will keep him amused for a while. Tomorrow night, I will be working on a project somewhere remote, so don’t fret if you can’t get a hold of me. Your father has protective tendencies, and he is not quite ready to handle all of the women in his life creating trouble at one time. We must ease him into us causing trouble together, all right?”
“I am game for causing trouble. I’m very good at causing trouble. It’s one of my best skills.”
Quinn heaved a sigh and bowed his head. “It really is.”
“Since you missed that, my husband is coming to terms with just how honest I was by making that statement. But he acknowledged I am skilled in causing trouble.”
“Poor Samuel.” My mother laughed. “Please don’t worry if you can’t get a hold of me or your father. Your father is fretting, and when he frets, he spends every one of his moments where his light shines on you trying to mitigate the fates he dislikes. I told him you are his daughter, and it would take a lot more than some stupid human to do anything truly harmful to you. Just be a good girl and go to that place in Maine tomorrow and then go to Long Lake the day after, and plan to reach Long Lake in the morning hours. That should work best for what your father is trying to arrange.”
“Okay. We can do that.”
“Bring your darling pets with you, but leave the kitten in the SUV. Your puppies will be most important.”
“And you say my father tries to meddle,” I teased.
“I am so much better at protecting things than he is. It is my purpose. I’m merely doing exactly what I should. Oh. That reminds me. Your father is quite upset over those mortals.”
I sighed. “Remind my father that my husband’s uncle has been making preparations for them, and if he wants to be involved, that’s a good way to go about it. They’re digging their own graves, so it’s all right to just leave them be. I can handle those idiots myself.”
“Yes, you can. Good girl. In case your father doesn’t remember to call you tomorrow because of his scheming ways, we both love you. Now, I have more dumpsters to explore, for surely there are more animals out this time of night. And I might even adopt one just to drive your father a little closer to the edge of his sanity.”
My mother hung up, and I giggled. “She’s seeking out dumpsters so she can rescue animals, Sam.”
“Yes, she was trying to do that yesterday, too. I’m surprised you dove right in on calling her your mother.”
“She’s nice. It was easier than I thought. Because she’s nice. I figured I’d dive right into the awkward first daughter-mother conversation, but it wasn’t awkward at all.”
The waiter came, and my husband sighed, gave me his menu, and told me to pick for him, else we’d never eat dinner. Giggling, I went with my first plan, ordering him the kind of salad he enjoyed with seared tuna while I had a shameful number of tiger shrimp, one of which I’d save for him. I ordered us a cup of lobster bisque and a bowl of clam chowder each before ordering their most elaborate seafood feast for two. I ordered a pot of tea for myself so I’d feel fancy, and with a chuckle, my husband requested the same.
Once the waiter left, I raised a brow at him. “Tea?”
“I should ask the same, Bailey. You asked for tea, and you asked for it in such a way to lead me to believe you are excited to be receiving minty grass. Should I be concerned?”
“My coffee is better, I recently had my coffee, and I’d sulk if I had to drink inferior coffee. Anyway, I didn’t order minty grass. I ordered spicy grass I plan to add sugar and cream to. It’s like a dessert to go with my sea bug feast. I’m excited. You get to try something new, and I get to eat sea bugs!”
“I’m concerned the sea bugs will rise up and try to feast on me.”
“You’ll be okay. My mother said you’re not allergic, so you can eat without fear. She thinks one of the Quinn brides, at some point, was allergic to seafood, and gorgons are obsessive compulsive.”
“Gorgons really are, especially when it comes to the health and safety of a bride. Huh. I wonder who is allergic. Or was.”
“We’ll call your grandfather