“Yes, I have. Lily can cook as well as Avaleigh. And they’re trading recipes of the things each doesn’t cook so before long, I’m sure they’ll both be equal to world class chefs.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Boon said. “Angelle is in the bath or she’d come say hi.”
“Not a problem. We’re not here to intrude on your privacy; just want to be sure she’s secure and has the opportunity to choose her own outcomes.”
“Appreciate that. Wish you’d explain the privacy thing to him,” Boon said, pointing at Carnage.
Daniel laughed. “I’m sure he knows and just probably doesn’t care.”
Carnage laughed, nodding. “’Mon. Deemah,” he said, waving Daniel to follow him.
Daniel watched as Carnage gathered five poles and a tackle box, leaving two more tackle boxes and a very large basket on the porch. “I’ll get these,” he said.
Carnage nodded.
“Are we going to fish right here?” Daniel asked, looking out at the bayou.
“No, you’re going to Dima’s,” Boon said. “He’s my father’s best friend. He’s a very nice male, very good male.”
“Looking forward to meeting him,” Daniel said.
“His place is off another branch of this bayou. It’s one of my father’s favorite fishing spots.”
Daniel nodded, but instead of walking away, seemed hesitant to leave and unsure of what exactly to say. Finally he looked Boon right in the eye and without flinching asked what he needed to know. “She alright?”
Boon nodded. He’d had no doubt that Daniel would be able to detect the slight shift in his scent now that he and Angelle were mated. Which in retrospect is probably the reason Carnage was trying to prevent Daniel from entering the house. “She’s great. We both are. We’re just moving a little more slowly today, taking advantage of the morning to sleep in and hang around the house together.”
“It’s official, though,” Daniel said.
“Yes, sir. It is. We mutually decided to take the step. Neither of us could consider a future without the other regardless of what else comes our way. Rest assured, I will die for her.”
“Let’s hope it never comes to that. If she’s decided to accept you as her mate, she’d be devastated if anything happened to you. Nobody wants that.”
Boon smiled and nodded.
Daniel put down the tackle boxes and the basket he’d picked up, then embraced Boon. “Welcome to the family, Boon.”
Boon hugged him back. “Thank you, sir.”
Daniel nodded, stepped back and picked up the boxes and the basket again. “She’s in the bath?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll see you later, baby!” Daniel called out.
“Good morning, Daddy! Okay!” Angelle answered, her voice raised so he could hear her. She still forgot that he could hear so much better than most. The tinkling sound of the water from her bath as she moved confirming that she was indeed taking a bath. But he’d already known that because he’d detected no lie from Boon when Boon had told him where Angelle was.
“Have a good day. I have no doubt that you’ll need to relax as much as you can if this party of Lily’s is even half of what she anticipates it being.”
“Oh, no,” Boon said.
“Oh, yeah. Females should not plan the parties. Males should. Just a few people, a little bit of food, and only one drink per person,” Daniel said.
“Because everybody goes home when the food and drink run out,” Boon said.
“Exactly,” Daniel agreed.
Carnage shook his head. “’Arnge wan chocat ice.”
