“I did say that, yes,” Muddy agreed with a nod.
“When did you say that?” Salem asked her grandmother.
“At the shooting range. Not even an hour ago,” I explained. “Oh my God. I’m about to panic.”
“This is fucking amazing!” Salem yelled.
I glared at her. “How do you figure?”
“Uh, the three of us,hello? Having babies together,” Salem said. “This is kind of like kismet.”
“Fate,” Hadley agreed with a happy smile. “Good thing you’re already engaged.”
“Oh, is this like a shotgun engagement?” Salem queried. “Congrats, by the way. You crazy kids.”
Hadley sniggered. “Poet and Brooks are on the Muddy and Grandpa path.”
Salem nibbled her lip. “Does Brooks suspect you’re pregnant? Do you think that’s why he?—”
“No. He has no idea. He proposed because he loves me. I said yes because I love him.”
“Okay, I was just asking,” Salem said. “You do you.”
“Are you worried about what he’s going to say?” Hadley asked.
I snorted. “Brooks? No. He wants a family. Like yesterday. Oh no . . . I have to tell my grandfather. I was just getting up the nerve to tell him I moved to Huckleberry Hill and that I’m engaged. Now he’s going to find out he’s about to be a great-grandfather?” I rubbed my temple. “Guess Brooks is getting his wish.”
“What wish?” Hadley asked.
“A wedding. Sooner rather than later,” I stated.
“Yay.” Hadley rapidly clapped her hands like a cartoon character.
I scowled at her.
“What?” she demanded.
“I’m pretty sure Grampy is going to kill Brooks with his bare hands.”
“He’s a professor,” Muddy said. “Doesn’t he wear tweed?”
“Navy man,” I explained. “Vietnam.”
“Oh,” Muddy said with a sigh.
“He’s going to think I’ve gone mental,” I said.
“Or he’s going to think you fell in love,” Hadley said.
“Same thing,” Salem muttered.
“Mental,” I repeated.
Even though the pocket doors of the den were closed, I heard the unmistakable clomp of heavy boots on the wooden floor.
“Not a word. To anyone. I mean it,” I stated.
Salem mimed zipping her lips shut.
