she liked the notion.
“Addy, I’m out now. I’m done with the profession.” He seemed uncomfortable. “I don’t know what to do with myself, exactly. But I’ll find something. I swear.”
“I know. It’s okay, Noel. You’re in no rush. I’m not, at least. We can take it slow. You’re smart. You probably have savings.If not, I have some. It’s not much on a teacher’s salary, but my parents kind of gave me their place rent-free.” What a blessing.
His cheeks turned that delightful shade of pink that looked so incongruous on a face that could freeze a man in his tracks. “I’m not poor, you know.”
“Of course not.” She hoped she hadn’t hurt his feelings.
“I mean, I’mreallynot. The Businesspaid us well. Very, very well. And I know how to invest.” He blew out a breath. “I never have to work again if I don’t want to.”
She stared. “Oh, well… You’re rich?”
“Pretty much.” He shrugged. “I want to marry you. I want us to live here. And then there’s the baby.”
She bit back a grin, so happy her joy threatened to burst through her. “Right. The baby. Can we please givehim a name now?”
“None of us knows who he belongs to. But I’m ready to make him mine. If the others go back to the life, they can’t keep him safe. I can.” He looked into her eyes and held her hand. “Wecan.”
“Yes.” She leaned close to kiss him. “We can. I love you, Noel. And I’ll love Griffith too.”
“You mean Ryan. Or Daniel. Or maybe Jace, I like that name too.” He smiledthen sobered. “But Addy, this isn’t over. Something you should know…”
“What?”
He leaned closer so the others wouldn’t overhear. “I got the DNA results in the mail today.”
“Oh my God. And?”
“I didn’t wait for the others. I needed to know.” He sounded defensive.
“Like I care. Tell me.”
He paused. “I’m not going to tell the others yet. I think we should keepthis between us, at least for now. We have enough to worry about.”
“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to give you another scar,right now.”
“The father? It’s none of us, Addy.Noneof us are the father.”
