Remi and Katlin greeted them both but asked to speak to Cain alone. There was something going on, but it wasn’t the time for Emma to question Cain about it. Emma turned her attention to Abigail and Dallas. Both appeared happy to be getting away, but Emma saw how Dallas looked at the kids running around as well as the baby Carmen was holding.

“Marriage first, my friend. Then you can start planning that family I know you want,” she mock-whispered to Dallas, and Abigail laughed.

“Are you sure you want some of these wild things in your house?” Abigail asked.

“As many as I can talk Remi into.”

It hit Emma then what Cain must think at times. All this they had, how easy would it be to lose? What would happen when the enemies at their gates decided they had to pay for the slights they’d thought Cain had committed against them?

“You okay?” Abigail asked.

“I think I need a vacation,” she said, and Dallas put her arm around her.

“While our partners are talking about whatever it is they run off and talk about, how about a girls’ night of wine and gossip?” Dallas suggested.

Emma tapped her finger against her lips and nodded. “That sounds like a great idea. We might as well get used to each other’s company. We’re the only ones we can trust to keep our secrets.” And that was true. Her mother might not have understood family and loyalty, but Emma did.

“Count me in,” Abigail said, lifting her hand. The move made Dallas whistle.

“Man, have you been holding out on us,” Dallas said, grabbing Abigail’s hand and studying the diamond ring. “You have some explaining to do, Miss Abigail.”

“Fin proposed yesterday, and I accepted. We also want to talk to Muriel about Fin adopting my three.” Abigail sounded like she’d won the happiness lottery.

“You can say plenty about our partners, ladies, but damn if they all don’t have great taste in jewelry,” Emma said and hugged Abigail. “Congratulations, honey, and welcome to the family. Cain and I will be happy to throw you as big a party as we’re planning for my pal here.”

“Thank you,” Abigail said, gladly accepting Emma’s hug, then Dallas’s. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe Fin is real, but she’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“And I can tell by how she looks at you that she feels the same way. It’s going to be a long night of wine and gossip if this is where we start,” she said and laughed. Her thoughts, though, were on the other room and Cain.

✥ ✥ ✥