While her logic made sense, the idea of willingly stepping outside the walls still made my insides quiver. There was so much out there. And, Merdon and Thallirin had just run off into it by themselves.
“Do you think they’ll be okay?” I asked.
“You both have nothing to worry about,” Angel said. “Thallirin and Merdon are survivors and will be just fine.”
“Less talking and more practicing,” Shax said, looking pointedly at me.
“Why didn’t Shax go with them?” I asked after sticking my tongue out at him.
“He’s afraid of missing the pez dispenser action,” Angel said, patting her belly. “This will be the first birth ever for the fey.”
“That’s still weeks off, right?” Brenna asked.
“Yep. But Shax’s still worried. We’ve talked to Cassie all about the birthing plan, which will probably include him breaking down their door, pulling Cassie from her bed, getting hit in the face by Kerr for touching Cassie, Cassie’s kids screaming in terror at the commotion, and me giving birth all by myself.”
“I will be calm, my Angel,” Shax said. “I swear.”
Angel looked at us with an instigating smile.
“He’s totally going to be a fainter.”
Eden sniggered.
“That’s why I’ve okayed a few other fey to be there. If we can manage to summon Cassie in a reasonable manner, she’s going to leave the kids under fey watch and bring Kerr with her. Shax gets to choose one other fey to witness the actual delivery.”
“Three guys watching you give birth?” Eden asked. “Bless your heart.”
Angel just grinned wider. “You know how they share information. I don’t want to rob them of a chance to learn what getting a girl knocked up means.”
“Good idea. Maybe they’ll stop wanting to knock up all the ladies when they see what it’s really like,” Brenna said.
“Be sure to scream and swear,” I added.
Angel’s smile lost a little of its luster.
“You guys are making me nervous. Let’s focus on practicing.”
Without Merdon, I didn’t push myself as hard. I still shot well, but I declined to use the knife dummy. The only thing I couldn’t take it easy on was the hand to hand because Eden and Brenna wouldn’t let me.
“I like Angel as a partner better,” I said after landing on my back.
“Don’t be a baby,” Brenna said, extending her hand. “I need someone I can toss so I can practice that move you pulled on me.”
“Then pick on Eden.”
“She already did,” Eden called from the sidelines.
Noon couldn’t come fast enough. When everyone agreed it was time to call it quits and head home for lunch, I grabbed my bow and jogged to the house.
“Honey, I’m home,” I said, opening the door.
“Good. I think I have everything ready. While you eat, look this over.”
She set the sheet of paper she’d been reading next to the plate on the counter. Hungry, I didn’t need to be told twice. I kicked off my shoes and hurried to my ham and cheese sandwich with extra mayo and sprouts.
“Seriously, how did you get sprouts?” I asked around a mouthful of sandwich. “This is fantastic. I didn’t realize how much I was missing fresh green stuff.”
“I’ve been spending a lot of time in the supply shed and noticed a bag of seeds that was labeled sprouting seeds.”
“Sprouting seeds? What’s that mean?”
“It means they’re seeds specifically meant for eating just like that.”
“So like bean sprouts.”
“I won’t bore you with the kind—”
“You’re afraid I’ll stop eating it. What is it?” I asked, talking over her.
“—but I will tell you it’s good for you. So keep eating.”
We had a stare off, which she won because the sandwich was that good, and I didn’t want to stop eating it even if I was consuming something weird.
“How much more of this stuff is there?” I asked, finished with my first half.
“Mary and I only grew a small batch. We figured we’re probably going to need all the seeds to set up food plots when the weather turns. But we have enough for me to use a little to test out some recipes.”
“So, you’re thinking of sandwiches for your dinners?”
“That’s why you’re eating one. Does the flavor make up for the lack of fancy?”
I slowly chewed my bite then nodded.
“I think it does, but you need to make sure you’re serving it to someone who likes greens. You know how fussy people can be.” I added that bit with a grin because I knew she’d found me fussy a time or two.