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Jackie actually smiles at that. “That’s a good idea.”
Charlie nods. “I know.”
“What’s it going to smell like? A barnyard?” Brandon asks.
Charlie gives him a disappointed look. “Oh, Brandon. That isnota good idea. I think you need to let me and Jackie handle this joint effort.”
Brandon opens his mouth to reply, but Charlie steps forward, links her arm with Jackie’s, and pulls Jackie away, walking toward the barn.
The men watch them go.
Then Brandon says, “I want to be on the news.”
Griffin shrugs. “Then you’d better get back on Charlie’s good side.”
“Is that hard to do?”
“It sure can be,” Griffin says. “And the methods I use areabsolutely notavailable to you. So…good luck.” Then he follows his wife with a huge grin on his face.
Zander looks at Brandon. “You should go home.”
“But…Jackie.”
“She’ll find a ride home,” Zander tells him.
“But she…”
“There’s cappuccino, and probably gumbo, and a lot of animal visiting, anda lotof people visiting in her immediate future. It will be a while. But she’ll come home happy, so…you’re welcome.” Zander turns him and walks him toward his truck.
Brandon doesn’t seem to know what else to do, so he gets in his truck and drives off.
Finally, Zander and Knox notice me and Ruby.
“Henry!”
They come over with smiles. Well, Zander does. But Knox doesn’t frown, which is basically like smiling for him.
“Hi, guys. Ruby, Zander Landry, and Knox. Fiona’s husband.”
She extends her hand. “Hi, Zander.” She shakes his hand, then Knox’s. “We met at Cian and Scarlett’s wedding. I keep meaning to ask someone, is Knox your first or last name?”
“You can just call me Knox,” he says, taking her hand.
“Ohhkay.”
“It’s nice to see you again,” Knox says. He looks at me. “You’re taking her to meet Ellie?”
“Yes.”
“So she’s the one.”
Well…yes, she is. I nod. “Yes.”
Ruby looks at me. I meet her eyes and repeat, “Yes.”
She smiles. “Let’s go meet Ellie.”
Chapter 24