“Thank you.” She bit her lip. “I hope I haven’t caused too many problems.”
He drew Laney under the shelter of his large arm, dwarfing her tiny frame. “Actually, I think having you join the pack is an extremely positive move,” he replied, surprising her.
“You wouldn’t know it from the miserable faces in there.” She slammed a hand over her mouth. But he merely chuckled.
“Zachary liked us to keep to ourselves as much as possible,” Dusty explained. “We never had much to do with humans until Cooper came along and pushed us out into the real world. It’s ignorance, not hate.”
“So you see, Cassie. Their reactions showed me who I need to concentrate on and watch. Who requires a bit more exposure to the outside world. Having you around will be a good thing for us. For you, I’m not so sure. You sure you can handle this?” Cooper asked seriously. Cassie gazed up at him. Straightening her shoulders, she nodded.
He smiled approvingly. “Good. We’re leaving early, I’m afraid. Laney is tired. So we’ll bid you both good night.”
Laney glared up at Cooper, whacking him lightly on the chest. “I’m fine, Coop,” she complained. “You’re being overprotective.”
Cassie peered closely at Laney for the first time. She’d been too focused on herself to see it before, but Laney was looking exhausted. She was pale and had large, dark circles under her eyes.
“Laney?” she asked in concern.
Laney waved a hand at her in dismissal. “I’m fine. Come on, then.” She pulled at Cooper’s hand, trying to tug him along. Instead he swooped her up against his chest, carrying her as he walked toward their house.
Cassie turned to Dusty, frowning. “Is Laney unwell?”
Dusty grinned. “Yep, apparently morning sickness is a real bitch.”
“She’s pregnant?” Cassie turned to take off after her friend, wishing to congratulate her, but Dusty grabbed her hand.
“Yes, she is. But you’ve got to act surprised when she tells you,” Dusty warned her.
Cassie relaxed, nodding.
“Now, back to you owing me.”
Cassie let out a breath of impatience. “Come on, Dusty, aren’t you sick of this?”
“Nope.” The other woman gazed up at her, looking as gorgeous as always, even injured and in a wheelchair. “I have to know. I’ve been wondering for weeks now, all through my operations. Tell me.”
“Fine,” Cassie glared down at her. “But swear you won’t tell anyone else.”
“I swear.”
“Ahem.”
Cassie spun as someone cleared their throat behind her. She noticed Dusty didn’t even flinch. Rotten werewolf had known someone was behind them all along.
“Perhaps this is a good time to let you know we’re here.”
She smiled as Jay stepped out and hugged her, his chin coming to rest on the top of her head.
“Although I must admit, I’d like to know the answer.”
“I’ll go back inside,” Cain spoke up from the doorway.
“No, stay.” She was pretty sure he wouldn’t go blabbing to others. She stepped back, out of Jay’s arms.
“I’ll tell you, but none of you can laugh, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Dusty said impatiently. “Just spill.”
“It’s Buttercup.”
They went silent and still, as if waiting for her to laugh. She sighed.
“It’s no joke. My full name is Buttercup Cassidy Callington.”
“But why would your mother do that?” Dusty asked.
“The Princess Bride.” Surprisingly, it was Cain who spoke up. He grinned at her, the first smile she’d seen from him. “She named you after a feisty, unique and beautiful heroine.”
Cassie gaped at him in disbelief.
“Really?” Dusty said doubtfully. “You’ve seen it?” she asked Cain suspiciously as he wheeled her off the deck. Cain was the only person Cassie had ever seen wheeling Dusty around.
“Yep. Maybe we could watch it together some time.”
“Hmm, maybe.”
Jay was grinning as he turned Cassie. “Is it my imagination, or did those two really make a date to watch The Princess Bride?” he asked her.
She laughed. “Well, you know what they say.”
“No? What’s that?”
“For every obnoxious, irritating person there’s a patient, stoic man just waiting to sweep her off her feet.”
“Ahh, so that’s what they say, is it?”
“Yeah, that, or she wants to watch it so she can find something else to tease me about.”
He laughed before stealing her mouth for a kiss.
“Let’s get out of here, aye?”
She arched an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t be running away from your own party, would you?”
He swept her up in his arms. “Not so much running from, but running to. You’re all I need to celebrate, because you are the reason I’m celebrating.”
“Well then, let’s go home and have a party for two.”
“As you wish.”
About the Author
Lorna Jean lives in beautiful New Zealand with her partner. Reading has always been her favorite pastime, and when she’s not reading stories filled with passion and romance she finds herself dreaming up new ones. When she’s not in front of the computer screen or curled up with a book, she can usually be found drinking coffee, or shopping, or watching re-runs of Kath and Kim on DVD.
Lorna welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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