Page 68 of Cayden

“That’s the plan.” Cayden slanted him a glance, before looking down at his sons. “Think the sun is too much for them? The nannies were horrified when I suggested that I take them out for a walk.”

“The nannies are middle aged women with zero imagination.” Clive grinned. “They are actually very nice women and are devoted to the children.”

“They make me feel as if I have to ask for permission to take them out of the house.”

“I thought I was the only one.”

Cayden grinned at him. “Not a chance. Let us see what the fuss is all about. Conail seems to have his hands full.”

“Moron.” Clive announced cheerfully as he pushed his nephews in his brother’s wake.

*****

“Where is Millicent?” She was still fuming from the high-handed way her husband had dealt with her. She should refuse to go out to dinner with him. Confounding man! She thought angrily. He had picked out the dress and entire outfit and shoved it at her. And after they have been at odds for God knows how long.

And to top it all off, he had insisted on having one of the drivers’ drop her off. If Joe wasn’t someone she liked a lot, she might have taken her resentment and frustration out on him, not that she was in the habit of doing so. But she was pretty upset.

“Gone to the markets” Blake kissed her on the cheek and ease her away to study her face. “I sense a series of complaints coming on. Why don’t we sit on the porch and have some of that delicious pecan pie, Millie made just this morning?”

“I would love that.”

“Sit,” he gestured to the porch swing. “I’ll be right back.”

She sat and took in a deep breath, letting it out, along with the anger clawing at her. It was summer and on top of that, it was her birthday.

After what she had experienced over the past months, she had a lot to be thankful for and she certainly wasn’t going to allow that exasperating man she was married to spoil it. She would to dinner at some fancy restaurant, dance (maybe) – have a delicious meal and go back home to her babies. To hell with him!

So, when her dad came back out, she was all smiles and ready to put it behind her for now.

*****

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

Cayden had waited until the last minute to tell her that something had come up and if she would not mind having her dad dropped her off at the manor. She had refused to argue with him and asked her dad if he could do her the favor.

“Of course not, honey, Millie and I are going out to dinner anyway. And we would not mind seeing those grandbabies.”

“I bet they have grown an inch or two since we saw them last.” Millicent was a slightly plump woman with a sweet smile and an amiable manner. One could not help but like her and Blair did. The woman had proven to be exactly right for her dad.

“You just saw them three days ago.” Blair reminded her as she settled in the back seat of her father’s Lincoln. “Dad, I wish you would let me buy you a new car.”

He glanced at her through the rear-view mirror and shook his head. “Millie and I love this vehicle. It happens to be a classic.”

“It’s old!”

“Bite your tongue. It drives just fine and is not as flimsy as the vehicles they are making now.” He glanced over at his wife and grinned conspiratorially. “Buckle up my dear.”

*****

“What on earth!” Blair straightened up as they swept inside the winding driveway, and she saw the lines of expensive vehicles already parked. “No one told me there was going to be a function here. Dad, just let me off…”

“Absolutely not. We aim to see the grandbabies, before we leave.”

“This is crazy!” She fumed. Shoving the door open, she watched as her husband came forward. Ignoring the charming smile and the way he looked in his spiffy sports jacket, she aimed a withering look at him.

“I really don’t appreciate…,” the rest of the tirade was cut off when he simply hauled her into his arms and kissed her until she was sagging against him. Keeping his arm around her waist, he lifted his head, green eyes dancing and greeted the older couple.

“Thanks for bringing her.”

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