“You can’t just leave me here with her.”
“She’s harmless. Just keep your paws away from her.”
Siobhan wants to distribute the beer to a bigger market. I don’t know what will be more challenging. Convincing Abuelo to do it or King to be our distributor. And maybe what I need to do is buy this brewery from him and let her do whatever she wants with it.
“In the meantime, let’s check on your mom. I wouldn’t mind looking after you for the next eighteen years, but maybe it’s best if I’m just Uncle Iskander.”
“Kanne.”
“There you go, you’re getting close. Maybe we can try, Uncle?”
She turns, her face indignant. Okay, so that’s not the way to go.
ChapterThirty-Five
Siobhan
Twenty-four hours.
It’s been twenty-four hours since they hauled Anya to the operating room, and I haven’t heard anything from the doctors. Not only that, but Mitchell is also at the inn waiting for me. He wants to talk.
“What am I supposed to say?”
“Listen to him,” Iskander suggests. “If you want, we can call one of my brothers or Myka to come and look after Rumi, and I’ll go with you.”
“Have I asked you to stop being all understanding and swoony?”
He nods. “You did. I just don’t comprehend what that entails.”
Hiding a smile, I try to divert my gaze. But it’s almost impossible to disguise my latest discovery. I came to the realization that Iskander has always been attentive, loving, and in a way, I tried not to acknowledge it because if I did… well, obviously, I would be head over heels in love with him.
“You don’t offer to bring my favorite meal while I’m in the waiting room or help me take care of Rumi—when you don’t like children. Also, you don’t act like I’m the most important person in the world.”
I don’t mention how hot he looks carrying Rumi or when he’s playing with her. They like to build tall walls with blocks and then destroy them. Other times, he’s reading her books while I’m rocking her. It’s been only two days, and so far, they’ve bonded like a real uncle and niece would do.
It’s hard not to imagine how he’d be with his own children. Not that I want to… “Would you have a family?” I don’t know what makes me ask him that when I know the answer. Or at least I thought I did. “Like you know, a wife and children.”
He smirks, shaking his head slightly. It feels like he’s saying,this-woman-just-does-not-get-it.
“Sorry, it’s just that you two look adorable together,” I explain further. “Plus, I’ve noticed that children like you, even though you’re not a fan. It’ll be a waste of great father material if you remain childless, but it’s, of course, none of my business.”
“Are you going to marry me?”
I scoff, crossing my arms. “What’s with you, Cantú? I’m asking you if you’re going to have a family, and suddenly you’re… what, proposing?”
“If I was proposing, you’d know.” He winks at me. “It’s just a question. If you finally believe that I love you, then yes, I’ll want the whole enchilada. Wife, children, and even a dog.”
“A dog?”
He nods sharply. “A real one. Not one of those yappy little toy shits that Nando and Bri have.” Then he frowns. “I can’t believe that from everything I said, that’s the only thing you caught, the dog.”
“Stop saying that word.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Dog?”
“S. H. I. T.” I point at him. “I swear if she picks up on it I…” I don’t know how to finish that sentence.
His upper lip curls into a smile. “Why are you avoiding the subject?”