Page 104 of The Pilot

He hoped Victor would be on his best behavior, especially since he wasn’t thrilled about Linc marrying his daughter. But if not, he wasn’t worried. Linc had plans for that grumpy bastard too.

Nothing big. Just being the best son-in-law in the whole damn world. Loving Victor’s daughter and grandson unconditionally. And supplying the man with all the craft beer he could ever want.

It would take time, but Linc hoped the man would eventually realize he was the best thing that had ever happened to Harper.

That the rift between the two families could be healed once and for all.

No matter what Victor’s mood, today was a good day. A great day. Kash was home, safe and healthy, his sisters-in-law were pregnant, he was engaged, and to top it off, the sun was shining, warming up their little slice of Maine.

Life had a tendency to be turbulent and unpredictable, but he’d learned that with the right person at your side, you could weather any storm, and come out smiling on the other side. Cheesy, but Linc knew it to be true. He was living proof.

Harper realized that for the first time since she’d figured out Kash was missing, she was happy. Truly happy. She was surrounded by people who didn’t judge one another for their differences. They simply enjoyed good company and lived each day as it came.

Seeing Kash interact with Ginger made her heart soar. He reminded her of how she and Linc were now. The former bully with the bullied. Not that she thought Kash would end up with Ginger, but life had a funny way of doing the unexpected.

Ginger’s boyfriend was cute. He was very polite, calling everyone sir and ma’am, and getting Ginger food or drinks when he wasn’t glued to her side. He held her hand and couldn’t seem to stop staring at her with stars in his eyes. He was besotted, and it wasn’t hard to see why. She was a gorgeous girl. And as the day went on, she loosened up, seeming to fit in with the Young family as if she’d known them for years.

Kash was having the time of his life, showing his robotics friends everything Lobster Cove had to offer, from the lobster swing to Fort Bad Assery, and even giving them a tour of the auto body shop with Walt. They also played hide-and-go-seek among the boats in the storage yard.

Her dad came over for a couple of hours, and while he hadn’t exactly seemed comfortable, he also hadn’t frowned at everyone, sitting like a grump in the corner. But he’d left immediately after Linc had pulled him aside to talk, and Harper worried a little about that. She guessed Linc had told him about them being engaged, and assumed that, once again, her dad wasn’t happy.

Linc confirmed her guess, then reassured her, promising that her dad would come around if they just gave him time.

Beyond that, the day was stress-free. And they’d all just finished stuffing themselves with seconds of Zach’s amazing tacos when it happened.

Zach cleared his throat and said, “I’d like to make an announcement.”

Harper turned to catch Linc’s eye. Her heart started beating faster with excitement. It was all she could do throughout the day to keep the huge secret that Linc had proposed earlier, and she’d said yes. Especially when she, Britt, and Marit had stood on the back deck watching Kash and his friends run around on the rocky beach.

“Marit and I are married. We didn’t want a huge thing, so we went and did a civil ceremony. Sorry, Mom, I know you probably wanted to be there, but we just wanted it to be done. To make things official before our baby was born.”

Evelyn looked confused. Then surprised. Then sad. “You got married without your family there?”

“We did,” he confirmed.

Evelyn opened her mouth to say something else, but she never got the chance.

“Um . . . I hate to interrupt . . . but I think someone needs to call nine-one-one. The baby’s coming.”

Everyone turned to stare at Britt in shock—then every person spoke at once.

“What?”

“It’s too soon!”

“Has your water broken?”

Chad was on his feet, looking absolutely terrified and panicked.

“I’m sorry! I think I’ve been in labor all day. I’m pretty sure my water broke when I went to the bathroom earlier, but I didn’t want to be a pain in the ass. This is Kash’s party, and I didn’t want to do anything to mess it up,” Britt said between quick breaths. She had a hand on her belly and was hunched over on the couch.

“Britt, you want me to drive you to the hospital?” Knox asked, sounding calm but urgent.

“Uh . . . I don’t think there’s time. I think I feel the head.”

“Holy shit,” Linc muttered from next to Harper.

The next few minutes were chaotic. All the adults were on their feet, doing what they could to try to make Britt more comfortable. Zach called 9-1-1 and was reassured the ambulance was on the way. Chad was at Britt’s side, encouraging her to breathe like the videos they’d watched had instructed. Kash and his friends had been shooed out to the deck, but they were all standing at the windows, watching what was going on inside with huge eyes.