Page 14 of Found in Wild Sage

“True. We’ll be covering a lot of new territory if we do this.” I reach out and hold my palm up.

With no hesitation, she slides her hand in mine. My fingers fold over hers and I offer a soft smile I hope will reassure her, shoving away any synapses having a field day with the contact.

“We can weather new things together. This is unconventional, and I’ll say it again, it’s all up to you. But I think we can do it. I think we’ll be an effective team. And I’ll be honored to call you my wife, whatever the details look like.”

She holds my gaze and takes a long inhale. “I agree.”

Before we can say any more, a plate slides into the space next to our hands and May’s voice breaks the moment.

“Oh, yes! Are you guys finally together?” Her grin is as wide as her face and her eyes glitter like she’s amped on an instant burst of adrenaline.

I look back at Evie, and she gives me a tiny dip of her chin.

So I run with it.

“We are. Thanks for asking.”

May makes a face like I’m a big weirdo, as she’d say, but then she pivots over to Evie and pulls her into a hug.

Unfortunately, this means Evie drops my hand.

It’s a foolish impulse in me that says I should snatch her hand back the minute she and May pull apart, both smiling.

But when I see the strain around Evie’s mouth and eyes, I reprimand myself. While I’ve been relishing her touch and feeling some level of triumph about telling May we’re together, she’s uncertain.

I am instantly and violently ashamed of my self-focus.

“Oh my gosh, I love this! Are you coming to Sisi’s party next week?”

May asks Evie like she has any idea, and Evie’s panicked look reaches me at the same moment.

“Sisi is Saoirse, Eirinn and Davis’s oldest.” I can see it register in Evie’s eyes. The kids have come in only once since I’ve been here, and Evie likely hasn’t heard the nickname. “Of course we’ll be there. I didn’t want to overwhelm her with a family dinner, but I guess Ma and Da will know any minute.”

May grins like she’s been caught. I wouldn’t be shocked to learn she’s somehow telepathically texted our parents to notify them their most solitary son has found someone.

Though in truth, I’m not sure I win for Most Solitary Ryan—not since I moved home, and not since Mac has stayed away so long.

Another customer wanders in searching for refreshment and May jogs around to help them, but only after winking at both of us.

“So I guess we’re telling people,” Evie says so quietly I barely hear her.

“Might as well. We want to have a solid history so there’s no question about the nature of our marriage. We’ve got enough time working together that it should seem plausible, but even a rushed dating to engagement to marriage schedule is better than simply turning up married a few weeks from now.”

Or so I’m hoping.

Evie swallows hard.

“Unless you⁠—”

“I’m not changing my mind. But I am intimidated by a Ryan family dinner.”

I lean back in my chair, slightly more comfortable with our plan now that she is talking and overtly on board. No part of me wants to force her into this, even though I can acknowledge the situation itself is a kind of coercion. Without the need to strengthen her case for custody, we wouldn’t be sitting here.

Maybe if I were… I mentally shake off the thought. I don’t know what else I’d need to be to actually be right for Evie, but for this purpose, I can fit the bill. I can help.

“You know everyone already. I’ll be there, and I’ll make sure Sam and Grant will be, too. The minute you want to leave, we’ll go.”

Her shoulders relax. “Okay. Sounds reasonable.”