I doubt I will, after the dunking you gave him. But don't worry, Nathaniel, I can handle Baxter.
Off with his head,
Bird suggested, but Nathaniel didn't smile.
It's not a matter of what you can handle.
He pushed the door open, stepped
outside.
Maybe you don't figure that last night gives me the right to look out for you and your boy, but I do. I will. So we'll put it this way.
He opened the car door
for her.
Either you promise me that you'll tell me, or I go after him now.
She started to protest, but the image, absolutely vivid, of the look on Nathaniel's face when he'd rammed Baxter against the wall stopped her.
You would.
Bank on it.
She tried to separate annoyance from the simple pleasure of being protected. And couldn't.
I want to say I appreciate the concern, but I'm not sure I do. I've been taking care of myself, and of Kevin, for a long time.
Things change.
Yes,
she said carefully, wondering what was behind those calm, unblinking gray eyes.
I'm more comfortable when they change slowly.
I'm doing my best to keep at your pace, Meg.
Whatever frustrations he had, he
told himself, he could handle.
Just a simple yes or no on this'll do.
It wasn't just herself, Megan thought. There was Kevin. And Nathaniel was offering them both a strong, protecting arm. Pride meant nothing when compared to the welfare of her son.
Not at all sure why she was amused, she turned to him once he'd settled into the driver's seat.
You have an uncanny knack for getting your own way. And when you do, you just accept it as inevitable.
It usually is.
He backed out of the drive and headed for Shipshape.
There was a small greeting party waiting for them. Holt and, to Megan's surprise, her brother, Sloan.
I dropped the kids off at The Towers, Holt told her, before she could ask.
They've got your dog, Nate.
Thanks.
She'd barely stepped from the car when Sloan grabbed her by the shoulders, stared hard into her eyes.
Are you ail right? Why the hell didn't you call me? Did he put his hands on you?
I'm fine. Sloan, I'm fine.
Instinctively she cupped his face, kissed him.
I didn't
call because I already had two white knights charging into battle. And he may have put his hands on me, but I put my fists on him. I think I split his lip.
Sloan said something particularly foul about Du-mont and hugged Megan close.
I
should have killed him when you first told me about him.
Stop it.
She pressed her cheek to his.
It's over. I want it put aside. Kevin's not to hear about it. Now come on, I'll drive you back to the house.
I've got some things to do.
He gave Nathaniel a steely stare over Megan's shoulder.
You go on up, Meg. I'll be along later.
All right, then.
She kissed him again.