Reckless In Love (The Maverick Billionaires #2)(77)
One kiss and her heart was galloping like her stallions. “There are youngsters here.” Her smile ruined the effect of her teasing admonition.
“They can watch and learn, then.” His grin was bigger than hers as he put his arm around her, guiding her to the backyard. She loved the sweetness of it, the ease of his touch, his smile, as if they’d been together forever.
Outside, Daniel had set up canopies for some shade. Thank goodness there was a decent breeze to cool down the warm afternoon. Susan waved an arm at her. “Charlie, I’ve saved you a seat.” There was only one deck chair available next to her.
“You okay with this?” Sebastian asked Charlie softly.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because Susan clearly wants to grill you on everything we’ve said and done—and probably on when you’re going to commit to having my firstborn.”
“Trust me, I’m going to grill her right back about you.”
He looked a little shell-shocked at her return volley. She grabbed a slice of pizza and a soda, then took the seat Susan offered. Heck, she felt kind of shell-shocked herself. She hadn’t thought much about marriage or a family, but having kids with Sebastian sounded so good...as did everything that came with it, including his ring on her finger.
“Lord, that sun is bright,” Susan said from behind an oversized pair of sunglasses. “Daniel tells me he’s going to build a deck and lay in a drought-resistant garden, front and back, with drip watering.” She scuffed her shoe in the dirt and lowered her voice. “I know it’s impractical out here, but I do love a nice green lawn.”
Still stunned by the vision of herself in a long white dress, walking down a rose-strewn aisle toward Sebastian, the best response Charlie could come up with was, “Me too.”
Despite Sebastian’s threat, Susan didn’t pry at all. She simply asked about Charlie’s work and then talked about her boys. Her deep, abiding love for every one of them shone in her voice, her smile, and the softness of her gaze. They were all her sons, not just Daniel, and each of them had special qualities. She clearly loved her daughter no less.
“Lyssa is traveling through Europe on her own.” Susan said. “She’s so adventurous. I’m not sure I could have done anything like that when I was her age. And I certainly couldn’t do it now.”
“Of course you could. Just imagine.” Charlie closed her eyes dreamily. “You and Bob floating through Venice on a gondola.” It was so easy to picture the scene with Sebastian at her side.
Susan laughed. “Bob would get seasick.”
“How about drinking wine with fresh bread and cheese at a Tuscan villa?” She could easily while away the hours with that divine daydream.
“I’m lactose and gluten intolerant.”
Charlie stared at Susan’s straight face for three seconds, then said, “Maybe you shouldn’t eat the pizza.”
Susan laughed heartily, from deep in her belly all the way to her eyes. “I like you, Charlie—you let me joke around.”
“I like you too.” Especially because you took in Sebastian when he badly needed a family to love him. Thank you for being there for him, Susan.
Just then, little Noah let out a squeal of delight from across the yard. “Isn’t he a doll?” Susan’s face turned mushy with love.
Matt’s son was incredibly cute as he drove a toy dump truck through the dirt. With the help of Paige and Ariana, the young woman who worked for Daniel, Noah loaded his truck, though he appeared to be getting more dirt on himself than in the toy. “You go, Noah,” Sebastian called out. “Fill up that truck with all the rocks so your Uncle Daniel doesn’t have to move them later on. They’re too heavy for him.” He scooted quickly out of range of Daniel’s elbow.
“Sebastian’s going to make a wonderful father someday,” Susan said.
“Yes, he will.” Sebastian would love any kid he had with everything in him.
“Speaking of family, I’m sorry about your mother’s health. Sebastian has mentioned her more than once.” Susan’s gray eyes were misty with empathy. “Being in pain all the time must be terrible, and so hard for you to watch.”
“Thank you for your kindness.” Charlie smiled softly, though she stiffened slightly, nervous that Susan might add in her two cents about letting Sebastian do more. “It is hard, but Mom’s always upbeat.”
“Your mother’s new home sounds lovely. You’re Sebastian’s hero, with your dedication to caring for her. As busy as you are, I’m amazed you still manage to visit twice a week.”
Charlie shot a look at Sebastian. He’d told Susan all the good stuff and none of the bad. He hadn’t said that Charlie was hesitant about the doctors he’d found or that she wouldn’t take his money to help with Magnolia Gardens. Had he really called her his hero?
“Sebastian bought Mom a lovely china tea set,” Charlie wanted Susan to know. “Will and Harper picked it out. That’s become part of her ritual too.”
“He’s a good boy.” Susan was quiet a moment before looking straight at Charlie. “I’m sure you’ve noticed that he thrives on helping.”
Charlie nodded. “He’s amazing with the people at his seminars and he’s been so nice to the kids this morning too.” Even if he hadn’t always stopped to let them learn by doing the work themselves.