Chad as each of the couples made their way to their rooms. Chad put his arm around her. “You’re sure you don’t miss Guardian?”
She turned to look at him. “I’m positive. I wouldn’t change a thing about my life. You and Chloe are everything to me.”
Chad lowered his lips to hers. “Have you told anyone yet?”
“No, we haven’t been to the doctor.”
“The home pregnancy test confirmed what we both knew.”
Jasmine smiled. “And here I was trying to convince myself I had the flu.”
“I knew. Your body was changing.” He pulled her against him. “You’ll be seven months pregnant when we finish the overseas leg of the tour.”
“I will be. But with you taking six months off between the overseas and U.S. dates, we can go home, I’ll nest, and we can both relax before he or she arrives.”
“Our mothers are going to be over the moon.”
“Like you aren’t?”
“I am. I think we should tell them.”
“When?”
“I’ll let the guys know on the fishing trip. You let the women know at your spa day.”
“That’s an awesome Christmas gift.”
Chad nodded. “Hopefully, your brother doesn’t sink the ship.”
Jasmine chuckled. “Joseph wouldn’t kill family. He might make you wish you were dead…”
“I was not in on the ‘Take Over Joseph’s Vacation’ game.” Chad chuckled and stood, grabbing his guitar with one hand and offering the other to her.
“And yet, here we are.” She stood and chuckled when Chad sighed dramatically.
“Well, it isn’t often we get to be with all your family at the same time. I thought it was an outstanding idea, especially since everyone said they could come down.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you.” He lifted his hand. “See, I’m holding the moon and the stars in my hand for you.” Chad halted.
He hummed a tune and looked down at her. She smiled and nodded into the house. “Your notebook is in the bedroom.” She held his hand as they walked through the maze of Joseph’s home. She listened as the music quietly flowed from her man. She’d spend the night listening to him write the song that was growing in his mind. It never got old. Her husband’s talent and ability amazed her. His love and devotion to his family had put his career firmly in second place, but his talent didn’t know that. The songs and music flowed through his fingertips and filled their life. A perfect melody to accompany a lifetime together.
Chapter 12
“All right, he’s almost out of time. Do you think it will be today?” Adam stood beside Jacob on the dock as they watched the others getting onto the yacht.
He shook his head. “What is he going to do? Blow up the boat? He’s been the perfect host.” Not that they’d seen much of each other except for the elaborate dinners that happened every night. Tori and he had full days without the kids. He’d made love to his wife slowly. Which, with four boys and busy lives, didn’t happen as much as either of them would like. They’d decided to make time for long weekend getaways to reconnect and restoke the fires.
“That’s what scares me.”
Jacob snorted.
“Screw you, Skipper. I’m not stupid, that man has plans. He’s going to get us back, I just don’t know how. This is a nice boat.”
“She’s a ship.” The voice from behind them spun them both.
“Dan?” Jacob stuck out his hand. “What the fuck are you doing in Aruba?”
“Well, Joseph is my boss.” The dumb shit went without saying. Smoke clamped Jacob on the shoulder and laughed. “We’re on downtime. Charley, my partner, helped me get her down here but flew out to New York to visit family. I’m making a run to the airport tomorrow night to retrieve my partner from the city that never sleeps.”
“What have you been doing? You’re no longer partnered with Sage?”
“Nope, he had to punch. Family issues. And I haven’t been doing much, bumming around, getting a tan, waiting to take y’all out fishing. This is a friendly island. Love the people here. Has everyone boarded?” Smoke took off his hat and pushed his hair out of his face.
Adam blinked and did a double-take. “I think so… Hey, you know you look a hell of a lot like––”
“Yeah, I get that a lot.” Smoke laughed and perched his cap back on his hair. “We have a full galley and I have the frozen drinks spinning. Let’s get this party barge moving!” He strode down the dock and Adam looked from him to Jacob.
“That man is the spitting