Page 31 of With This Witch
“Anytime, sis,” Declan responds, putting his arm around her shoulder. “Don’t be afraid to put him in his place. He needs it.” He laughs as Lachlan lightly punches his shoulder.
Petra grins at Lachlan. “Oh, no worries there.”
Gammy and Daisy wrap Petra in a final group hug, and then Gammy holds Petra’s face in her hands, looking deep into her eyes.
“You are chosen, my love. Don’t ever forget it,” Gammy says, before releasing her and walking toward the door. Chosen for what? Gammy is just being overly sentimental today.
Daisy, Fenella, and Declan follow closely behind Gammy while Lachlan and Petra take a moment to themselves before following the others out.
“Holy Goddess, we got married today,” Petra says.
Lachlan beams. “We did.”
“Now what?”
“Now we go home.”
* * *
Standing outside Lachlan’s large century home, Petra side-eyes him. “You know when you said ‘go home,’ I didn’t think you would take me toyourhome.”
He leans back against the black railing on the front porch as he crosses his arms across his broad chest. Though he smiles softly, his eyes say something mischievous is happening inside his head.
She narrows her eyes at him, trying to decipher his plan and what’s happening inside his head. “I guess we should have talked about this and how our ‘married life,’” she says, making air quotes with her fingers, “was going to work. I wasn’t expecting us to live together.”
“I know we haven’t talked about how we want this to work, but I think it makes sense for you to move in here. One, it’s bigger, so you’ll have lots of space, should you need to get away from me. Two, if we are posing as a married couple to the council, then it makes sense that we would be living together since that is generally what married couples do,” he explains.
Petra moves to stand next to him, leaning over to rest her forearms on the railing. She gazes down at the garden on the other side. “I mean, I guess that makes sense. I hadn’t thought about it. I just figured we would return to our regular lives.”
“We could, but if we want the council to buy this relationship, we need to make it look real. We both know if they get even a whiff of this being for convenience, they will find whatever loophole they can to pass on the title to Sloan.”
“True. I just don’t get what they have against me and why they are trying so hard to ensure I don’t become the next Premier Witch.”
“I’m not sure what Grog’s motive is, but I think there’s some lingering animosity between him and Gladys. Only time will tell Grog’s true agenda, but until then, we can do everything possible to ensure that you are the chosen candidate.”
“Gammy’s told me a little, but it seems like such a long time for Grog to hold a grudge. Maybe I should brush up on my Gammy history and find out what’s really going on underneath it all,” Petra responds, spinning her new wedding band on her finger.
Lachlan turns and reaches for her hands, gently clasping them in his own, stopping her nervous fidgeting.
“Spending time with Gladys and learning more about her sounds wonderful. Not that I want to ruin what has been a fantastic day with a discussion of her passing, but we know she’s on borrowed time, and I think it would be beneficial for both of you to spend as much time together as you can,” he says carefully.
“I know.” She tries to hold back the deluge of tears waiting at the thought of her Gammy no longer being with them, but a couple slip out.
Petra feels him release her hands before he pulls her into his chest, wrapping his strong arms around her. She rests her cheek on his chest, and he sets his chin on her head.
“I will be here for you every step of the way,” he promises. “By the way, you’ll want to send a copy of the marriage license to the other council members before the deadline next week.”
“Thank… thank you,” she sniffles.
“Why don’t we go inside, change into something more comfortable, and watch a movie?” he prompts.
“With popcorn and M&Ms?”
“Absolutely.”
“That sounds great,” she responds as they approach the door. “But I don’t have any clothes here, and I need to feed Morris.”
He smiles warmly at her, placing his hand on the small of her back. “I had Daisy drop off clothes for you earlier today, and I personally went and collected Morris and all of his things while she was there.”
