Page 98 of Her Fearless Warrior

But then she had a translation gig that was too lucrative to pass up. By the time she got back, Lark, Jada, and Amy had figured out the catering and the decorations, and it was all awesome. Almost everybody who wasn’t local was staying at the same hotel. She suggested that even the local folk park their cars at the hotel, and she would arrange a bus to drive them to the party so Linc wouldn’t be tipped off with all the cars near Gideon’s house.

She had told Linc that she wouldn’t be home until two days after his birthday, but that she had made reservations at a new restaurant in town where they could celebrate. He said that would be great. Since she actually got home a day earlier, she checked into the same hotel as everybody else, then she went shopping for a knockout dress with her mom. She intended this birthday to be memorable.

* * *

Linc couldn’t wait for Leila to come home. He had something really special for her. Two days from now was the second anniversary of when they first met in Turkey and he wanted to surprise her. And he was pretty sure he had it nailed.

She was supposed to be home tomorrow and that was when they were going to celebrate his birthday and then the day after, his surprise. He wanted to show Jase and Gideon today and let them poke any holes in it. See if he should change how to tell her. Having Gideon invite them over to watch the game and do some barbeque was perfect. He took the legal-size manilla envelope with him as he started up the pathway to Gideon’s front door.

Maybe a little tug-o-war with Gideon’s horse of a dog named Lucy would be fun, too. He’d never talked about animals with Leila, but he’d like to get a dog. Yeah, he couldn’t wait for forty-eight hours from now.

He knocked on Gideon’s door.

“Come in,” Gideon yelled.

He walked into the hallway and stopped short as a crowd of people yelled out, Happy Birthday.

Then up walked Leila in a pair of red fuck-me shoes and a red dress that molded to her body. He thought his head might explode.

Behind Leila were his mom and dad and Leila’s mom and dad. Then behind them were all of his brothers and sisters.

What the hell?

“I can’t believe this,” he whispered as he hugged Leila. “How is this even possible?”

“The big three-oh is momentous. Many people wanted to be here to celebrate.”

“Hiya, Uncle Lincoln. I drewed up pictures for you.” His niece Georgia smiled up at him.

“This is beautiful. What is it?”

“A fairy.”

He looked at the three purple circles. “Ahhh.”

He picked her up and nuzzled the baby fat of her neck. Holding her high in his arms, he turned to his mom and dad.

“Thank you so much for making the trip.” His dad plucked his namesake out of Linc’s arms so he could give his mother a proper hug.

“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world. I love your girl is making a big deal of this. I think the world of her.”

“So do I, Mom.”

“Well, you better do something about it before you’re too old and decrepit.” She kissed him on the cheek and passed him over to his dad.

“You’re looking pretty happy, Son.”

“I am.”

“Couldn’t ask for more.”

“When things die down a bit, can I pull you and a couple of my friends aside? I want to get your take on something.”

“You’ve got it.” That was his dad. He always had his six.

He made sure that he took time to talk to Miray and Grant. He really liked them, so it wasn’t a hardship. But it was always good to keep the wheels greased with your woman’s family. Before he went to talk to his brothers and sisters, he went into Gideon’s office and put the manilla envelope on the top shelf of his bookcase.

It was a beautiful day, so most of the party was outside. There was a mountain of food and a volleyball net was set up and so was a croquet set. It wasn’t until dusk that the toasts to him started. He thanked God that most of them poked fun and were humorous.