“Good, then you’re free to tell him everything,” Jackson said. “I recommend you do it before Oracle arrives, otherwise he might view it as keeping a secret. Colton learned that lesson the hard way.”
“I know. I will, promise.”
“Good,” Jackson said.
“I’m assuming Oracle is coming to tell me what my gift will be…do you know what it is?” Carson asked.
“No, I don’t,” replied Jackson. “She can’t reveal it to anyone before she tells you and your mate. And that’s my other reason for calling. Will you permit Hunter to sit in with the three of you?”
“I don’t have a problem with it but I should ask Remy first before I give you an answer.”
“Of course,” Jackson said. “I’ll send Hunt a message and once you’ve run it past Remy, you can let him know.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that.”
“Hey, please give my congratulations to Remy too. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I will. Anything else?”
“Nope, that’s it.”
“Okay…gotta run. Say hello to everyone and give my nephews and niece a big hug from me. Bye.” Hanging up with his brother’s chuckles ringing in his ear, Carson dashed downstairs, skidding to a stop when Galen jumped out at him from behind a chair, brandishing a sword.
“Stick up your hands,” Galen shouted.
Trying hard not to smile, Carson did as ordered. “Don’t hurt me, please!”
“Did you got him?” Eamon yelled as he joined them.
“Yup. I’m gonna make him walk the plank,” Galen said.
“Nooo, you can’t do that to Carsso! Remee will be mad!”
“Captain Galen,” Carson began. “Please don’t make me do that!”
“Hey, I’m captain too,” shouted Eamon. “And I say you don’t hafta!”
“You can’t be captain cuz I’m captain!” yelled Galen.
“Hey,” Carson interjected, knowing a full-blown argument was imminent, “who’s going to be the commander?”
“What’s a commander?” asked Galen.
“Well, the captain depends on him to carry out his orders,” Carson explained. “A commander is responsible for making all the other pirates do what the captain wants.”
“That’s me,” Eamon said. “Gally’s always telling me what to do.”
“Right, so you’re Commander Eamon,” Carson said.
Nodding, Eamon grinned before taking off at full speed, heading for the kitchen, yelling. “Remee, I’m a commander. A commander!”
Carson grinned as Eamon’s shouting was finally muffled after the kitchen door closed behind him. Looking down at Galen, he said, “Well, Captain Galen, why do you want me to walk the plank?”
Lowering his sword, Galen studied Carson for a minute before saying, “Are you going to hurt Remee?”
Remembering what his mate told him about Galen’s uneasiness, Carson knelt down and looked into the young captain’s eyes before holding up his hand. “I swear, I will never do anything to hurt Remy.”
Galen stared at Carson, fear and anguish reflected in his face. He wanted to trust him but after what happened to his parents, he found it hard to believe any grown up except his brother and Mrs. B. “What are you?”
