Page 82 of The Scenic Route
Molly’s giggle turned into a squeal, and then there were some rustling noises and heavy breathing and more laughter from both of them, and Felicity pulled her phone down so she could give it a dubious look before putting it back to her ear.
“Fifi, it’s John Carmondy.”
Felicity could hear Molly’s breathless voice in the background, demanding her phone back.
“Tell meeverything.”
Felicity couldn’t help but laugh at her ridiculous boyfriend-in-law. “First off, I know who you are. Why did you tell me your last name like Molly has a stable of Johns running around the house?” She paused, since that came out a little differently than she’d planned. “Second, let me talk to Molly. I’m not going to gush over my new husband with you. That’d be weird.”
“Fine,” he huffed, and there was a slight pause before Molly’s voice came through with a slight echo that told Felicity they were on speaker.
“Sorry, Fifi,” Molly apologized. “Remember how you all liked him and I didn’t because I thought he was stealing all my jobs and you told me how great he was?”
Felicity shrugged even though her sister couldn’t see her. “I still like him,” she said easily.
“Thanks, Fifi,” John butted in, sounding smug. “You’re my favorite after Pax.”
“Mm-hmm.” Felicity had a feeling he’d also told that same thing to Cara, Norah,andCharlie on different occasions.
Before she could say anything else, the bathroom door opened. She couldn’t help the sappy smile that spread over herface at the sight of her husband, the one who loved her. He grinned back, the crease between his eyebrows smoothing out of existence.
“Moo, I have to go. We’ll be back in a few days, so I’ll tell you the rest in person, okay?”
“Only if I’m around to hear it too,” John said.
“Hang on, Fifi.” Molly’s voice sobered. “Sorry to do this to you, but would there be any way you can give Charlie a hand? She’s trying to pretend that everything is fine, but I think she’s having a hard time. There’s just a few weeks before Mom’s next court date, and if we don’t get her back in time for that…”
“She forfeits her bail and we lose the house,” Felicity finished as her heart sank. She’d been hoping she and Bennett could actually have that real honeymoon they’d joked about, the one where they didn’t leave the suite for days at a time. There was no way Felicity could let Charlie struggle alone, however, especially when their family home was at stake. Her sister needed her, so she’d be there. As much as she wanted it, a real honeymoon could wait. With a silent sigh, she forced a more cheerful tone. “Of course. Give me a day to wrap things up with the sheriff’s department. Is Charlie still in Nebraska?” Her heart sank even more at the mention of her least-favorite state.
“Yep, Omaha, according to her last text. We’ll fly you out and have Charlie pick you up at the airport—or both of you if Bennett’s going too?”
Her gaze met his, and she couldn’t help the wry edge to her words. “He’ll be going. Won’t be able to keep him away.”
He gave her a puzzled look as she exchanged her usual I-love-yous and be-carefuls with Molly and John.
“Charlie needs help,” she explained after she’d ended the call. “We’ll be flying out tomorrow to meet her in Omaha—or Des Moines, maybe, if Mom keeps heading east.”
His eyebrows knit again. “We?”
Her stomach gave another churn, but she forced a smile. “Sure. Now that you’re back on the case, you can join us on our Mom-chasing adventures.”
His expression blanked as he sat on the edge of the bed. She studied him curiously. He almost seemed…nervous?
“I’m not on the case,” he said, studying his hands where they were braced on his knees. “I just called my client—myformerclient—and told them I’m off the case. Permanently.”
“But why?” Felicity asked, her heart leaping with hope. “Aren’t they your best client?”
He shrugged, catching her gaze. His eyes were hungry, making her mouth dry and her heart thump against her ribs. When he smiled, though, the heat shifted into such an intense love that she pressed her fist to her chest. “Conflict of interest. I’m married—and wildly in love—with Jane Pax’s daughter. Plus I’m a general in her bounty-hunting army.”
This time, when a smile curved her lips, she meant it with her whole heart. “And she’s wildly in love with you—but you’re a colonel. That’s the highest I’ll go.”
“I’ll take it.” He lunged, making her squeal with laughter as he landed above her, caging her to the bed with his arms.
“We’re staying married then?” She’d assumed they would,with the love declarations and all, but she wanted it confirmed before she could stop that tiny niggle of worry.
His expression turned cautious. “Do youwantto stay married?”
“I do.” She grinned at her unintentional vow.
