“Uh-oh.” Token shakes his head. “It’s on.” His dark emeralds slide over to me as he places his elbows on the table. “Jaggs, now did I ever tell you about the first time Stone took a pee outside?”
“Nope, I don’t believe you have.” I smirk at Stone, who’s shaking his head at Token.
“Yeah, when he came in the house, Ma asked if his pants were wet, and he said ‘Nope, I peed on Moose. It was like I gave him a shower.’”
“Moose?”
“Our dog.” Token grins within his wide beard.
Stone shrugs. “Hey, at least I didn’t carry around a dead fly until Ma and Dad agreed to buy us a dog.”
“Oh, yes.” Olivia comes over, nodding. “It was very weird, Token. You gave us no choice. Especially after you took the dead fly with you to Jimmy Schmidt’s house. You set it on the table during dinner.”
Token points at Stone. “Yeah, well, while he was sitting on Santa Claus’s lap at the mall, he gave the photographer the finger. Ma still has the picture around here somewhere.”
“Oh-ho, I’d love to see it.” I laugh. Prior to these past few months, I didn’t know Stone had a funny or an innocent side to him.
“I was giving the finger to you,” Stone snaps back. “’Cause you told me I was getting coal.”
“Yeah. Well,” Crash interferes. “Ya know what these fuckers did to—”
“Hey, language.” Token points a sturdy finger at Crash, glancing at Olivia.
“These jerks,” Crash corrects, “did when I went to see Santa Claus? They told me he was really a girl.”
Nix bursts out, “Oh, yeah.” He pounds the table with his palm, roaring with laughter. “Didn’t you grab his balls? Oh, shit. I-I forgot all about that shit. Damn, that was funny.”
“Yes. That’s when Santa Claus started coming to the house.” Olivia walks over and sets her hand on Steele’s shoulder. “And that Santa Claus came equipped with one of those jockstraps you boys used to wear for sports.”
“Oh, damn!” Steele hollers, stealing a glance at Jay, his secret wife. Yeah, I know about it ’cause Stone told me. I guess he thought it was okay, ya know, considering I told him about me being pregnant. It’s like that tidbit of information opened an entire line of trust between us. He told me he loved me. I still can’t believe I’m carrying his child. I love it, knowing a part of a Kane is growing inside me, Stone’s baby. I love our child already and know he or she will be loved and cherished. I’ll never let the darkness touch our child. Never.
“Come to think of it.” Olivia smiles down at Steele. “It might’ve been one of yours.”
The entire table shakes with laughter. This is the Kane family I have come to love. This is the table I want to sit around for the rest of my life.
“Oh, man.” Nix snorts, pushing his glasses back up his nose. “You guys are something.”
“Us guys?” Stone’s head tilts, peering at Nix from the corner of his eye. “Need I remind you who took their goldfish out of the aquarium to watch TV with him for two hours?”
And again, the room fills with joyful laughter. The sound seems to warm me from the inside out.
“Poor fish.” Steele shakes his head. “That’s why I never asked you to watch Goldilocks when I’m away.”
“Yeah.” Stone nods. “He only trusts her with me.”
“Damn straight,” Steele says with a genuine smile, and the look exchanged between the two brothers brings a lump in my throat as I recall the last time they were together, when they were in my apartment, and what Stone told him about their biological mother. It looks like they’re going to be okay.
“All right.” Olivia claps her hands. “It’s time for the birthday wish bowl!” She moves over to the center island, pulls out the traditional turquoise ceramic bowl, and sets it down on the table. Tradition is you pick a wish from the bowl, and if you guess whose it is, you’re expected to get that person the gift on their birthday.
“Okay,” Token says in a loud, boisterous tone as he stands up from the table. “Before we start all of this birthday stuff, there’s something I’d like to say.” He pauses long enough to be sure he has everyone’s attention. He smiles at each of us, then stops at Harley, getting down on one knee in front of her. There are a couple of squeals, but nothing could tear my eyes away from my friend whose eyes are lit up with love and excitement.
Harley’s lake blue eyes widen. Her mouth gapes. Her hand touches her chest as she gazes down at Token. “You’re not, ah, Token—”
“Harley Redbourne, from the moment I saw you dancing on that damn bar, I was yours. You have brought so much good shit into my life, and well…” He lifts a small red box, opens it, and with slightly shaky fingers, holds the shiny, huge rock out to her. “What do ya say?”
It doesn’t take more than half a second for her to respond. “Yes!” Harley wraps her arms around him. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
There are a few coos as Olivia claps her hands and Mr. Kane nods with approval. Stone and I both watch as well. Stone squeezes my hand under the table, reminding me I am not alone. I am a part of this family. My heart swells with happiness, knowing I got to witness and be a part of one of this family’s unforgettable moments.
It takes a few minutes for all the hugs and congratulations. When I finally do get to my friend, happiness is shining through her brilliant blue eyes. I hug her tight, something I’ve never done in the past. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks,” Harley whispers into my ear. “I hope you don’t mind lilac because it’s the color of the dress you’ll be wearing as my maid of honor.” She pulls back, wiping tears from her face. “It’ll go perfect with your eyes.”
“I’d be honored, and I’ll wear whatever you want.” I laugh, hoping the wedding date isn’t for another seven months. Otherwise, I’ll look like a humungous faded blueberry and not a dainty elegant lilac.
“Even big poufy ruffles on your sleeves and ribbons in your hair?”
“Anything.” I smile, leaving no room for any sarcasm. Harley deserves this happiness.
“I’m so happy for you both!” Olivia wipes the tears from her face and grabs my friend for a hug. “Welcome to the family, Harley.”
Token sniffles hard, his chest rising and falling with the deep inhale. “Let’s get this wish bowl stuff over with so we can have some cake.” He sits down and pulls it toward him. Everyone follows suit, calming down and taking their seats.
“Oh, wait,” Harley says, picking up her purse. “I almost forgot.” She takes out a small gift wrapped in black and gold and holds it out to Stone. “Seeing as you weren’t here on your birthday for the past two years. Well, here ya go. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks.” He takes the gift and looks at it.
“Don’t be a schmuck, dude,” Token says. “Open the gift my soon-to-be wife gave you.”
Eyes on the gift, Stone rips the wrapping paper off and laughs. He lifts the 9-volt batteries and smiles at Harley. “You remembered.”
“I sure did. I picked it on Becca’s birthday when I first got here. Oh, I’m so glad to be a part of this family.” She tears up, waving her hand.
Token squeezes her shoulder. “Okay, time to get this party started.” He reaches into the bowl and pulls out a piece of paper. He opens it. “Oh, come on.” His huge shoulder drops. “Sorry, Ma. You’re gonna have to wait a little longer for this one.” He holds up the paper.
Olivia sits down, brows dent. “What?”
Token looks at the paper and looks at her. “A grandbaby?”
She smiles. “I already have two grandbabies, and yes, I want more, but that’s not my wish. So don’t worry, Token, you can put it back in the bowl.”
“Not yours?” Token asks.
“Nope.” Olivia’s dazzling green eyes slide over to Mr. Kane.
“I’m retired. I want more grandkids.” He crosses his arms over his chest.
�
�Sorry, Pops, but it ain’t coming from here.” He points at himself and Harley. “Not yet at least. Anyone else want to claim this wish for Pops.” He holds up the piece of paper.
Everyone glances at each other.
Stone looks at the paper and then at me. Oh no! Is he thinking to tell everyone now about our baby? Right here? We haven’t had a chance to…
“Okay,” Steele stands, saving me from deciding or responding to Stone’s eye nudge. “I can’t claim it, not right now, but Jay and I…” Steele casts a loving smile at his wife. “We wanted to let you all know we got married last month and…”
The room again bursts with excitement, followed by pats on the back and hugs.
“Alright!” Mr. Kane says. “I’m glad you all are getting married, are married, and have given me grandkids already, but who’s going to take this piece of paper and grant me my damn wish?”
Stone looks at me again, and my heart freezes in my chest. I open my mouth just as the front door bursts open.
“Lurlene!” Olivia jumps from the chair, and backing into the room with a gift in her hand, Stone’s little sister sets the present on the counter to take off her jacket. Olivia stops and slaps her hands on her face. “Well…” Olivia looks at Lurlene’s round belly and then turns to Mr. Kane. “I guess we know who’s going to grant you your gift now!”
“Oh, thank God,” I whisper, and Stone smiles at me.
“Don’t worry, babe.” He sets his hand under the table and places it on my stomach. “I want to enjoy our secret a little longer before we share it with the rest of the world, but I do have one question.” He leans in and whispers, “When’s the due date?”
“Oh-ho, no way.” I shake my head.
“Hey,” I hear Crash call out. “Lulu, when’s the due date?”
“No!” Steele jumps up from the chair. “Don’t say it.” He looks at Stone.
“What?” Stone’s shoulder lifts.
“Oh, man!” Crash gets up and waves his hands at Lulu. “Yeah, don’t let Stone know. Could you imagine what’ll happen if you’re late? He’ll show up in Manhattan and order your doctor to take the baby out!”
“I would not!” Stone protests. Then his head flips to me, eyes wide with awareness. “Oh, come on.” His voice lowers and head tilts. “You’re going to tell me when our baby is due, right? You don’t think I’d—”
I grimace and turn away with a smile, praying no one can hear our conversation.
“Come on, Jaggs.” Stone taps me on the hand. “I wouldn’t—”
“I put it to the test.” I hold my smile. Nodding around the room, I say under my breath, “Remember back in Fresno?”
“Yeah, but this is our baby and—”
“Sorry, honey.” I look at him and tap his cheek. “I love you, but this, I’m not budging on.”
“You love me?”
“Yes. Didn’t I mention that?”
“Never.”
“Well, I do.” I smile at the one Kane who I intend to marry and have many babies with, but Steele’s right, this Kane will never know our baby’s due date!
THE END
What Did You Think of STONE?
Thank you for purchasing STONE (Daring the Kane Brothers) I know you could have picked any number of books to read, but you picked this one and for that I am extremely grateful!!
If you enjoyed this book, I’d love to hear from you! I want you, the reader, to know that your review is very important and so, if you’d like to leave a review, you’re just a few clicks away!
Thanks again!
Have you met the Declan Brothers yet?
Start where it all began in Bayou Vista, Texas
When Rayna, Emmie, and Lulu dare to break the Declan Brothers
BREAKING THE DECLAN BROTHERS
JAX (book #1)
"Some boys can get rough, some don't always listen when you tell them to stop, and some boys, they're just monsters. You gotta be careful who you play with..." ~ Jax Declan
SLATE (book #1)
"Some boys will keep it, some will break it, and some boys, they just won't want it. You gotta be careful who you give your heart to..." ~ Slate Declan
ZEKE (book #3)
"Some guys call, some date, and some guys, they might even get married. But, sweetheart, I ain't any of those guys..." ~ Zeke Declan
Also by
KELLY GENDRON
DARING THE KANE BROTHERS
TOKEN
STEELE
CRASH
NIX
STONE
BREAKING THE DECLAN BROTHERS
JAX
SLATE
ZEKE
A TOUBLEMAKER NOVEL
Broken Fences
Favorite Places
Finder Fees
Lucky Numbers
Lost Wishes
From Siren Publishing:
Fatal Promise
From Red Sage Publishing:
The Forbidden Claim
The Risqué Target
Satisfying the Curse
STONE (Daring the Kane Brothers) Page 17