took him to his room and put him to bed.”
The energy required for him to touch or hold items, even tiny game pieces or cards, took its toll on him. Exhaustion always sent him back wherever it was ghost boys went to recharge. Maybe he would return in a better mood.
“Thanks for letting me know.” I waved, and she ducked out again. “That’s one less worry.”
The patience required to deal with a miffed poltergeist would cost us time we didn’t have just now.
“I’m your huckleberry while we’re in the field,” Lethe informed me, getting back down to business. “Fight me on this, and I will drink all the milk and force you to choke down any leftover cake dry.”
“I was going to ask you to stick close.” I scowled at her. “But then you had to go and threaten me.”
“I’ll stay with Grier.” Linus eased me onto my feet. “Lethe, if you and Hood could secure the grounds once we arrive, I would appreciate it. You’re not overly familiar with the property, but perhaps you can pick out scents that don’t belong.”
“That I can do.” She winked at me. “I was teasing about the milk anyway. The girls already drank it all.”
Evil cackles followed her out the door, and I considered asking Woolly to zap her furry butt with the wards when she shifted out there to get a head start on us.
“I’ll put in a grocery order.” Neely chuckled. “I’ll add some chocolate milk too, so you won’t get cleaned out next time.”
“Thanks.” I shuffled toward the bathroom. “Give me a second, and I’ll be ready to go.”
“These days,” he teased, “you’re always ready to go.”
Narrowing my eyes on him, I noticed Cruz watching with bemusement, and my curiosity bubbled over without consulting my brain.
“Why are you in such a good mood?” I rubbed the small of my back. “You’re being…” I rolled my hand, “…nice.” No, that wasn’t it exactly. “To me.”
Neely chortled at his husband’s rapid descent into his grumpy with Grier default setting.
“What?” I glanced between them. “It’s weird. I can’t tell if I like it.”
The story he shared with me earlier, about his mother, must have come up his throat like broken glass.
“We have news,” Neely confessed. “We didn’t want to share it yet. This is your day. Not ours.”
“Are you serious right now?” I beamed at him. “Your happiness is my happiness.”
Plus, the way this day was going, I could take all the good news I could get.
Teeth sawing his bottom lip, he wavered. “Are you sure?”
“Tell her.” Cruz slid his arm around Neely. “You’ve been dying to for weeks.”
Ready for him to spill, I urged, “Listen to the man.”
“We’re having a baby,” Neely squealed. “We’re going to be fathers.”
“Are you serious?” I swayed on my feet. “When? How? When?”
“Three months.” He hopped up and down. “We’re adopting a little girl.”
“She’s two years old,” Cruz added, “and potty trained.”
I starched my spine to keep from melting over his obvious pride. “That’s amazing.”
“I wanted a baby,” Neely confessed, “but this girl…” He placed a hand over his heart. “She invited me to play Barbies with her, and she didn’t care that they were second- or third- or fourth-hand donations, but she was insulted the other kids had mismatched their clothes.” He squeezed Cruz. “She’s a brilliant fashionista at two. Can you imagine when she gets older? Our baby girl will rule the school.”
“I’m so happy for you guys.” I toddled over and wrapped Neely in a hug. “You’ve mentioned adoption, but I didn’t realize you were ready for that step.” Cruz being Cruz shook my hand and considered it done. “Really, this is fantastic. Do you have pictures?”
“Not yet.” Neely sighed. “We’re not allowed to share until it’s finalized.”
“They won’t let us take pictures with her or of her in case…” Cruz didn’t finish when Neely deflated. “We can visit her every week until then. That helps.”
“They won’t let us bring her a new doll or doll clothes.” Neely leaned against Cruz. “I get why, but I hate it. She has the most beautiful natural hair, just this halo around her head, and her skin is a few shades darker than Cruz’s. All the dolls are white with blonde hair, which I understand. They can’t be picky about donations, but I just want to—”
“—give her the world,” Cruz finished for him. “That’s why you’re going to be great at this.”
“You’re my husband. It’s in the husband handbook that you have to say that.” He glanced