Beside him, Finn nodded at her. “Very nice block. Poor follow-through.”
“I couldn’t hit her.”
“I’m not surprised in the least.” His chuckle ran along her nerves like a warm stroke of his hand.
Hailey and Dillon stared at him.
Well, no turning back now. Deliberately, Valerie moved closer and smiled up at him to let him know how much his presence meant to her.
How much she loved him.
A corner of his mouth tilted up, and he put his arm around her.
She leaned in. “Finn, I’d like you to meet my family. Hailey, her husband Rom Romano, Luca, my grandson—and my son, Dillon. And you all, this is Dr. Finn Blackwood, a professor at my university.”
“It’s good to meet you,” Finn said, totally at ease. “She’s very proud of you, you know.”
Hailey gave him a rueful sigh. “Up until this week, maybe. I take it you know what’s been going on.”
“I’m afraid so.” His smile was still as charming as the first time Valerie had seen him. “How about I treat you all to lunch? There’s a good Italian restaurant across the street, and we can get to know each other.”
To Valerie’s delight, both her children nodded, and then Luca woke up.
“Gammy. My Gammy,” he crowed, holding his arms up to her.
Yes, the world was right again.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ghost had never envisioned the private gardens teeming with half-pints, but such was life with a soft-hearted woman who’d mother the world.
Last week, when Beth and Nolan’s sons whined they never saw Sophia anymore, Valerie had decided Ghost should have a get-together for the Masters with children…and any other Masters and their subbies who wanted to come.
The question should have been who didn’t want to come.
Shaking his head, he left the crowded lanai to see what was going on in the gardens.
Off to the right was the pool. Stepping inside the screened enclosure, he stayed well back to avoid the tsunami of splashing.
In the pool, Kim and Raoul were playing ball tag with a batch of Marcus’s underprivileged teens. The boys were good kids despite some looking like advertisements for a tattoo and piercing business. Appearances could be deceiving.
Kim’s big German shepherd lay in the shade near the pool, watching intently. If Kim looked as if she was in trouble, the giant furball would jump in to save her.
A couple of the newer boys furtively checked out Ghost’s prosthesis—which was visible since he was wearing shorts.
For social events, he tended to wear jeans or pants. Although he didn’t particularly care what adults thought, he didn’t like the thought of upsetting children. But Valerie had said it was too hot for pants—and children were more adaptable than he gave them credit for.
The two boys in the pool realized he’d seen them checking out his leg. One flushed. The other one grinned. “You should paint flames on the silvery part.”
The pylon was the metal shank between the socket and the shoe. Ghost laughed. “I’ll let the prosthetics designers know.”
Yes, Valerie was right about tough, resilient kids.
At the pool’s shallow end, Gabi and Marcus were playing with energetic Sophia, who wore water wings. Who would have thought such a small person could splash so effectively?
Something bounced lightly off his back. He spun to see a bright red and yellow inflated ball rolling away.
“Yay!” In the pool, Kim did a victory dance.
“She got the Ghost!” The teens were cheering so exuberantly, a laugh escaped him before he assumed a suitable frown.
After all, a submissive had attacked a Master.
Obviously in agreement, Raoul shook his head at Kim. “Chiquita, such behavior to a Mas—ahem, the person who invited us—is most disrespectful.” The reproving words might have had more effect if Raoul hadn’t been smiling.
“Oh dear. I’m deeply sorry, Ghost.” Kim’s penitent expression wasn’t even close to believable.
“Raoul.” Ghost crossed his arms over his chest and looked stern. Because he’d had years of suppressing laughter while reprimanding new recruits. “After the party, please convey my dissatisfaction with your woman’s very insincere apology.”
Grinning, Raoul snagged Kim around the waist. “Of course, my friend. I will be happy to do so.”
There, that should ensure the couple would have an interesting evening.
Chuckling, Ghost tossed the ball to Kim’s opponent and continued his stroll.
In the blue-flowered contemplation garden, Uzuri, Rainie, and Jake were talking with Olivia and Natalia. The newly engaged couple was snuggled together on a loveseat and positively radiated contentment.
Made a man feel good.
Farther into the gardens, he spotted Saxon.
The big blond veterinarian was jogging slowly. His search-and-rescue, border collie-lab mix