Page 49 of Hot Rucking Canadian

He laughed.

“I’m trying to be serious, Isaiah.”

He pulled back. Whether because of my tone or because of my using his proper name, I wasn’t certain. He touched my cheek. “What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not—” I stopped abruptly. Of course I was terrified. Who wouldn’t be? We’d known each other three months. I’d never had any stable relationship in my life. My mother had been gone longer than I’d had her. I never did more than one-night stands. Hell, my right hand got more use than me being with other people. So the idea of spending the rest of my life with someone—anyone—terrified me.

But I was especially petrified because this was Mallow.MyMallow. The man I loved. I’d told the kids as much this morning and, after Nana made her appearance, I realized she, and Mallow, had probably overheard us. “I’m afraid of disappointing you.” I pointed to my face. “A face only a mother could love.” Something I’d repeated to myself over and over. Only my mother had never had that opportunity. And I certainly hadn’t sought out anyone who might disagree.

Mallow cocked his head. “Have you looked around lately?”

I did a quick sweep of the group. “Uh, sure…?”

“And did you notice Paul’s tattoos? And Peter’s? And Libby’s?”

“Well, yeah.”

He snorted. “Sweetheart, I’m surrounded by ink. I’ve chosen not to get tattoos while I’m playing, but I’ll certainly get them once I retire. Where they can be covered up so I don’t have a problem with the school board. When I retire from teaching, though, I’ll do my forearms, hands, and face. This is part of who I am. I might be a good Canadian boy, but my heart is also here. With my family. I want to express that as well. In good time.”

“So you don’t…?” I waved in the direction of my face.

“Think you’re some kind of criminal? Or that someone slashed your face in a knife fight?” He snickered. “I know you’re not a bad guy—in any sense of the word—and an industrial accident by a careless employer doesn’t reflect on you. It reflects poorly on them, and they should’ve faced steeper punishments. But none of that matters. Literally. All I see is the man I love.” He grinned. “The man who, I believe, told my nieces and nephews this morning that he loved me.”

“Uh…you overheard that?”

“What? You giving great advice? Yes. Because obviously you care. And that means everything to me. So they’re coming to stay, eh? I guess we’ll have to find a way to get a house.”

I squinted into the fire. “I might’ve snuck a look at Vancouver real estate.”

He laughed. “Oh dear.”

“I might’ve found a place in the east end. Near where I used to live. On a nice street, though. It’s a down-to-the-studs gut job. Will take a lot of money both to buy and to renovate.”

“Well, that’s not a problem.”

“Oh really? How’s that?”

“Three things.” He gave methatlook.

“Okay…hit me.”

“First, I have some equity in my condo.”

“And I have my retirement savings.” He had to know I was invested in this—however we were going to make it work.

“We might not need that.”

I started to speak.

He placed a finger to my lips.

I desisted.

“Second, there’s an inheritance. Each grandchild gets a small amount either when they marry or when they turn thirty.”

“I’m amazed everyone isn’t married.”

“Ah, but Nana has to approve. And before you ask, she’s given us her blessing. If we marry, that small inheritance is mine.”

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