Mel had recruited him to be a minion while at his office. She’d called, in a complete panic, at the speed of what had happened. He’d rarely seen Houghton’s wife so disconcerted. When he’d found out why, he hadn’t resisted. He’d had a caveat first. He was going to be at the courthouse when the final hearing took place.
To make that happen, he’d cancelled the city council meeting for the first time in his tenure.
He was the mayor; it was well within his prerogative.
And he was going to be there with her. If even on the periphery. And even if it was just to say congratulations. Turner couldn’t explain it.
He was just supposed to be there. And he had been.
Then he’d left and returned to the Barratt Hotel like the good little Mel’s Minion that he was. The crowd parted, and he could see Annie. With the kids. Finally.
As Annie turned, with the toddler in her arms, it struck him exactly what he wanted for the rest of his life. That woman. Those boys. And any more kids they were blessed to have. He wanted Annie forever.
“You’re staring,” the man beside him said. Somehow—and he thought it was through Jillian’s machinations—Allen had ended up a Mel’s Minion for the day, too. They’d stuck together since Turner’s arrival after the hearing—better protection from Mel that way.
The boys wore tiny suits, complete with bow ties. Turner smiled. They were three seriously adorable kids. Annie came alive with the boys in a way he hadn’t seen before. He could watch them together all day. “I should go over, collect my lady and her small humans.”
“Of course, that’s all that’s in your head right now.” Allen shot him a significant look. “She’s not exactly your type.”
“Well, what does that have to do with anything? It’s not like Izzie’s yours—and I saw you making the moony eyes in her direction before.” More like death-glare rays, but…it was guaranteed to get a rise out of Allen.
Allen gave a soft curse. His expression darkened. “Not likely. The woman is a little viper at times. When I made her angry last week, she told me to just break it off and shove it down my own throat.”
Turner winced. Izzie was usually a bit on the sweet side. He couldn’t imagine her saying that…well, maybe he could. She had a fiery side, too. One that Allen seemed destined to ignite. “What did you do to warrant that?”
“I merely suggested she should not have left the hospital AMA. That’s all.”
Turner suspected he knew what happened—Allen could be a bit autocratic at times. Not arrogant exactly, but he thought he knew the way things should be.
Hell, Turner was probably just the same himself. He’d always liked Allen. They had a lot in common—and not just a certain pair of blond twins from fifteen years ago. Twins that he would probably not mention ever again.
“I say we stick together with the two of them. You be my wingman? Build me up to her at the hospital, and all that? Next time I see Iz, I’ll tell her you’re not a half-bad guy. She should give you a chance.”
Allen snorted. “I’d sooner kiss a salamander than that woman.”
“You may want to see a shrink for that; a guy would be lucky to get to kiss Iz. And, Al? I never said anything about you kissing Izzie. Your mind went there all on its own.”
Turner didn’t want to be with Allen right now. He wanted to be there with Annie. He’d tied the balloons that had IT’S A BOY all around the table himself. That had been the task Mel had assigned him.
“You’re serious about her?”
Mel had been giving him a mischievous and knowing grin that had kind of scared him.
He was as serious about Annie as a man could get. For a Barratt, that was all the knowledge he needed. Now it was time to plan.
“As Rafe is about that redheaded demon of his. As Houghton is about her sister. As—”
“I get it. Well, I wish you the best of luck.”
Annie was looking at him now. Turner didn’t take his eyes away from hers.
Heat hit her cheeks. Turner grinned. He refused to look away first. Her youngest needed her, and Annie finally looked away. But Turner hadn’t forgotten the look on her face.
No doubt she was remembering exactly what they’d done last night. She wanted him, too. He was going to use that to his advantage.
“Leave the woman alone, Barratt.”
“Nope. That’s my woman over there. I just have to get her to admit it.”
“If she says no and you hurt her in any way, I’ll be the first one to kick your ass.”
Turner turned serious. “If I ever hurt her, I’ll bend over and let you. That’s the one woman in the world for me right there. I just have to convince her of that.”
“If you manage it, you’ll be one of the luckiest men on the planet. Take care of her, Turner. Annie deserves a man who sees her for exactly who she is.”