Page 134 of Savage Heart

I grin at her use of the word home. Yep, I’ve turned into such a sap.

“We can do that, right, Evy?” he asks Mom.

“Of course!” she says.

“’Kay. Be good,” Iris says.

“I’m always good.”

“Seems to be true, from what I can tell,” I say. “Though some of your dad’s antics do come out every now and then.”

Linc beams. He loves hearing stories about his dad, and Iris and I both love talking about Lincoln. Jennifer watches his every move. I can tell she doesn’t exactly know how to be with him yet, but she’s trying. That counts for something.

They leave a few minutes later, Mom already talking about aprons and washing hands. Linc trots out between them like he’s going to an amusement park.

The second the door shuts behind them, Iris turns and looks at me, her eyes bright.

“Okay,” she says. “Go, go, go.”

I grin. “Ma’am, yes, ma’am.”

And then we’re hustling through the house decorating our asses off for a surprise party for Linc.

We blow up balloons and hang up streamers. I pull out a couple of extra tables and set them up. Iris works on an elaborate spread of food.

I keep sneaking in kisses every time I pass her. And when we get too carried away and I’m about to lift her on the counter to have my way with her, she smacks my chest.

“Focus,” she says.

I lean in for another kiss. “I am focused.”

“On the party!”

“Fine.” I sigh like I’m suffering, but she doesn’t buy it.

By the time we hear a few tentative knocks on the door, the house is transformed. Billie and Charlie poke their heads in.

“Is it safe?” Billie whispers.

“Yes, he’s still at the big house,” Iris whispers and then shakes her head with a laugh. “We don’t have to whisper.”

The rest of my family pours in, along with Otis, Vera, Kell, and Russell.

Otis tips his chin at me. “Harrington.”

“Otis. You give any more thought to my proposal?” I lean closer. “You know, Linc wouldn’t agree to moving in unless you came too . . .”

“Yeah, you mentioned that part.” He looks down. “I don’t know. I’ve lived in that trailer a lot of years.”

“So we can move it over here.”

“I didn’t say I loved it that much.” He gives me a sideways look.

I grin, nodding. “Okay. What are you thinking?”

“Well, I’m assuming that cabin near here isn’t available since you didn’t mention that as an option, but—”

“Oh,” I say in surprise. “Yeah. It’s available. It’s hardly ever used. I just thought you might want something new . . . something you could help design.”