Zach and Emma were taking care of the kids.
Quentin had to stand guard over the family. Beaty wouldn’t dream of leaving the children.
And Hayley and Fraoch said they were vaguely busy.
That’s where my eyes narrowed again. “Are you up to something?”
Hayley said, “I can’t believe you would ask me that, no, I’m just busy doing stuff, can’t come, and why are you asking us to come on your romantic getaway with your husband, you don’t like him anymore?”
“God, everyone is being insufferable.”
It was after dinner, but still pretty light out. Fraoch and Lochinvar had brought us to the beach. We were surrounded by chests, some packed with my clothes, one packed with presents, a cooler packed with treats, and some empty chests and suitcases lashed together.
I had said goodbye to the kids and it had been… suspicious. Jack had no idea what was going on, he would sleep and wake up in the morning and I would be back later. He would likely not notice, but if he did Emma and Beaty could comfort him.
But Archie wasn’t nervous about our leaving at all.
Isla kept giggling.
She said, “See you soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Yes, yes, tomorrow. That’s what you mean you little trickster.”
She giggled again.
So here we were, on the beach, going over the last list. I asked, looking down the beach at the deck of our house, “How long are we going to be there?”
He said, “As long as we want, we are the king and queen of time.”
I said, “True, but let’s not be gone for too long, our babies will miss us. Like a week?”
“Whatever m’lady wishes, and none will be the wiser.”
“Because officially we’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Aye. I am looking forward to a night in the old drafty castle, I missed it.”
Quentin checked his watch. “Ya leavin’, Boss?”
Magnus chuckled. “Ye telling me tis time tae go?”
“Yes sir, I gotta get back, Beaty is scrolling through instagram looking for another chicken to keep Saddle company?—”
“Och nae, we already hae a flock!”
“Them’s the wrong kinds, ‘Saddle needs a friend, not just an acquaintance,’ so, you know, Boss, gotta get back and be the voice of reason.”
Magnus said, “Aye, we must go then.”
I said, “Remember when I used to climb in your lap and hold on?”
“Aye, ye haena done that in a long time.” He wrapped the strap around his arm, lashing all the chests to us. “Dost ye need me tae sit down so ye can ride m’lap?”
“For old times sake? No, this is fine, but Iamgoing to hold on.” I pressed against his chest and his arms went around. “You have the horses and the chests?”
