Page 42 of Hot Rucking Canadian

“Would you…” I gestured to her Sharpie.

She grinned.

I opened my bag and brought out one of my photos. I loathed the things, but Nana insisted I bring one home for each of her grandchildren. I kept a couple in my bag and the rest were crammed into my suitcase.

The gate agent handed me the marker, and I signed her photo with a flourish.

She handed me the new boarding passes.

I made my way back over to Travis. “I have a treat for you.”

“Ginger candy?”

“And some anti-nausea meds. Which you should take now. No, a special treat.”

“You charmed someone.” He eyed me, with one bloodshot dull-blue eye. “You’re up to something. I saw you.”

“Just act casual when we get the best seats on the plane.”

“Sure, I can do that.” He pressed a hand to his forehead.

“You going to be okay?”

“Just make certain we’ve got every airsick bag on the flight. And maybe extras.”

I did ensure we had a few extras but, in the end, we didn’t need them. The flight was brilliantly perfect, and we landed without so much as a belly clench from my boyfriend.

Fortunately, my uncle Peter picked us up and spirited us away to his spare bedroom. He kept the family at bay while Travis and I slept for about twenty hours. Finally, we awoke feeling almost normal. A simple breakfast of eggs and fruit settled our stomachs, and we were soon ready to greet the family.

Well, I was.

Travis was fucking terrified.

“If you can survive your first flight, you can take on my family.”

“I’m taking a cruise ship back to Canada.”

“You’ll get seasick.”

He pressed a hand to his belly. “I’ll swim. I’m never doing this shit again. Ever.”

“Uncle Izzy! Uncle Izzy!”

Six of the younger nieces and nephews barreled into the room.

I offered Travis a sheepish shrug.

He sat up straighter.

And we were off.

Chapter Fifteen

Travis

Mallow’s family was…something else. Like, the first night, to celebrate his homecoming, they threw a barbecue in his honor. I lost track at about fifty people, but apparently two hundred and two showed up.

Nana was in her element. She directed her many minions to do all the cooking, food organizing, and beach activities as the sun set over the ocean.

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