Page 26 of My Pleasure

“We think so.”

“Thank you for giving me some time to absorb all this.”

He squeezed her hand. “As much as I love having you by my side and knowing the kids are safe. I almost wish you had stayed away until everything is settled. I would keep this darkness from you if I could.”

“I’m glad we’re together. That way you don’t have to face it alone.”

When she looked up at him, he could see the sweetness in her eyes. He hadn’t been lying when he said he wished she was far from this, even if it took her from him. He didn’t want any shadows to eclipse the light in her eyes. “Are you really okay with Kendrick running tests on you?”

She smiled wide. “That man had the Witches’ Council running circles when he lived in Storm Keep. He has been studying magic almost longer than I’ve been alive.”

Hunter kept his smile frozen in place. He’d let Kendrick decide if he wanted Kiera to know about his true identity. He chuckled nervously. “I’ve heard he knows a lot about magic.”

She nodded and kept going. “He not only can do high-level magic, but he actually studies it too. I wonder if that’s something you have to have magic to do.”

“Is that something you’d want to try?”

“I’d love to figure out how certain magics work together.”

“I bet he’d be interested in hearing you admit as much.”

“Maybe.”

When they got to his parents’ place, he opened the door and walked in. He was about to call out like he normally did, but remembered Nicol had been sleepy when they left. He walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see his Ma spooning out soup into separate bowls. “Where are the kids?”

His mother jumped. “Hunter! You scared the living daylights out of me. Why didn’t you call out like you normally do?”

He felt himself blushing. “Nicol was sleepy when we left.”

His Ma paused, then smiled at him. “You’re such a good boy. The kids are actually with your father out in the garden. He said he needed their help bringing stuff in.”

Hunter eyed the bowls. “Are those for Caiden?”

She nodded. “He loves my beef vegetable.” She then shook her head. “As if he didn’t know all he had to do was ask and I’d make it for him. Silly boy.”

Hunter stared. “Ma, he said he’s old enough to be your father.”

She waved her hand at him. “Maybe even my grandfather, but that doesn’t matter. To me, he’s a good boy.”

“We’re going to play with the kids.”

“Have fun.”

Hunter led Kiera out the back door. “My Ma is amazing.”

“She sure is. I would never call Caiden Ironwood a ‘good boy’.”

“I think it’s because she saw him unravel on a pretty consistent basis when he was raising Amelia. He was constantly going to her for help.”

“Everyone loved hearing stories about her hijinks,” she said, laughing. “Don’t you men call her the Little Terrorist?”

“We sure do and Meryn is called Menace.”

“Kiera!” the children called out before racing over. Both wore bright smiles and dirt covered their hands and faces.

Keran held up his basket. “We’re helping Grandpa.”

Kiera practically melted. Hunter was sure she was thinking the same thing he was. It was the first time they actually looked and acted like kids. “I bet you both have been a huge help,” she said.