Secrets Never Die (Morgan Dane #5)(98)

The gate squeaked as Lance came into the yard. Morgan greeted him with a kiss, happy to note that his bruises were fading. He wrapped his arms around her, clasping his hands at her lower back.

“How did it go?” she asked.

“Very well.” He smiled down at her. “Evan was awake and joking with the team for a solid thirty minutes. He’s beginning to grieve Paul’s death, and he has some tough times ahead, but I think he’s going to make it. Tina talked about selling the house and moving. Evan convinced her to stay here. He wants to move back to their apartment in Scarlet Falls.”

“Do you think she’ll stay, long term?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed. “I don’t think she’s ready to make any long-term plans.”

Morgan turned to check on the girls. “If she does need to leave town, she has the means.”

“Not that she will admit it to us.”

“No.” Morgan tried to understand. Tina’s distrust ran back to her birth.

Lance tightened his grip around her waist, pulling their hips closer together. He was definitely fully recovered. “Now, tell me why the thought of planning our wedding always makes you sad.”

“Grandpa helped me work it out.” Morgan took a deep breath and began. “John and I had a formal church wedding. It doesn’t feel right for us to have the same.”

“Then we won’t.”

“You don’t mind doing something small and less traditional, maybe even fun? This is your first and hopefully only wedding.”

“I want to marry you. I’m not particular about how it happens, and I’m all for fun.” He kissed her again. “I have two people to invite, and there’s a very good chance one of them will attend via Skype.”

“We still need a location. With the house under construction, we can’t have it here.” Morgan’s mind whirled with possibilities.

“Is anything else bothering you?” He leaned back and studied her face.

“No.” Her mood felt lighter at the thought of planning a fun event.

“Promise that you’ll talk to me immediately if you’re sad again? Your grandfather is an awesome source of advice, but I want you to feel like you can tell me anything.”

“I will.” She nodded. But now she was looking forward to the planning. “What do you think about September?”

“I love September.” He kissed her again.

A squeal caught their attention. Sophie was racing across the grass to Lance.

Lance released Morgan and caught the leaping child in his arms.

“You’re always kissing Mommy,” Sophie said with just a hint of disgust.

“Yes, I am.” Lance leaned sideways and kissed Morgan again. Ava and Mia ran toward them. Panting and breathless, they hugged Lance around the legs.

Morgan smiled wide. “We should get married at Scarlet Lake. We could have a picnic on the beach.”

“That sounds perfect,” Lance said.

Excitement bubbled up in Morgan’s chest. “I’ll have to check with the parks department to see if we need a permit, but I doubt it will be a problem. I know other people have held private events at the lake.”

“My friend Emily had her birthday at the lake. She had a bouncy castle,” said Ava. “Can we get a bouncy castle?”

Mia clapped her hands. “Bouncy castle!”

“I wike ponies.” Sophie took Lance’s face in both hands and turned him to face her. “But no clowns. I don’t wike clowns.”

And Sophie’s lisp was back. She’d outgrow it eventually. But for now, Morgan was going to enjoy it.

Lance nodded. “I promise. There will be no clowns.”

Sophie nodded solemnly.

Morgan grinned. “It sounds like we’re going to have more of a carnival than a wedding.”

“I like carnivals.” Lance set Sophie down and tugged Morgan back into his embrace. “And as long as I get to marry you, I will be a happy man.”