Page 17 of My Husband Problem

“You know us being married is dumb. Just let the annulment happen, Declan.”

I feel that tightening in my gut again. “I’m not going to do that.”

“Why not?” She blows out a frustrated breath. “Why are you being so stubborn about this? Why are you herenow, after all this time, when there are only a few more days until it’s over?”

So many reasons. The primary reason is that I want to be married to her. I had no idea my grandfather might change his mind, and I could end up losing her.

But I tell her the second most important reason. “I want my family back.”

She starts to reply but then stops. She frowns. Then says, “What does that mean?”

“When I left home, it was to create a support system for the goals and dreams of six other people. My plan was to build the money, network, and contacts so that you, your siblings, and mine could literally dowhateveryou wanted. So that you could all leave Cara. So you could break away from my grandfather’s insistence that everyone had to stay on that island for the rest of their lives and never connect with the rest of the world.”

Astrid swallows hard again. “I know that, Declan. We all know what you’ve done for us. And I’m grateful. I really am. But I don’t understand what that has to do with this. With us being married.” She takes a deep breath, her gaze focused on my chin. “You disagreed with your grandfather on seemingly everything. His insistence that we all stay in Cara and live small, quiet, content lives. The way he refused to interact with the bigger world. The way he felt that Cara was safer and happier if it wasunder the radar. Why would you agree with him on this insane marriage plan of all things?”

I want to cup her cheek so badly. I want to tell her how incredible I think she is. How proud I am of her.

I’ve knownofAstrid forever. She’s always been Linnea’s little sister and Alfred’s youngest granddaughter. Before I left home, there were many occasions when she and her family were with mine. But I didn’t reallynoticeher. And I certainly didn’t fall in love with her.

Not until that fateful day when she took the fall at the Olympic trials that changed her life. I was concerned, of course. I made sure she had the best medical care and rehab. I personally hired Miles to be her therapist. And then her bodyguard as she made her rehab journey public and became an influencer.

But then my concern turned into a much bigger emotion as I watched her take a terrible situation and turn it into a triumph. I watched her grow stronger physically and emotionally, then inspire others.

And somewhere along the way, concern and pride turned into something much deeper.

She’s gorgeous, and I’m more physically attracted to her than I’ve ever been to anyone, but it’s her spirit and her heart that made me fall in love with her, even from a distance.

I curl my hand into a fist to keep from touching her and say, “I’ve met all of the goals I had when I left home. My siblings, and all of yours, are out there making the world a better place. They’ll never want for anything, and they can do all of the amazing things they’re passionate about with every resource they need.

“Our country now has friends, allies, and partners around the world. Now that Torin is king, he’s meeting with them, establishing relationships in the business, tech, manufacturing, and political spheres.”

I take a deep breath. “But that all came at a price. I had to stay away from home and my family for years. I had to deal with my grandfather feeling I was disloyal and ungrateful to him and our country. I didn’t go home because I didn’t want to argue with him, I didn’t want to upset my grandmother and mother, and frankly, because I knew how hard it would be to leave every time.”

Astrid is watching me with a strange expression. She looks confused. “You missed home?”

“Of course. Staying away was incredibly hard. But it was for a very good cause.” I spread my arms. “And now, it’s done. I’ve accomplished everything I needed to. I don’t need to stay away now. I can rebuild those relationships with my family. I hope. And I can spend time with my mother and with my grandparents that isn’t overshadowed by politics and business.” I pause, then say, “And I can make a family of my own.”

She flinches slightly at that, and I feel the knot in my stomach turn into a lead ball.

Part of the marriage arrangement that my grandfather proposed included us having a baby. A child who is part of both the O’Grady and the Olsen bloodlines. Astrid knew that when she said yes.

“You want…” She stops, clears her throat, then asks, “You want to be a dad?”

“I do. I’ve missed out on so much with my family. The idea of having kids who are friends with my siblings’ kids, seeing my mother as a grandmother, seeing my kids making memories in the same places I did growing up…” I pause, then nod. “Yes, I want all of that.”

I’d gotten a taste at Christmastime right after we were married. We’d gone to Cara to be with everyone, and I’d spent a holiday with my mother, siblings, and grandparents for the first time in nearly two decades.

We’d gathered in the great room around the fireplace with the tree, just like we had when I was growing up. Everyone had been there. I got to meet my siblings’ spouses and see how in love they are. There had been talking and laughing. Stories. Jokes. Food I hadn’t had in years.

The room was full of family, friends, and love.

I was nearly overwhelmed.

And I wanted more of it.

Astrid is shaking her head. “But you never go back.”

“I don’t go because we don’t go together, and I can’t explain that to them.”