she had her baby, and she never introduced them. I’ve heard the man is a roughneck, so she’s probably better off. I don’t know. Maybe that’s a wonderful way to live. I know there were times I wished your father had spent months on an oil rig and not at home. Honey, I don’t think you should worry about this. Once we get through all the wedding craziness, I suspect she won’t be around much. I’ve heard she’s thinking of selling and moving to Houston.”
She was starting to hope that wouldn’t happen, especially if it meant losing Harry.
“That might be for the best. There’s a lot of work in Houston.” Angie nodded as though the idea pleased her.
Was her daughter getting jealous of Harry? Angie had spent so much of her childhood shoved to the side in favor of her brothers, and Celeste knew she was guilty of that, too. She slid an arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “Come on. Cal should be here soon. Let’s talk about your career. You know I wouldn’t mind having you at Beaumont Oil.”
The smile on her daughter’s face was worth everything. She let her worries go as the door came open again and Cal walked in.
Her little family was all right. It was all she could hope for.
chapter twelve
Harry watched from the doorway to Luc’s room as Sera kissed her son’s head and placed him in his bed.
“Hey, is it okay if he stays in here?” He gestured down to Shep, who had been sitting quietly at her feet while she read Luc a bedtime story and sang a song to help him sleep. It had been a soft moment that he’d wanted to be a part of, but he’d hung back because she’d given him a lot tonight.
Shep had been patiently waiting at the door when they’d come back from dinner. Delphine had told them the dog had watched at the window until they’d returned.
“I don’t think I can keep him away. These two are in love,” she said with a smile.
Shep’s tail thumped softly against the floor in agreement.
“’Night, buddy,” Harry said, giving the dog a pat before he held out his hand. It was time to take Sera to bed, to wrap his arms around her and show her this could work.
She turned the light off, the room illuminated only by the small nightlight that cast a soft glow. She stepped up to him, and she was so lovely his heart seemed to tighten. “Did I thank you for dinner?”
It hadn’t been a particularly romantic affair, but it had been one of the best nights he’d had in forever. Her hand slid into his and he tugged her out to the hallway. “I had the best company, so I think I should be the one thanking you.”
She closed the door with her free hand and went up on her toes to brush her lips against his.
He backed her up against the wall, his hands going to her hips. “I loved our evening, Sera. I loved spending time with Luc. I loved seeing this side of you. You’re a good mom.”
She teared up slightly. “Sometimes it’s nice to hear that. It can be hard. I get judged a lot. I always have to worry if I’m giving him what he needs.”
“You’re giving him everything he needs,” he said, brushing his lips over her forehead. “He’s a happy, healthy kid, and now he’s got a sixty-pound furry ex-military bodyguard who works for pets and kibble.”
“Well, I kind of like having my own ex-military guy,” she said with a hint of a smile.
There was a noise at the end of the hall and she started. Delphine walked by in a fluffy bathrobe, her hair up in a towel. “Don’t mind me. I’m going down for some tea. ’Night, kids.”
Sera had gone stiff. “’Night, Momma.”
Maybe she wasn’t ready for this. He backed up. “Hey, you know you don’t actually owe me anything, right? I can go to my room at Beaumont House and be back here bright and early to pick up my dog and maybe have some breakfast with you. I’ll bring the donuts. I had a wonderful time tonight and that’s all I need.”
Her shoulders relaxed again and she reached for his hand. “I want my sleepover. I’m sorry. It’s weird. I live with my mom. I feel like you should be sneaking into my window. I’ve never had a man stay over.”
Soon she would have other options. “You know when we