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“Lake Bittersweet,” he mumbled. “All your family is there. I thought you didn’t…”
“Well, I changed my mind. Carly just had a baby, so she knows all the good OB’s and the best doulas and all that. I can get my twenty-week ultrasound there, but the doctor just checked me out so I’m not too worried.” She leaned forward and took his hand. She was wearing a top in deep indigo that showed off the lower curve of her belly; he found it sexy, even in his drugged state. “I think it’s the best plan, and I did a lot of thinking about it. But if you really don’t want to go back to Lake Bittersweet, of course I won’t force you. I can help you get back to Boston, if you want. Or maybe there’s another family member who isn’t in the Philippines. But Granger, I think you should trust me.”
“You do?” Her image was wavering in and out now. “You want me to come? Moses too?”
“I want you to come. And yes, Moses too. We’re in this together, Granger.” She rubbed her cheek against his knuckles, and her skin felt so silky, like a baby’s, and what about the baby…his baby…
Of course he’d follow her back to Lake Bittersweet. There was a solid chance he’d follow her wherever she asked.
There was only one thing Granger insisted on before their departure for Lake Bittersweet. He didn’t want to arrive on a gurney, which would require at least two medical personnel. So they stayed in the hotel she’d booked until the doctors cleared him to walk upright.
At that point, he wondered if maybe the gurney would have been a better idea, because his stride was halting and every step made him worry about ripping stitches or rupturing organs.
But he quickly improved to the point where he could fake it. By the time they stepped off the plane on the private airstrip outside Lake Bittersweet, no one would have guessed that he was still taking Ibuprofen for the pain—a barely adequate replacement for the opiates they’d prescribed.
No way was he going to do that when he had a baby coming. He’d heard Kirk’s stories about how his father had gone down a path of addiction and paranoia after an injury. He wasn’t taking a chance on that happening.
“Oh no,” Bliss breathed as she followed him down the mobile ramp, a doped-up Moses snoozing in the pet carrier she held. “I told Carly not to make a fuss. I guess this is her version of no fuss?”
A small crowd awaited them on the tarmac. Front and center was Carly, holding tiny baby Teddy in a sling against her chest. Thomas hovered close to her. Neither of them looked exactly well-rested.
Kendra stood next to them, her hands clasped together under her chin. Maybe she’d softened toward him now that he was no longer upsetting Alvin in any way? Or maybe she was just there for Bliss.
Then there was Conor, of course, wearing a bemused expression as he took in the sight of another pregnant sister. His girlfriend Emmaline was laughing with Gina Moretti, Kirk’s new love. Granger approved of that relationship, not that anyone had asked him. He’d never seen Kirk this happy.
“I finally get to pay you back for coming out when I needed you,” Kirk said as he joined Granger at the foot of the ramp.
“I don’t need any help,” he growled as he stepped onto the tarmac. “I’m fine.”
“Of course you are. I’m surprised you didn’t operate on your own gallbladder. All you needed was a belt of whiskey and a strap to bite down on while you did all that microsurgery.”
Granger had to laugh at that image. “I don’t need any helpnow. I got this.”
“Well, I figured the least I could do was show you around the Mason place. It’s a great place to rehab an injury, I can tell you that. The security system takes some getting used to. Did you know the house will make coffee for you?”
“I can’t drink coffee yet.” Granger still hadn’t fully accepted that part.
“Really? Shit, man. Sorry.” Kirk squeezed his shoulder in sympathy. “Maybe some Earl Grey?”
Granger laughed, then held his side. “Don’t make me laugh.” But it felt good to laugh, actually. Good to see Kirk. “Did half the town have to meet us?” he asked in a lowered voice. “I feel like a freakshow.”
“First of all, it’s family and friends only, jackass. Second, it’s kind of big news that Bliss is having a baby, and really fucking huge news that you’re the father.”
Bliss’ voice floated from behind them. “Are you saying everyone’s talking about it?”
“They are not.” Kendra answered that question, since she was the first to reach them. “The only people who know are on this tarmac. Well, I guess the pilot knows too.” She waved at the cockpit. “Nothing we can do about that. You have no idea what extensive measures we’ve taken to make sure no one else knows. Not even my father, can you imagine that?” Her expression turned dramatically tragic. “It’s the first time I’ve kept a big secret from him since I lost my virginity to a drummer. He always had a problem with drummers.”
Granger wondered once again why she always treated him like the brother she never had. Did she treat most men like brothers? Was this a pattern? Then again, since it turned out he wasn’t her brother, it certainly wasn’t his problem.
“Thanks, Kendra,” said Bliss, giving her a hug. “I know it’s a lot to ask, keeping such a big secret. If it wasn’t a security issue…”
“Hey.” She held up a hand to stop Bliss’ flow of words. “You don’t have to explain anything. We’re all onboard with whatever you two need.”
“Absolutely.” Conor elbowed Kendra aside to give Bliss a careful hug. “By the way, I personally selected that pilot for his stellar reputation for discretion. I believe he used to fly for Taylor Swift, but he won’t even confirm that.”
“Thanks, Uncle Conor.” Bliss shot him a mischievous look from under her lashes. “Takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?”
“Don’t you know it, Auntie Bliss. Shit. It grows on you, though. I’ll probably be ready by the time Teddy actually says the words.”
