Page 2 of Monster's Baby

“Do you feel better about your impending visit?”

“Not if you phrase it like that!”I exclaimed.

Grandfather laughed, speeding up the engine and drowning himself out.He let out a whoop of joy as we hit a large wave and went airborne for a second.

I let myself get caught up in his mood, laughing with him and egging him on to hit bigger and bigger waves.

Eventually, I saw the shoreline of England ahead, a fire on the sandy beach sending up a cloud of black smoke.

“There we go,” Grandfather said with a smile.“Your beau is waiting for you.”

I smiled, giddy even though I couldn’t make out any people yet.I sharpened my eyesight with a quick spell, and suddenly Aiden was visible, standing next to the fire, his hands shading his eyes as he looked out over the sea.

Even though I was too far away, I waved wildly enough that Grandfather had to grip my upper arm to keep me from falling overboard.

“We’re almost there.No more than fifteen minutes,” he said, amused.“Longer if you decide to go for a swim.”

That calmed me down, and I stopped waving so that I could hold onto the grip bar next to the steering column.I kept watching Aiden through the spell, though, and saw the second he spotted us, because he started jumping up and down, waving his arms over his head like a small child.

I beamed.

“You two are perfect for each other,” Grandfather said with a chuckle.

We reached the beach without any trouble, Grandfather using a small boost of magical power to get the yacht’s nose up onto the sand.

I scrambled along the water-slick prow until I reached Aiden, and jumped into his arms.He held me close, his arms shaking at first, his kisses frantic as he pressed them all over my face.By the time he’d made the full circuit, he’d calmed down enough to take my lips gently with his own, not so long as to make Grandfather uncomfortable as a bystander.

“Will you come for dinner, Sir?”Aiden asked, releasing me from his tight hold.

“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t think Hayden or Sean want to see me,” Grandfather said dryly, referencing Aiden’s grandfather and father.

“Grand-dad issued the invitation,” Aiden said.“But he also said he didn’t think you’d take it.He said to have safe travels.”

Grandfather nodded.“Thank him for me.”He winked at me.“Have a good time.I’m only a mirror call away.”

I smiled and patted my purse, where all my belongings were stowed in their shrunken state.

Aiden raised his hand, and at Grandfather’s nod of approval, gave the boat a boost of power to get it off the sandy beach.The boat motor roared to life, and we waved until it was out of sight.

“How are you?”Aiden asked.“Cold?”

“How can I be cold next to this furnace you built?”I teased.“The crossing was great, although I’m not sure Hazel could have handled it.The water was really choppy.Grandfather says we’re due for someweathersoon.”I emphasized it the way he had, implying a severe rainstorm.

“We should probably hurry in then,” Aiden said, looking up at the sky.“I don’t want to get caught in that.”

He doused the bonfire with a flick of his fingers, the temperature dropping instantly with the fresh sea breeze, and took my hand.“We’re not far.”

“I look forward to seeing your house.Are you sure there’s room for me?”

Aiden laughed.“Oh, sweetheart.You know Doyle Manor?”

I nodded.I was obviously familiar with Grandfather’s home.

“Chateau Evans is even bigger.”

I raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“You’ll see.”

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