He moved back to let Thatch stomp inside, and then Allegra was in front of him, and Shotgun felt a kick to his stomach. This was his son. Wade stared at Shotgun with the same eyes and scrunched up his nose.
“I’m Shotgun,” he murmured.
“Bang! Bang!” Wade exclaimed, perking up, making a gun with his fingers.
“He’s obsessed with westerns,” Thatch offered sourly.
Shotgun opened his mouth to ask if Allegra remembered their movie marathons and then closed it. She wouldn’t.
“We used to sit down after dinner on a Sunday afternoon and watch hours of them. Wade gets his love of them from you,” he explained.
Allegra’s eyes showed she knew what he’d been about to say, but she offered a smile. “That’s nice to know. Can we come in?”
“Of course, it’s your home too,” Rain said, and then bit his lip.
“The yacht is Allegra’s home.” Thatch scowled.
“Okay, time for Uncle Thatch to leave. Say bye, kids,” Allegra said.
Thatch looked surprised, and Shotgun barely held a laugh back. That clearly hadn’t been Thatch’s plan.
“I warned you: play nice or get lost. You aren’t playing nicely, so bye-bye.” Allegra waved Wade’s hand at Thatch.
Shotgun turned away and glanced at Rain, who was also amused.
“I’ll be on my best behaviour,” Thatch ground out.
“No, you won’t. You’re giving off pissed-off vibes that even the twins are picking up on. I heard your concerns; you’ve been very clear. And I know I’m unaware of a great many things, but this is my life, and I’m capable of making decisions. If they’re the wrong ones, then that’s on me,” Allegra stated.
“Preferred the old you; you were much more amenable,” Thatch hissed.
“No, she wasn’t!” Shotgun exclaimed and laughed. “Allegra was a damn ball-buster.”
Thatch’s lips twitched before he remembered he was pissed at Shotgun. Shotgun, in return, smirked.
“I mean it, I’ll make the effort,” Thatch promised.
“Fine. Last warning,” Allegra warned.
“Come on, we’ll go outside,” Rain said. “It’s a beautiful day, and the kids would probably enjoy playing in the yard.”
Rain put Darcy down, and she raced off to explore her surroundings.
“If you possess anything fragile, move it up high, lock any rooms you don’t want them in,” Thatch began, and Rain nodded.
“I’ve got socket covers, corner cushions for sharp edges. Baby gates on the stairs, door catches to stop them slamming on tiny fingers—”
“Rain toddler-proofed the house.” Shotgun rolled his eyes.
“Okay then,” Allegra said and put Wade back on his feet. He raced off after Darcy, and we stared at each other.
“And again, awkward!” Rain stated
Allegra laughed. “Isn’t it just?”
“Pool!” Darcy screeched, and Rain paled as we heard a splash. Without a second thought, he took to his heels with Shotgun right behind him.
“Wait!” Allegra called as they raced into the backyard as Wade dive-bombed the swimming pool at the deep end.
