“Okay,” he blurted, not wanting to cause unnecessary suspicion. “It’s from Trenton. While you guys were shopping last week, he asked me and the boys for Andie’s hand in marriage.”
Ava gasped. “Oh my gosh,” she exclaimed in a whisper. “That’s freaking amazing.”
He looked at her and grinned. “Yeah, it is.” He chuckled next, unable to stop himself.
“What’s so funny?” Ava asked with a nudge to his arm.
“You saidfreaking.The guys are always teasing me for saying it. Guess I’m rubbing off on you.”
She laughed. “Guess you are.” She tugged on his hand and, once he stopped walking altogether, pressed herself onto her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the lips. “I like that you’re rubbing off on me.”
He came in for a longer kiss, enjoying the silky heat of her mouth while he could. Once they were at the twins’ cabin, they’d have to cool things down for the night. But soon—hopefully soon—they’d be free to show their affection no matter who was present.
The light tap of a horn drew their attention to the nearby cart backing out of the lot. Don and Mable waved from within while two of their young grandkids, buckled in between them, did the same.
“Have fun tonight,” Mable called.
“We will,” Richard said with a wave. “Thanks for the food!”
“What a cute couple,” Ava said. “I want to be them one day.”
Richard mused on the way the two were always together. Kids and grandkids visited regularly and often stayed as guests at the inn.
“Me too,” he said as they reached the cabin steps.
Yet just as he reached for the door, a deep feeling of dread bolted through him. He worked to shake it off as Ava stepped inside. This place was even more crammed than theirs had been a moment ago. Probably because of the extra table they’d set up to hold all of the food.
But then he saw another reason it was so crowded in here. Maverick was no longer in the bed in his room. He was laying on a bed still, but this one had wheels, and someone had rolled him right into the family room and pushed back the couch. He looked so…pitiful. He was still flat on his back, facing the ceiling, but a pointed party hat sat atop his head.
Richard was fixed on the odd sight of it when Maverick tipped his head the slightest bit in his direction. Whoa, Richard’s hand was on Ava’s lower back. He yanked it back like her skin was on fire and stepped away from her.
He forced his attention to the food tables as lava pushed its way through his veins.
Don’t look at him, Richard. Don’t look—
He looked. One quick glance over his shoulder at the hospital bed in the room.Not good.
He spun back and set his unseeing gaze on a colorful blob of food. Cake, maybe? Or possibly a covered basket of rolls. Who knew? All Richard could see was the seething glare he’d caught on Maverick’s face. Did he somehow know what was up?
More lava came. Only this time it wasn’t a slow seep. It was spewing from the volcano of his chest. Perhaps Ava was right. This might not be too pretty after all.
