Page 14 of Under the Island Moon
“I’m not about to ruin anything,” he assured her. “I only want to know for my own sake,” Rhett said, “so if you disappear, I’ll know where to start looking for you.”
“I would smack you if you weren’t holding our son,” she scolded. “As if I would run off with Gentry Carver when I have you to come home to each night.”
“Sweet words.” He winked at her. “Flattery might help your case. Do go on.”
“Look at you, my handsome, intelligent,jealoushusband.” She ran a hand through his hair. “You must know you’re the only man I will ever want.”
“I don’t know.” He faked a pout. “Fatherhood’s got me feeling kind of soft. Vulnerable even.”
She barely contained a loud burst of laughter. “Too much,” she murmured. “I have yet to see or hear anything put a dent in your ego.”
Rhett grinned. “When you see Gentry, tell him the first round tomorrow night is on me.”
“Aw, there you go acting all mature and setting such a good example for our little boy.”
“Just remember all my good qualities when you clap eyes on your favorite author again. Are you ever going to tell Uncle Bruce?”
“Nope. He gets to be surprised just like everyone else.”
“He bought tickets to the tea?” Rhett’s eyebrows lifted in shock. “I thought it was a girl thing.”
“No. Everyone is welcome.” At his challenging stare, she elaborated. “Okay, it’s mostly women. We sold out almost instantly. I’m pretty sure the only men in attendance will be you, Nico Billings, and Uncle Bruce.”
“I’m only there for you. Moral support and all. You’re not counting Gentry?” He batted his eyelashes.
“I’m going to ignore that.” She kissed him again. “Is that enough to guarantee you’ll keep my secret?”
“One more should do it.”
“You’re an extortionist,” she murmured before kissing him soundly. “Do we have a deal?”
He grinned. “We do.”
“Great.” She stood and smoothed her dress. “I’ll see you at four.”
“Who’s keeping the baby?”
“Bring him along. Molly can hold him. That way she can give directions, but won’t be able to overdo it.”
“Not a bad plan. But you’ve got Misty on standby right?”
“Of course I do.” They had the best nanny in the business because their schedules were so fluid. Once they’d both returned to work full-time, Trina’s mother insisted that she hire someone to give them the support they needed.
She appreciated her mother’s sage advice. Misty was a revelation. Kind and compassionate, and so good with Marco. Probably even better with his parents.
With one soft brush of her son’s hair, she reluctantly returned to work.
Trina expected motherhood would be challenging. She’d spent plenty of sleepless nights during her pregnancy worrying about what kind of mistakes she would make with their child. She suspected Rhett had done the same, though he hadn’t said so directly. And yet now that they were in it, they were managing. With support and guidance and plenty of help.
And of course, having the best baby in the world made all the difference.
Chapter 2
Trina was thrilled to see everyone come through, arriving on time with all the energy needed to dress the tea room for tomorrow’s event.
The editors of the Brookwell Bugle, Holly Brooks and Vince Goodridge, took photos and asked the volunteers some friendly questions as they worked. Holly and Vince, with the Bugle’s support, had jumped at the chance to provide a themed selfie backdrop as well as a Victorian-era photo cut-out board.
Trina was the first to step behind the board and frame her face in the cut out. Rhett used his phone to catch the picture and they all got a good laugh.
