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“Thankfully, Ariana is not as intimidating as your brother, or I’d be quaking under the bed,” she returned, perching in a nearby armchair.
“Now that Dr. Welish has proclaimed me well, you’ll see another Trenton,” he vowed. “Watch.”
On cue, the door swung open and Ariana broke out of Trenton’s embrace to dash in, Alexander in her arms. “Dustin.” She reached the bed, her turquoise eyes clouded with worry. “Trenton just told me what happened. Are you all right?”
“I’m a lot better than I look,” he teased.
“That’s not much consolation,” Trenton declared cheerfully. “You look like hell.” He grinned, amazing Nicole with his lighthearted banter. “Then again, knowing you, this is a ploy to entice women to your bed, allegedly to minister to your wounds.”
That Nicole didn’t find at all amusing.
Ariana appeared equally unamused—but for different reasons. “Why did you go out alone?” she grilled Dustin. “You knew those horrible men would be coming to Tyreham.”
“I had to take that chance,” he replied frankly. “For many reasons.” With that, he gestured toward Nicole. “I had to visit my soon-to-be Derby winner.”
Following Dustin’s motion, Ariana spotted Nicole and broke into a brilliant smile. “Forgive my rudeness—” A pause. “Mr. Stoddard. I didn’t see you. Thank you for coming to Dustin’s rescue. We’re very grateful.”
“No gratitude is necessary,” Nicole murmured, rising as Ariana approached her.
Five steps later, Alexander, realizing he was near enough, reached out, snatching the rim of Nicole’s cap and tugging.
The cap didn’t budge.
“Mama,” he exclaimed.
“No, Alexander,” Ariana scolded gently, prying his fingers loose. “You cannot do that.”
“I was wondering what took him so long,” Dustin commented from the bed. “Appendages of any kind offend him, be it mustaches or hats.”
“Mama,” Alexander repeated. Ignoring the adult conversation, he yanked his hand free of his mother’s, leaning forward to pull, once again, on the unyielding brim. He gave a frustrated squeal when it refused to give.
“I’ll relieve you for a while, misty angel,” Trenton said with a hearty chuckle that made Nicole wonder why she’d ever found him intimidating. “Sorry, Stoddard,” he added, lifting his son into his arms. “My son is as stubborn as a mule.”
“I wonder who he could take after,” Ariana mused wryly.
“Mama.” Alexander continued to stare at Nicole’s cap.
“Mama is exhausted,” Trenton informed him. “She’ll hold you again later.”
Vehemently, the child shook his head. “Mama,” he insisted, pointing at Nicole.
“He’s not referring to me, Trenton,” Ariana noted, her lips curving. “He’s referring to Mr. Stoddard.”
“Wonderful.” Trenton rolled his eyes. “Not only does he call every female on earth ‘Mama,’ he’s now extended the title to men as well.”
“I don’t think so.” Ariana gazed calmly at Nicole, and, with a start, Nicole realized Dustin’s sister-in-law knew the truth. She knew, and she was asking permission to share that knowledge.
With an admiring nod, Nicole granted it.
E
yes sparkling, Ariana crossed over to shut the door and lean back against it. “Dustin.” She folded her arms across her breasts, inclining her head in Nicole’s direction. “You have quite a bit to share with us … wouldn’t you say?”
Dustin blinked, easing up on his elbows and glancing from Ariana to Nicole. “You know.”
“I know. From the onset, in fact. But evidently no one else does. Except, of course, my brilliant son.”
“What is it you all know that I don’t?” Trenton demanded, looking from one of them to the other.
