Page 65 of Fall of a Kingdom

“Two peas in a pod, I hope.”

“They’ll be best friends,” I assured her. “They’ll keep each other’s confidences, gush about boys—”

“But never fight over the same one,” Quinn interrupted.

“No, they won’t. They’ll be way too enlightened to do that,” I agreed.

“Sleep overs,” Quinn added. “Almost every weekend.”

Quinn painted a beautiful picture that could only occur if we lived in close proximity. “What made you decide to move to Scotland? You both mentioned it, but I didn’t think you were seriously considering it.”

“She’s jealous of your relationship with Sasha, you know,” Igor called out. “She’s never gotten over how close the two of you are.”

If that was the case, then why would she bring her fiancé and I closer together?

Igor raised his eyebrow and I realized he’d heard my retort because he was inside my head.

“Family,” Quinn said easily. “I’ve been hiding in Martha’s Vineyard for longer than I care to admit. It was safe and comfortable there, but I didn’t realize how removed from everything I was until we spoke on the phone the other day and I just…missed it all. The craziness and energy of family, the connection. I want Helena to grow up here. Is that okay?”

“Is that okay?” I repeated. “More than okay! This makes me so happy I can’t even tell you. Are you sure I didn’t badger you into it?” I shuffled Piper to my other shoulder.

“No,” she assured me with a smile.

Igor’s stare pinned me to my seat. “Your husband will not be happy that the man who’d gladly take his place is planning to move a stone’s throw away from you.”

“Hell,” I muttered.

“What was that?” Quinn asked, leaning forward as if to hear me better.

“Nothing,” I said hastily. “Flynn surprised me with a nursery for Piper—all brand-new furniture. But we still have the baby furniture from Hawk and the twins in the attic. Flynn and Sasha can move it down into one of the guest rooms on the other side of the castle. I would say we could give you the baby furniture Ash and Duncan use for their kids when they’re here, but—”

“Better to leave it where it is, since it’s still needed,” Quinn said.

I nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”

Quinn chuckled. “Helena is going through a screaming in the middle of the night phase.”

“Oh, is she? You’ve conveniently left that information out when you asked to stay.” I smiled, letting her know it was all in jest. “Not that it matters. We have a newborn, and Ash and Duncan stay here frequently enough that I’m well versed in sleepless nights.”

“You sound like you’re happy that you get to do it all over again,” Quinn commented.

“I am. I don’t know why, but I am.”

“Where are the boys?” Quinn asked. “They haven’t come down to investigate who showed up at their house.”

“They’re used to the revolving door of guests. Besides, they’re probably making a fort in the playroom while watching a movie.”

“Ah. Little boys and their forts.”

“Are you hungry? Mrs. Aducci made something this morning that smelled fantastic when we got home, though I haven’t had time to rummage through the refrigerator and figure out what it is.”

“I could eat,” Quinn said. “Sasha? Are you hungry?”

He paused in conversation with Flynn and shook his head.

“Flynn?” I asked.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.” He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling.