Page 99

“We have them often,” Rob said. “We’d love to have you join us anytime.”

“If you would like to take one of our Alaskan wilderness tours, we even have shifter tours,” Casey said.

“Now that sounds remarkable, if I could pry your mother away from selling properties long enough,” Monica’s dad said.

“Of course, I would love to do that. What fun. Do you have mates and children?” her mother asked Andy’s cousins.

“I have a mate and four children.” Rob told them their ages.

“That’s a handful,” Monica’s mother said.

“I’ve got a mate and two kids,” Eward said. “Andy’s brother, Ben, is still unmated, and his brother Craig and his mate Margot are working at it.”

Everyone looked at Andy and Monica. Her cheeks warmed. She shouldn’t have been embarrassed, but she and Andy hadn’t discussed children yet.

“In the works.” Andy grinned.

“But not right away.” Monica was glad she no longer had to take the muscle relaxant for her back because she was ready for lots more loving with Andy. “Everything is delicious, by the way.”

Her parents shared a conspiratorial look. Maybe they worried there was already trouble in paradise.

But Monica didn’t see it that way. If she and Andy had a child or two earlier than she’d planned, she would be delighted.

Everyone agreed that the food was outstanding. After finishing dinner and visiting longer, they all wished each othergoodnight. This time, her parents hugged Edward, Rob, and Casey also before they headed out.

When they arrived at Monica’s home, it looked so empty. But she was ready for the move. She would remove the linens from the beds, her last act of packing up in the morning, as everyone headed to the bathrooms for showers, and she and Andy slipped into the master bedroom to shower together.

“Sorry about saying we were working on having babies.” Andy sounded a bit contrite.

She kissed his chest. “If we do, we do. I would be happy just the same. But I’m serious about our mini honeymoons.”

“I’m all for it.”

“And I'll make you feel extra special when you come home from work. I know you’ll be tired after dealing with out-of-sorts, cantankerous motorists and the like, so I want you to feel you can talk about anything and get it off your chest.”

He kissed her mouth. “I usually bend my family’s ears, so that would be welcome.”

They finally fell asleep, but Monica heard pounding on a stake out front before she was ready to wake. “Mom.”

“Putting out a For Sale sign?” Andy asked.

“Yep. Let’s get the bedding packed before my mom starts moving my furniture out from under us.”

The guys were already up when Monica and Andy joined them. They helped strip the beds and pack the bedding in boxes. Then they were on their way, stopping briefly at a pancake house for breakfast.

What amused Monica even more was when they were on the way to Andy’s home, she saw Genevieve and Ned driving toward Anchorage. The caravan of vehicles honked at them, and they waved in response, honking back. Ned got on the phone with Andy on Bluetooth. “Monica, your parents invited us for brunch, so we’re headed up there to visit with them.”

“Oh, wonderful.” Monica was thrilled that her parents could meet Andy’s and that they had made the gesture. She hoped they would all get along, though. Her dad thought he was the ultimate chef, and since Ned owned a tavern, he probably thought he was.

When they ended the call, she explained that to Andy. He just laughed. “A little rivalry between dads never hurt anyone.”

She wasn’t too sure!

24

After the cousins and Casey unloaded the boxes of Monica’s household goods at Andy’s house, they left, and Monica and Andy tackled the contents, which seemed overwhelming.

Hours passed, and half-empty packing boxes still surrounded them. Monica sidled up to Andy and caressed his arm, kissing his cheek as he added some of her office supplies to his stash. “We’ve spent all day emptying boxes. Even though there’s much more left to do, do you want to play outside as bears?”