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The baby is crying and we’re already half an hour late for a picnic at Scrim Hall, the home of our new friends here in Havendoor. Dashing across our house, I nearly trip over a stuffed dinosaur.
My phone rings in the kitchen.
“I’m coming, Aithan.”
He stops crying.
Stalling in the hallway in case he’s gone back to sleep, I listen.
Cade’s strong voice coos from the nursery. “That was a lot of fussing when you know your mommy will be here soon enough.”
The phone goes silent and since I’ve missed whoever it was, I continue to the bedroom.
Cade has Aithan cuddled against his chest. The baby is big for his three months, but he looks tiny in the arms of his father. A healthy, happy baby is all I could ask for and more. “Does he need a change?”
The phone ringing starts again.
Smiling warmly, Cade bounces Aithan and kisses his head. “I’ve got him. Go get the phone.”
Our house isn’t as big as the place in the Catskills, and it needs work. We bought it from people who had been on the property for generations. It’s a good-sized piece of land and it’s adjacent to the Pettigrew land, so when Cade needs to run, he’s safe. Who would have believed there is an entire family of monsters living in a small town a couple of hours from Syracuse? I never dreamed there were vampires, wolf and dragon shifters, and more in existence. Now they feel like family.
I grab the phone and answer because it’s my mom. We’re late, but I don’t like to put her off. She’s been surprisingly supportive of my choices since the fiasco with Melony and Derek. “Hi, Mom.”
“You didn’t answer the first time. I was worried,” she says quickly not bothering with hello.
“Aithan was crying.” I stare down the hallway toward where Cade continues to speak to our son in low tones.
“Is he sick?” Mom must have forgotten that babies cry.
“No. He woke up from his nap. Cade’s taking care of him. We’re going to a barbecue at our friend’s house. They have a big family and a lot of the local people will be there too.” I grab the diaper bag and start filling it with the bottles I prepared earlier and other things I’ll need while we’re out. It’s amazing to me how much stuff one small person needs to get through a few hours outside the house.
“That sounds nice.” She drags out the last word as if she wants to say more.
“How are you and Dad?”
“We’re fine. You know… um…” Her fingernails are tapping on something, probably the kitchen counter.
“What is it?” I add a couple of pacifiers to the front pocket.
“Today is your sister’s wedding anniversary. You might call her and try to make things right between you two.”
It’s almost laughable that my mother thinks Melony and I can mend our relationship. However, it’s obvious from her tone that she’s serious. “You know, Mom, I’m not that concerned about it. Melony is married to a man in prison for trying to kidnap my husband. I don’t wish her ill, but I don’t need that kind of selfish greed in my life or my baby’s life. I know you want to make everything okay again, but really, it never was that great.”
Mom sighs. “You might never have met Cade if not for Melony.”
“True, but it doesn’t change my mind.”
“I understand. Have a good time with your friends today.” She sighs again.
“Why don’t you and Dad come out here for a week and spend some time with your grandson? He’s growing so fast you might not recognize him if you wait much longer.” I’m filled with joy as Cade carries Aithan into the great room, dressed in the cutest jeans and a lumberjack-plaid shirt. In Cade’s other hand is the stack of extra clothes I left on the changing table.
I have no idea how I got so lucky.
“We would love that,” Mom says. “How about at the end of the month? We can stay in town at that little inn. We don’t want to inconvenience you.” Mom’s nail-tapping gets louder and faster.
It’s hard to not laugh since Cade can hear her and he’s raised one eyebrow in a comical look of disbelief. I wave him off and put the extra clothes in the bag. “That’s not necessary. We finished the renovations on the guest bedroom and bathroom last week. You’ll be very comfortable here.”
“If you’re sure—I’m putting it in my calendar for the twenty-seventh.”
