He stayed with me a moment more, then got up. When he got to the door he said, “Night,Dad,” and left, without witnessing the smile that took over my face.
Dad.
Just one word, but it was magical.
Mate.
Another equally amazing word. Haenvale may have its issues, yet there I’d become a dad and soon, if Sully was willing to forgive my stubbornness, then I’d have a mate, too.
When I finally fell asleep, it was to thoughts of Sully. He was beautiful. I had his image tattooed on my brain. As soon as I could comfortably leave my moms with the kids, I was tracking him down.
I was grateful for the minutes the proximity alarm bought us. It gave me time to pack away the remains of the kids’ lunch. My parents had gotten delayed, arriving mid-afternoon. They’d stopped and eaten after a flat tire delayed them a couple hours.
Half of me expected Sandy and Berry to hang back once my moms left theirvehicle. Nope, they went straight over to their new grandparents to show them things they’d been working on. It felt like they’d always known each other. An immediate bond formed.
Again, Rowan hung back, practically clinging to me, until Mama came over to praise him about the work he’d done on the place. She wanted to know all the details of the systems and materials he used on the house. Sure enough, that broke the ice with Rowan and I was left alone for the first time in hours.
It took Mom a while to have a minute for me. When she broke free of the twins, setting them on her mate and their brother, she gave me a fierce hug.
“So proud of you, Imri! Those kids, this house. You’ve done so well!”
“Not sure you’re going to think the same when I tell you something.” I grimaced.
“Why don’t we go inside and make some tea? This feels like a tea conversation.”
“Feels like a whisky conversation, actually.”
An hour later, after Mom had calmed down, she saw why I’d done what I’d done, even if she didn’t agree with it.
We were just making dinner when the proximity alarm went off. My stomach droppedand twisted. Nervous butterflies took flight in my gut.
Please,I thought to myself.Please let it be him and nothing else. I don’t want another thing to get in our way.
Hearing him call my name was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard! I was glad he’d won the game. I wanted to know how, but there was time for that. Later, though, much, much, later.
Mom at least was warned about Sully, she clearly hadn’t had time to fill Mama in on it because she and the twins gasped in shock. Even Rowan made a noise of surprise. I guess my eldest hadn’t expected Sully to lay it all on the line like that.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. The way the early evening light hit off his sandy brown hair, picking out the strands of gold, was mesmerizing.
He was all mine if I could just take that chance. So when he asked if I wanted to take that chance, there was only one answer.
“With you? Of course, Sully. I’m yours if you want me.” I winked. “You won the game after all,” I couldn’t help adding in a teasing tone.
Sully laughed, a sound so full of joy everyonesmiled.
“Um, hi, Imri, everyone, I’m Trisha, Sully’s BFF. If he’s okay here, I’ll just…”
“No need, Trisha,” Mom called, “come in, we’re making dinner. There’s plenty for everyone.”
“Oh! That’s so kind, but we’ve already eaten,” Trisha protested, backing away while throwing looks at her friend.
“Come inside and let these two talk,” Mom practically ordered.
Trisha, being the smart woman she was, took the hint and followed my moms and kids into the house, leaving me alone with Sully.
“Do you mean it?” His eyes were full of hope.
“I do. There’s some stuff I’ve got to tell you. Why don’t you come up here, take a seat, and I’ll get us a drink. D’you want a beer or anything?”
