Page 44 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

Returning to the table, her new husband tilted his head, giving her a raised eyebrow.Crap. Her absence had been noted. She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Girl talk with Marnie.”

His lips twitched into a slight smile.

Marnie rejoined them several minutes later, gift bags in hand. “Time for presents.”

Mira and Calleigh wiggled in their seats in anticipation. Marnie handed a bag to each of the girls.

They pulled out their new dolls, comparing them with glee.

“What do you say?” A gentle reminder from Rusty.

“Thank you, Marnie,” said Mira.

“Thank you,” Calleigh repeated.

An intense discussion of what to name their dolls ensued while Marnie placed a bag in front of Remy. “We didn’t get to have a bridal shower—which we plan to rectify in the near future—but this is a taste of what’s in store.”

She wasn’t a huge fan of mystery, so she eyed the bag suspiciously. Gingerly, she looked into it, then slammed it closed as soon as she discerned its contents. Her face was hot enough to fry an egg on. Now everyone at the table knew what the gift was.

“A little something for both of you to enjoy.” Olivia’s grin was gleeful.

Remy glanced at Rusty. He had an odd expression on his face. Obviously, he determined it was lingerie, but was he thinking the same thing? That he wouldn’t get to enjoy this gift?

“Now for something from the office.”

Zach’s voice was a welcome reprieve from the dangerous turn her thoughts had taken. She accepted the envelope, grateful for the distraction.

She opened it, reading the certificate printed on vellum paper. “This is very generous…”Too generous. Way too generous.

Rusty eased the paper from her trembling hands, reading the words that triggered a wave of nausea so strong she almost gagged.

“The hotel is waiting for you.”

An unmistakable twinkle in her boss’ eye brought her up short. “Oh, we couldn’t possibly…the girls.”

Marnie, Jake, and Olivia all laughed in unison.

“We’re taking them home tonight.” Jake placed a protective hand across Marnie’s abdomen. “We need the practice. Let this be our contribution to the honeymoon.”

Honeymoon.

“I don’t have any clothes…”

Olivia grinned mischievously. “We packed a bag for you.”

She hadn’t contemplated a honeymoon. In fact, each time she had any thoughts of her future husband, she’d striven to keep them G-rated. Spend the night with him? Her breath stuttered.

Get it together.

Since the scrutiny was overwhelming, she pasted on a smile.

“Thank you so much.” She turned to her boss. “Thank everyone at work for me. Or I can do it myself on Monday.”

“You can do it on Wednesday. That’s my gift to you. Take a few days off.”

She wanted to argue, wanted to point out she’d taken two weeks when her parents died, but she knew it’d be both tactless and pointless. As her boss, if he told her to take the time off, she’d do that. Besides, maybe a bit of family time would be good for all of them, because the girls still needed reinforcement of their newfound security.

“Well, Wednesday, then. And thank you.” She offered a genial, if strained, smile. “To all of you. Today was perfect.”

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