Mike glanced at Jonathon. “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
MIKE WAS in his favorite place in all the world: in bed with Jonathon, his chest against Jonathon’s back, his arms around him. The sheet had been kicked off because of the night heat, and a breeze wafted over their bodies from the open window.
“Can I ask you something?” Jonathon sounded half-asleep.
“The last time you said that, it ended up with us deciding we were going to be parents. I’m not sure I can take another conversation like that,” Mike joked.
“This week, while Abi’s been looking after the pub… have you missed it?”
Mike hadn’t expected that. “Why do you ask?”
“Because Janet asked me last weekend what you would do once we were married, and I didn’t know. I suppose it’s something we need to discuss.”
“Do you want me to sell the pub?”
“God, no!” Jonathon sounded astonished. “You love that pub.”
Mike wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. The idea of traveling with Jonathon really appealed to him, especially as he’d hardly ever left the country. He’d envied Jonathon’s lifestyle prior to living at the manor, and he knew Jonathon was keen to carry on with his photography.
“I rather like the idea of being married to a world-famous photographer,” he mused.
“Even when that means your husband goes off all around the world?”
“Well, now. Will my husband want to go alone?”
Jonathon became so still in his arms. “Are you saying…?”
“I didn’t really give you an answer before, but I’m giving one now. Yes, I’ll go with you, but only until the baby is born. And we’ve no idea when that might be.”
“And after that?”
Mike chuckled. “After that, both of us are going to have our hands full. That might be the time to consider selling the pub. Because I don’t know about you, but I want more than one child.”
Jonathon let out a long, contented sigh. “Me too.” He wriggled until he was facing Mike, his arms around Mike’s neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”
“I hate to throw a spanner in the works, but there’s the not-so-small matter of your dad. We have to tell him of our plans. Wedding, surrogacy…. And sooner rather than later.”
Jonathon sighed. “You’re right. I’ll invite him to stay next weekend. We have to do this face-to-face.”
“Surely if he sees how happy you are, that will mean something to him.”
Jonathon snorted. “Are we talking about the same man?” Then warm lips pressed against Mike’s, and he lost himself in a slow, intimate kiss, Jonathon molding his body to Mike’s. Jonathon broke the kiss. “Let’s forget about my father, wedding plans, and murders. Let’s leave it all outside our bedroom door.” He rolled onto his back, taking Mike with him, wrapping his long legs around Mike’s waist. “Make love to me.”
Mike sighed. “I got it wrong. I thought my favorite place to be in the world was in bed with you, but that’s actually my second-favorite.”
“So where’s your first?”
Mike kissed him, then brushed his lips against Jonathon’s ear. “Inside you.”
Chapter Seventeen
JONATHON PLACED his napkin on the table. “I guess the girls are having a lie-in this morning.”
Mike snorted. “In other words, Clare is making the most of the four-poster bed. You remember how much she raved about it the last time they stayed?”
Jonathon laughed. “I’ll let Ivy know we’re not quite done with breakfast yet.” He cocked his head to one side. “What are your plans for today?”
Mike chuckled. “What you really want to know is, do I intend working in the pub, or will I be staying with you so we can do some more sleuthing under the nose of DI Gorland?”
“We-ell, I was going to pay Paul Drake a visit, and I thought you might want to come with me.”
Mike said nothing, but it didn’t take a genius to know what was going on in his head.
“I don’t want to think him capable of murder either,” Jonathon admitted quietly. “But I need to know if there’s any truth to this story about his wife disappearing.”
“I’m just afraid of the fallout.”
Jonathon frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, that if you ask Paul about this, there’s the chance you could really offend him, especially if there’s nothing to the rumors.”
“And you’d lose a good customer,” Jonathon concluded.
“Exactly. So this is going to require a lot of tact and diplomacy.” Mike gave him a hard stare. “Think you can pull that off?” The twitch of his lips belied the serious question.
Jonathon gave a mock gasp. “I’m mortified to think you’d doubt me.” He smirked. “I was more worried about you, charging in there with your size elevens.”
Mike gaped. “How dare you? I’ll have you know my feet are a dainty size nine.” He grinned. “And don’t worry. I’ll be the soul of tact.”
Jonathon gave that last remark the reaction it deserved—an eye roll.
PAUL LEANED over the rail and scratched the pig’s back with a stick. “That’s it, Bella. Eat it all up. Gotta feed those babies.”
“Those piglets are really cute,” Mike admitted, watching the tiny animals running around the pen.
Paul huffed. “I try not to think of ’em like that. Hard to send them off to….” He lowered his voice. “You-know-where, when you’re attached to them.” He handed Mike the stick. “If you scratch her belly, she’ll gradually fall over. She loves it.”
Mike glanced across at Jonathon. “Don’t look. I remember how you were with Maisie.”
Paul snickered. “Oh yeah.” He peered at Jonathon. “I was surprised you didn’t turn vegetarian after that.” He straightened. “So wanna tell me what you’re doing here? Not that I mind. I don’t get many visitors.” He arched his eyebrows. “I’m assumin’ whatever brought you here couldn’t wait until pub time.”
“We got talking with some Teresa Malvain fans,” Jonathon began, “and—”
Paul let out a derisive snort. “I dunno what people see in her books. Mind you, I never could stand that Miss Marple. Always pokin’ her nose into murders. And the way someone always ends up dead when she’s around. I swear, if I turned up someplace and she was there, I’d turn right around and get the hell out.”
“Have you ever read any of Teresa’s books?” Mike inquired.
Paul cackled. “Yeah, right. When I’m not taking care of this little lot, I’m in the pub. When do I have time to read?”
“Then you haven’t heard the rumors?” Jonathon widened his eyes. “I was really shocked.”
“Rumors? What about?” Paul shook his head. “When is there not a rumor circulatin’ in Merrychurch?”
“Well, about you,” Mike said frankly.