Page 23 of Forbidden Secrets
“Trying to get rid of us?”Emery teased.“Harding is so besotted with Violet we have to fight him for time with her.He makes sure we get plenty of date nights.”She gave a wry grin.“He’s scheming for more babies so he’s making sure we have time to do the deed.”
“Are you kidding me?That’s why he’s always taking her?”Shane looked vaguely horrified.
Emery shrugged.“Pretty sure.I mean, he loves her, but he’d be happy if we had a half dozen babies.”
Gage laughed when Shane paled.
“Anyway,” Emery added, “you’re one of our people.I’m happy we ran into you.”
Funny thing was, he knew she meant it.
He leaned back as Emery launched into a story involving baby vomit and Shane’s poor choice to hold Violet overhead.
“How can that tiny kid hold that much milk?”Shane grumbled.
“I’d warned you not to hold her like that.That was top-quality breast milk.All wasted.”Emery sent Gage a grin.“Let me know if it’s TMI.After giving birth, the guardrails are down.I have zero modesty and everything’s open for discussion.”
“I’m good,” Gage said, laughing.
The food arrived and everyone dug in.
As he dipped fries into ketchup, Gage glanced back across the room.Melanie was talking and Bradford was on edge.He’d shut down, legs crossed, arms tight, jaw clenched.
Whatever she’d said had rattled Bradford’s smug façade.
Good,Gage thought.She can handle herself.
But the restlessness inside him kept humming.
Mateo and Juliette wandered over.
“Hey, Gage,” Juliette said, nudging him with her hip.“We need dog advice.”
“What’s up?”
“Pancake is such a cool dog.Would you recommend a golden?”
Gage shot a look at Emery, who didn’t look even a little guilty.She and her sisters had cooked up the idea and ambushed him at Christmas with the one-year-old goofy pup.Then they named her Pancake after she stole breakfast off the table.
He rolled his eyes.Emery just batted her lashes.
He cocked his head to look at Juliette and Mateo.“You two thinking of getting a dog?”
Juliette nodded.“We want one, but I’m concerned about leaving a dog home alone with both of us working long shifts.”
“I think I’ve got it worked out,” Mateo said.“Davey at the station mentioned a woman who’s opened a doggie daycare and boarding business out at the edge of town.We should check it out.If it looks good, the dog goes to daycare when we’re both on shift.She does training too.”
Gage nodded.“Good idea.You don’t want to leave a golden on its own, especially if it’s young.It’ll get bored and tear your house apart.You’ll need to find a way for it to run and burn off energy.But Pancake?She’s all heart.They’re great dogs.”
Chase and Melanie rose from the booth.They talked a minute longer, then Chase tossed bills on the table and stalked through the bar to the back door.
He was pissed and barely keeping a lid on it.
Melanie got her coat and headed for the front.Gage pushed his empty plate back.“Mateo, you and Juliette have a seat.”He nodded to Shane.“Tell Owen I’ll come back to settle up.”
He ignored Shane’s low whistle.Grabbing his coat, he headed for the door.
CHAPTER SIX
