Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 144628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 579(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 579(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
She was absolutely going to say yes.
Nina joined them, taking her husband’s hand. “It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it?”
David and Tessa were officially husband and wife, and the entire McKay-Taggart world was out to celebrate. She felt a little sorry for the academics David had brought in. They looked slightly afraid of the motley group of ex-soldiers. Except that one woman who kept trying to get them to talk about former missions. For history’s sake, she’d told them.
“It was lovely.” Michael handed her another glass. “And not at all weird like JT said it would be.”
JT pointed his brother’s way. “Hey, it was only comfy for you because you found your girl. If you were doing this solo, it would be weird.”
He didn’t have to worry about that. That man was hers, and he wouldn’t be solo again.
Michael started to argue, but JT’s cell rang, and he went slightly pale.
“It’s the babysitter.” He put the phone to his ear. “Hey, how’s it…okay, you have to coax him down easy. Whatever you do, don’t panic. He can sense it.”
Nina glanced back as her husband walked away. “Poor girl.” She turned to Vanessa. “She doesn’t have your touch, dear. No one handles Jasper the way you do.”
She adored her almost nephews and Sophy. Getting to be the kids’ aunt was almost the best thing in her life. She squeezed Michael’s hand. Almost. “You have to give him something fun to do. I can’t wait to see how his kindergarten teacher handles him.”
Michael shuddered. “Whoever that is deserves hazard pay.”
“I’m already prepared to bribe the woman to not quit on the second day,” Nina replied with a smile. “So is it true? I caught a bit of the news on the way out here. Are you actually working with Junior’s widow?”
It had been the craziest turn of events. “She inherited everything. Since they didn’t have kids, there wasn’t even a fight. Everything went to Camilla. I thought she’d take up Junior’s suit to keep me out, but she called and told me she’s dropping the whole thing and offered me everything George wanted me to have. I explained what I wanted to do with the money, and she offered me more if I let her help me. Turns out she lost a brother to addiction.”
“I think she’s grateful,” Michael added. “I know that sounds terrible, but she knew she was on her way out. Junior wasn’t exactly kind. Camilla married him to help her family financially. She signed a prenup that would have left her with nothing. Now she’s set for life, and she seems to want to use the money for good. She’s going to give Vanessa enough to fully fund the Lara Benedict Foundation for a long time.”
It was exciting. She was finally going to get to work. Finally going to be able to fulfill her promise, but beyond that she was looking forward to making meaningful change in the world.
So the world was better for Jasper and Ryder and Sophy. So it was better for the kids she and Michael would raise.
“That’s incredible news.” Nina leaned in as the music changed to a slow song. “I also heard that you have a couple of offers on the table. Are you getting back in the movie business?”
She wasn’t sure about that. After all the fallout, some directors had come calling. “I don’t know. I think I’m happier behind the scenes. I’m thinking about producing.”
She would find talented women directors who hadn’t gotten a shot and give it to them. She would use her resources to give them a voice. Even the “difficult” ones. She’d found that being difficult was sometimes a necessity.
“I think that sounds wonderful,” Nina said.
JT rejoined them, sliding his cell in his pocket. “She’ll be okay. I think. Come on, baby. Let’s dance. We might have to leave and save the world from our son at any moment. I want to enjoy the time we have.”
She took her husband’s hand and started for the dance floor.
Michael offered her his. “Want to dance with me?”
“Always.” She took it and joined her family.
* * * *
Deke Murphy popped the top of his second beer and looked across the table. “Is insurance going to pay for that?”
It was almost midnight, but after David and Tessa’s wedding some of his friends had wanted to keep the party going, and his place had been closest. Which was important to a couple of his buddies because transportation had become a problem.
Hutch finished up his turn and nodded Kyle’s way.
MaeBe frowned. “I mean, they will eventually. I just can’t believe someone stole my car. I paid that sucker off six months ago, and they’re not offering me anywhere near what it was worth to me.”
If he didn’t know better, he would start asking which supernatural being Kyle and MaeBe had pissed off because they were having an incredible run of bad luck.