Page 30 of Savage

“She’s our lunch guest,” Mom cut in, saving Rand from sticking his foot in his mouth. “Don’t scare her off before she even takes off her coat.”

Realizing she was right, I helped Becky get out of her jacket and tossed it at Rand. “Hang it up, runt. This is the woman who’s making you an uncle.”

He was far from little. In fact, he was taller and heavier than I was. But he was four years younger and had been small until he hit thirteen. Then, as my mom said, he grew overnight.

He held the coat in his hand as he opened his mouth in an exaggerated “O” and swung acan you believe itgaze at Nash. “No shit.”

“Language, Rand,” Mom scolded then reached out a hand to Becky. “Come into the kitchen and sit down. We’ll try not to overwhelm you. We’re so excited.”

I held a chair out for Becky, and she slid into it, her stomach growling again. I sat beside her, my hand protectively on the back of her chair.

“How did you two meet?” Dad asked as Mom used a spatula to place a slice of lasagna on a plate then passed it to Becky.

She thanked Mom then looked up at me. “At Audrey’s bachelorette party.”

Mom stopped plating the next piece. “You’re friends with Audrey?”

“We work together at the hospital. I’m a nurse.”

“You’ll move into a cabin up here like Audrey and Boyd or stay in town? Oh, you two can live in the rental.” Mom glanced at Dad, who nodded.

“We’re taking things slow,” I said.

Nash hadn’t said a word until now, but he snorted then tried to hide it by taking a sip of water.

“You’ve been gone for… work for some months,” Dad said, taking his lasagna-filled plate and setting it before him.

“I know you work with the horses. Audrey told me. That takes you out of town?” Becky asked.

So many fucking secrets. No one at the table knew I was a council enforcer, so I had to give my usual lie, which came to me really fucking easily by now. “I visit other ranches working with them on their horse programs. Breeding. Things like that.”

She blushed, and I got hard beneath the table at the virile thought that I’d bred her. Mom handed me my plate. Becky waited until everyone was served, her hands in her lap.

“Eat, dear,” Mom said, picking up her fork and digging in. Only then did Becky begin.

“This is so good,” Becky said after she swallowed her first bite then wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Thank you. All my boys say it’s their favorite.”

“I can see why. And my stomach seems to like it.”

“Weird cravings?” Mom asked.

“Avocados. Cocktail wieners.”

“I love pigs and blankets. Remember, Ma, you used to make those all the time. With mustard,” Rand added, staring off into space as he reminisced about his time with miniature hot dogs.

“If Becky likes them, I’ll make them for her. You?” she shrugged at Rand then gave him a wink. “Only if you give me a grandbaby.”

“We’ve got ultrasound pictures,” Becky offered. “Of the baby. If you—”

“Of course, we do,” Dad said, setting his hand on hers again.

Becky smiled. “It’s in my purse.”

As she started to stand, I did as well. “I’ll get it.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll get it, and if it’s all right, may I use the bathroom?”