“Both, Dad,” Sebastian laughed. “With this one, I’m thinking always both.”
Then my shoulders slumped in disappointment when I realized my plan wouldn’t work.
“What is it, Seri?” Sebastian gave me a gentle smile. “We can do whatever you want.”
“It’s outside, and the sun’s down.” I sighed and tried to think of what else we could do.
“Scared of the dark, daughter?” Lucian said with a blank face, but I knew he was teasing me
“No, I just can’t see to drive the golf cart,” I pouted.
“Wecan.” Sebastian winked at me, making me blush. “Wearethe dark, after all.”
“Now you sound like a bad vampire movie,” I laughed.
#
The golf cart’s leather seats were a little cool as I sat down in the center row.
“Lakeside air is medicinal,” I announced.
“And the snacks?” Sebastian raised an eyebrow at the picnic basket.
“Absolutely mandatory, I’m sure,” Lucian murmured.
“Part of my pre-bedtime routine,” I agreed solemnly.
Brumous hopped into the front passenger seat, tail thumping against the carved walnut panel. Sebastian eyed the wolf pup’s sprawl of claws and teeth.
“Remind me why we’re letting a living cheese grater near Italian leather?” he sighed.
“Brumous and I love riding in the golf cart!” I beamed.
“But why does he have to sit next tome?”
“Because he enjoys terrorizing you,” Lucian deadpanned, settling in beside me. “Now drive, chauffeur.”
“Yes, sire!”
As the lake came into sight, glittering under the rising moon, I told them what I did to Mr. Storms with a hint of shame for making a scene, but mostly pride in myself for protecting my husband.
“—and as he was splashing out of the shallows, Simmy fired him!”
“You pushed him in fully clothed?” Sebastian’s jaw dropped. “Watch out, Dad. This delicate flower has thorns!”
“Of that, son, I was already aware.” Lucian glanced at me, and my laughter echoed across the water, startling a heron into flight.
#
Brumous splashed in the lake shallows, pouncing on invisible prey with enthusiasm that made me laugh. I would have waded in after him, but the water was too cold for me, so I sat on the covered dock and watched him play, grateful for the fairy lights Koa had installed for me last week.
“Be careful, Brummy,” Sebastian called from shore. “The bottom gets muddy about ten feet out.”
I glanced back at them where they stood like sentinels watching us, Lucian in his immaculate charcoal suit with a blood-red tie, Sebastian in pressed trousers and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his tattooed forearms. Both looked as if they belonged at a high-end business meeting rather than a lakeside picnic on a fine spring evening.
Brumous chose that moment to shake vigorously, sending water flying everywhere. I squealed as the freezing drops hit my skin, and he woofed happily, then charged back into the shallows only to circle back to splash me again. I ran off the dock to the soft grass under the willow trees and, for half an hour, Brumous and I played, chasing each other and jumping around. I felt like a child again, carefree in a way I hadn’t been in years.
But all too soon, Brumous’ energy flagged. His exuberant bounds became slower until finally, he trudged over to the Ro?us and pancaked dramatically at Sebastian’s feet.
