Here’s the Thing (Seddledowne #4)

Chapter 20 – Tally

twenty

TALLY

A man would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from; and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of her regard, must, I think, be the happiest of mortals.

— JANE AUSTEN

T he smell of crab was strong as the waitress filled Lemon’s water glasses. “Your food should be out shortly.”

I glanced up and caught Christy watching me again. Her gaze flashed away. Ever since we’d told everyone we were getting married, she’d been off. Giving me sideways glances, watching me a little too long. I smiled and her gaze skittered away. Weird. Then again, all the Duprees had been watching me. I was pretty sure they thought I was going to run.

Ford slid a folder of papers across the table to Silas. “Can you pass that to Ashton? I need him to sign the lease contract for the house,” he grumbled. “Freaking ridiculous.”

“It’s not ridiculous,” Ashton said dryly. “I’m a grown man who needs to provide for his family.”

“I don’t need your money,” Ford said.

Ashton rolled his eyes, took the folder from Silas, and started reading the rental agreement.

The rhythmic crash of waves in the distance was making me sleepy.

“You don’t need to read it,” Ford said. “Just sign it and give it back to me. My lawyer got it all squared away.” He winked at Holden.

Ashton held up a finger, reading every line.

Across the table, Blue looked like he was right there with me. His eyes had fluttered and flown open at least four times in the last five minutes.

Holden, who was sitting next to him, grabbed the arm of his chair and shook it. “Wake up, Blue. It’s beach week.”

Blue chuckled and stretched. “Sorry, y’all. Too much work and not enough play lately.”

Ashton sat up suddenly and looked at Ford. “Nice try, bro.” He shoved the agreement back, unsigned. I snickered. Over the past few weeks, Ford had tried inside out and upside down to get Ashton’s signature on the deed of the little house. From saying he needed a witness on a songwriting contract, to a charity donation, to a surprise home warranty.

Ashton narrowed his gaze at Holden. “Why do you keep enabling him with these ridiculous ruses, dingus?”

Holden held his hands up abdicating himself. “He’s paying me by the hour.”

Ford threw his hands up. “Just take the Dad-blamed house. I don’t need any money. It’s a wedding gift.”

Ashton folded his arms across his chest. “No. I’m paying rent and I’ll buy it as soon as I can get a loan. ”

Ford slouched in his chair and folded his arms grumpily.

Silas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. Lemon shifted with him, her hand immediately going to his back to trace circles along his shoulders. “You ready for training camp?” Silas asked Blue.

I turned when I felt Ashton watching me. Again. The wedding was in two days and he thought I was going to high-tail it like Julia Roberts. He’d never said that, but it was painfully obvious. The worry in his eyes, the stiff lines of his face. The way his knee wouldn’t stop bouncing.

I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Not going anywhere, Ash,” I murmured.

“Okay,” he said but his tone was nervous.

I turned to face him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

I tilted my head.

He closed his eyes for a moment. “I have a sick feeling like you’re going to disappear.”

I looked him right in the eye. “I’m not. I promise. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”

The tension in his face eased. “Okay.” He relaxed in his chair and I laid my head on his shoulder.

“So, lovebirds, with all the whirlwind of changes, why not add one more and come out to the world about Spy vs Sigh ?” Christy’s eyes twinkled. “Maybe they’ll make it into a movie. Maybe you’ll be richer than Ford.”

Ashton swore under his breath.

“Um, what?” Ford snapped. “What is happening?”

“Chris.” Holden groaned.

“What? What did I do?” She slunk down looking guilty.

Ford’s gaze flashed around the table of kid-free adults. Jenny, Bo, and Mom were at the beach house, watching the littles. Everyone looked as guilty as Christy.

“Are you serious?” Ford glowered at Ashton. The hurt in his eyes gutted me. I’d tried to talk Ashton into telling him, but he wouldn’t. He said if Ford knew, the whole world would know. “You’re the authors of Spy vs Sigh and everyone knew but me?”

Now Christy swore. “Sorry,” she whispered at us. “I thought you told him…” She waved her hand. “Everything.”

“No,” Holden said softly. “They only told him about Theo and Charlie.”

Her head dropped into her hands. “I can’t keep up with it all.”

Ford leaned forward, elbows on the table as his gaze tried to light Ashton on fire. “Seriously? What the Hades ?” Then he stood up, kicking his chair back, his jaw pulsing with irritation.

Ashton sighed. “I love you, bro, but you have a proclivity for not respecting people’s wishes. And Tally and I want to do this without people connecting our last name to yours.”

“I wish you’d stop punishing me for what I did to her.” Ford jammed his hand toward Anna and Blue. “They wouldn’t be together if it weren't for me.”

Blue’s head bobbed. “He’s not wrong.”

Anna looked like she wanted to hide behind her husband.

I reached for Ashton’s hand. He squeezed, calming my nerves.

“Just because it worked out once,” Ashton said as carefully as a bomb disposal expert selecting wires to cut. “Doesn’t mean you should make a habit of it. And the safest way not to be tempted is if there’s no temptation.”

“Sometimes,” Ford spat. “You have to help people along. Sometimes , they don’t know what’s good for them.”

“That’s their decision to make,” Ashton said. “Not yours.”

They stared each other down for a few tense seconds before Ford stormed away. He darted between the tables of dinner guests and down onto the sand.

“Hey, I think that’s Ford Dupree!” A teenage girl squealed as he strode by.

Silas and Holden stared at Ashton, lips pursed. Jenny had just gushed to us all last night about how well her boys were getting along.

“Sorry,” Christy said again.

“It’s not your fault.” Ashton rubbed his hands down his thighs and stood, following after Ford.

The waitress showed up with two waiters carrying our tray of food. I waited a moment for Ashton to return but he was still trailing behind Ford as they disappeared into the distance.

I laid a napkin over his food, hoping to trap in some of the heat.

Anna took a bite of a scallop. “I can’t,” she whispered to Blue, her face ghost white. "I can’t.” She spit it into the napkin, looking like she was going to vomit. Anna loved scallops. Loved.

My jaw dropped. "You're pregnant.” I squealed.

Everyone’s head turned.

Blue snickered as he rubbed her back.

“Anna?” Silas asked, sitting up straight. “You’re pregnant?”

Lemon’s eyes glistened.

Anna nodded, forcing a smile. “With twins.” Before anyone could react, she shot to her feet and took off.

Everyone looked at Blue. “She’s going to the bathroom to throw up.”

It was chaos after that. Lemon took off to help Anna. The rest of us lined up to give Blue congratulatory hugs.

When it was my turn I whispered in his ear, “Congrats, Dad. ”

“Thanks,” he said. “Maybe you can give us some pointers.”

A few minutes later Anna and Lemon returned. Lemon hugged Blue so tight. Once we were seated, and the waitress brought a basket of bread for her, Anna glanced over at me. “Sorry to steal your thunder. We were going to wait to tell everyone after you were on your honeymoon.”

I laughed. “Don’t apologize. This is the best wedding present ever.”

She smiled. “Thanks, friend.”

“I think we need a picture to capture the moment.” I reached into my purse.

But when I pulled the phone out of my bag, there was a text that would change my life forever.

Mom: Just got the news that Trevor is out of jail. I’m so sorry, Tally girl.