“It is. I think Keren did a study on it once to work it out. I just thought that might be part of the fifteen percent.” Rayah sat down, looking at her little daughter who was the spitting image of her Uncle Jake, much to his delight.
Lainey stayed on her feet, pulling cold meats from the fridge to put a sandwich together for her lunch. And Jake’s.
“We’ve talked about it.” They had. A lot recently. They slept at either hers or his; nights apart were rare, if at all. Both farmhouses were big enough for large families – as they were designed – and freeing one of them up as a holiday let would be another income stream, or a place for her family to stay when they came to visit, which was happening all the more frequently. This weekend she was moving into Jake’s while her cousin Jackson, his wife Vanessa – who was also Gran’s actual granddaughter – and Maxwell and his family visited.
“So what’s stopping you? If he pisses you off, I’ll help you hide his body.” Rayah reached over and grabbed a piece of ham hock.
“We’ve only been together three months.”
“People move in together after a lot less. People have babies after just one night. Just ask Keren and Scott.”
“She said that was more than just one night.”
“Depends who you ask. Scott says it was the first time. I’m more inclined to think it was at least the twentieth. You’re not pregnant, are you?”
There was a choke from Jake as he walked through the door.
Lainey just burst out laughing at the look of sheer shock across his face.
“Shall I walk back out again?” Jake stayed frozen on the spot.
She managed to control herself. “No, you can stay. And no, you’ve got plenty more time to brush up on your nappy changing skills.” They had had a conversation about kids. One night after some very vigorous sex, the after-talk had led onto what would happen if her birth control didn’t work. The decision had been it wouldn’t be a problem for either of them, they both wanted babies, just not quite yet.
“Nothing wrong with my nappy changing skills. Had enough practice recently.” He glared at his sister.
There had been a lot of baby changing duties recently. Rayah, Scott and Zack had no issue with Uncle Jake being left in charge of their offspring, and there had recently been an argument between Rayah and Zack as to which child Jake would look after one Friday night when both couples had wanted to go out for a meal.
Jake and Lainey had ended up looking after both.
“But I’ll hold fire on building a nursery for now.” He grinned at Lainey. ‘We’ll just keep practicing. Want me to finish that?” He pointed to the sandwiches in progress.
“Sure. I’ll do coffee.” She moved over to the French Press that was nowhere near as good as Jake’s machine. Maybe they should move in together.
“I was just wondering when you’re moving in with each other?” Rayah untangled her daughter from the sling she’d carried her in, and started to shift her top, getting ready to breastfeed.
Jake didn’t flinch, something that amused Lainey no end. When she’d asked him about it – Rayah had no issue breastfeeding anywhere, and if someone didn’t like it, it was very much their problem – he’d simply mentioned something about animals feeding their young and grinned. His grin had been shy though, and when she’d delved further on it later, when they’d been alone, he’d said, very quietly, that he couldn’t help but think how she’d look nursing their child one day.
“When we’re ready,” was Jake’s answer. “I think the women of Severton are still grieving that I’m no longer single. They’re not ready to accept I’m living with the woman who tamed me.”
Lainey almost doubled over with laughter. There had been gossip about her and Jake. She’d overheard some of it while she’d been sat on the toilet in Scott’s bar, and a group of women had been at the mirrors and sinks. None of it had been horrendous, in fact, there had even been a couple of compliments about her hair and how toned she was. One woman had lamented on how she’d have taken more of an interest in horse riding if it would’ve got her a night with Jake Maynard.
At that point, Lainey had come out of the stall, trying not to laugh as the mouths of the three women gaped open.
“Tell me, something that pretty has to have a penis that doesn’t disappoint?” The woman who had been the loudest pointed at her and said, looking totally worried.
“His penis does not let me down.” Lainey couldn’t keep a straight face as she’d said the words, and then they’d all cracked up.
Jake had been told the story that night. He’d then proved that he didn’t disappoint at all.
“Give over, Jakey. You just haven’t had the balls to ask her.” Rayah shook her head. “Ask her now.”
Jake just laughed.
That evening,when everything was done and every single one of the alpacas were away where they should be, Lainey lay on the sofa at Jake’s, her head on his chest, something mindless on the TV.
“Do you want to move in together?” She popped a chocolate in her mouth.
“Whenever you’re ready.” He mussed her hair. “Just move your stuff over and decide what furniture you want where. We can do it in a day.”
