The two of them chuckle.
“Are you going to find out what you’re having?” I ask the two women.
Emma shrugs. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
“I know what I’m having. It’s a devil spawn,” Molly complains. She’s only just returned from the bathroom, her morning sickness having hit like clockwork. Hope, Harlow, and I had quietly giggled under our breath at the shouted profanities when Dad and Emma tried to comfort her. They both returned with sheepish looks, allowing her to vomit in peace and quiet after that.
“I want it to be a surprise,” Dad announces, and the two women look at him with raised eyebrows. “To me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll love them no matter what they are.”
For a man who is socially awkward as fuck, sometimes he really says the right things. The two women melt into his side, cooing at him. He stands up and pulls them to their feet.
“I think that Molly should have a nap after all that. We’ll be in the master bedroom for the rest of the flight.”
I gag a little internally as the three of them disappear. Pretty sure a nap is not what’s going to be happening.
Both Hope and Harlow look a little ill too, and a peal of laughter leaves Nana’s mouth. “Now, remember this next time any of you want to disappear into a bedroom with one of your men.”
“No problem with that here, Nana. I am one hundred percent celibate… unfortunately.” Hope puts her arm back over her face, so she misses the calculating look on Nana’s face, but Harlow and I don’t. The two of us exchange a grin, knowing what’s in store for our new sister.
“What are your plans for the week?” Harlow asks me, grabbing my hand. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in weeks. You haven’t been home at all.”
Guilt racks me, and I grimace. “I know, and I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll get back to the renovations soon. I’m coming home for a couple of days. I haven’t seen Prada and Coco for ages. I need a break, but I have to be back in town on Thursday. Next week will be better, hopefully.” I stopped all renovations on Willow Castle while I’ve been busy playing media darling, and I miss that peaceful chaos. Sure, the renovations were a lot to organize and deal with, but they were the kind of chaos that I could manage and make my own. I miss that kind of mess.
She waves me off. “I don’t care about the renovations. It’s not like the house isn’t livable. We miss you, is all, and I worry about you. All the media attention you’re getting, you hate that kind of shit, and I guess I just want to check that you’re okay.”
Hope sits up now, a little crease of worry between her eyebrows. We hate lying to her, but we agreed we wouldn’t tell Harlow about the plan because we didn’t want to worry her. Plus, we knew she would tell the boys.
“I’m fine. Ash is a blast. We’ve become really good friends, and at least people are focusing on me and him now, not everything else that happened.”
Poppy’s eyes narrow at my words, but before he can say anything, Jilly interrupts to ask if we want coffee. We all jump at it, except Harlow. She shakes her head and asks for peppermint tea. I guess she’s feeling queasy too.
“Listen, do you want to go for a ride during the week?” I suggest to her, then I remember something. “Oh my god, I’m such a bad fucking sister. Your foal? Did he come? I can’t wait to see him. What did you call him?”
“Yes, and he’s gorgeous! I called him Jupiter. I’d love to ride, but the boys won’t let me take the horses outside of the arena. They say there are too many variables when riding the paths, and they don’t want me to fall. If there was just one of them, I think I’d stand a chance, but it’s impossible to change their minds when they all band together.”
I feel slightly disappointed. “Oh, I completely understand. Don’t worry about it. I’ll ask Dad if he wants to go. We haven’t ridden together since Holden got shot.”
“Shit, that feels like years ago,” Hope murmurs.
“Yeah, it does. Oh hey, Harlow, would you mind if Cole brought his son out to our place and showed him the tiger cubs?”
“Cole has a son?” The blatant surprise in her voice makes me frown. Has it really been so long since we talked that I haven’t told her this? Did she not meet him this weekend? But then I guess he did have a babysitter for the show and afterparty.
“Yeah, he’s freaking adorable, and when I read him a bedtime story the other night, I told him about the cubs, and he begged to see them. I kind of said he could, but I thought I should ask.”
“You read him a bedtime story?” She grins at me, and I shrug.
“Long story. So?” I ask, waving away the question.
“Yeah, of course he can. How old is he?”
“Three, I think. Why?”
“Did you know that Devil Spawn is actually a children’s pony? I have a saddle and bridle for her if he wants to take a pony ride.”
Hope’s mouth comically drops open in horror. “You would let a child near that… that… that monster?” Hope and DS are not friends.
Harlow and I laugh. “DS loves kids and Jacinta. They’ll be fine. Maybe Cole should just watch from the stands though,” she suggests, giggling as Jilly returns with our drinks.
