Page 35 of The Defiant Curse

He nodded.

“Yep. They were just finished. The last of the construction is wrapping at the end of next week. The ballroom is being finished in the next couple of weeks. It’ll wrap right before Halloween. Construction began last week.”

Well, that was on track.

When she shivered, Michael knew it was time to get her inside where it was warm.

Opening the door, she stepped into the castle, and immediately, she was hit with two things.

The scent of dinner made her belly grumble, and the grandness of the kitchen was the other thing.

The place was nice.

Like nice-nice.

The kitchen was very tastefully done and big. She wasn’t shocked because they had a brood, and Callen would want all of their kids to fit comfortably. The island was massive, and the stove was ridiculous.

Oh, and she liked it.

Not far away, a man stood, and immediately, she recognized him. He was watching her, and she could see that he looked…nervous.

Well, there was no need.

Without hesitating, Michael made the introductions for them.

“Mom, this is my husband, Graham.”

That was all she had to hear. Toeing off her boots, she headed his way, and when she reached him, she hugged him tightly.

Michael watched, and in that moment, he had tears in his eyes. This was so important to him. Elizabeth was the one person he loved most in the world, next to his husband. Their bond mattered, and now, this mattered too.

Elizabeth knew how to love, so that’s what she did.

“Hello, Son,” she said, lovingly. “I’ve been dying to meet you,” she said, taking his face in her hands so that she could stare into his green eyes.

Graham had been nervous, and he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t been. The whole time they were outside, he was pacing like a caged tiger.

This woman mattered to his husband, and he only hoped she’d not hate him. After all, that was a distinct possibility. His own mother didn’t love him, so putting his faith in a stranger…

It was difficult.

And he was scared.

How could he not be?

This one moment mattered so much to D’Artangnan, and to be honest, Graham was a little jealous that the man he loved had a mom, and he didn’t.

Other than getting D’Artangnan back, his only other wish in life was to have a family. Now, it was being offered up, IF he could make it past this massive obstacle.

He knew about this woman, and the stories…they were terrifying. It wasn’t like she was just some woman off the street. This was Elizabeth Blackhawk, and she was notorious for a few reasons.

Notoriously strong.

Notoriously badass.

Notoriously chilly.

But here she was, hugging him, and immediately, he fell in love.