Page 2 of Dead Sure
“You can’t be any more specific than that? I’ll need to ask for time off for our honeymoon.”
Ten laughed, thinking Autumn was joking. One look at her face told him she was not. “There’s something you need to keep in mind. The future is fluid.”
Autumn’s green eyes darkened with a flash of anger. “What does that mean?”
“What I’ve told you is what I see in your future atthismoment in time. Decisions you make, accidents or mishaps in your or your husband’s lives can change the course of your future.” Ten paused, waiting to see if what he was saying to Autumn wassinking in. Yes, his predictions were usually on the money, but there were no absolutes in life. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Autumn nodded, her earlier angry look gone. “I’m getting married to the man of my dreams. My future starts today. How can I ever thank you, Tennyson?”
Ten grinned at the young woman. “Be happy. Enjoy your life. Pass your happiness along to others.”
“I will.” Autumn popped out of her seat and pulled Ten in for a quick hug. She threw open the door and laughed. “Time to go dress shopping! Byeeee!” With that, Autumn was gone.
Ten shook his head. It was obvious Autumn hadn’t paid much attention to his warning about the future being subject to change. His client seemed to be the type who grabbed life by the horns and wrangled every situation to her liking. That kind of attitude might work in the office or with girlfriends, but didn’t usually translate so well in matters of the heart.
Ten wished Autumn all the best and hoped life would turn out the way she wanted.
1
Ronan
April, present day…
“Hoppy Easter!” Ronan bellowed as Everly and Ezra bounced into the master bedroom. “Are you ready to go on an egg hunt?”
“Me get candy!” Ezra shouted, as Ronan pulled on his slippers.
“Wait, what’s this?” An empty, purple Easter basket sat beside Ronan’s bed. “I get a basket?”
“You must have beenreallygood for the Easter bunny to have left eggs for an old man!” Everly shrieked when Ronan reached out and grabbed her.
“Old! Old! Old!” Ezra chanted.
“What’s happening out here?” Ten asked, coming out of the bathroom.
“Daddy old man!” Ezra proclaimed.
Ten snorted. “I know, honey, but what is Daddy so excited about?”
Ronan raised an eyebrow at his husband. The man who was supposed to love him unconditionally until his dying breath. The man who’d just agreed that he was an old man. “The Easter Bunny left me a basket. I guess since I’m gonna die soon, I get to go on one last egg hunt.” Ronan pouted, feeling lower than an earthworm with a tax bill.
Ten burst out laughing. He slapped his hands over his mouth. “You’re not going to die soon. I promise.” Ten giggled along with Everly.
“That doesn’t exactly boost my confidence.” Ronan rolled his eyes. “Let’s get this egg hunt underway. I’ve got to start peeling potatoes and carrots for dinner.” Why was Jude always sticking him with bullshit food prep chores? He’d proven over the years he was a damn good cook. What the hell was so hard about making a ham? It was already cooked! All you had to do was stick it in the oven and warm it up. Any idiot could do that. Ronan chuckled to himself. Jude seemed to fit that bill perfectly.
“Are you ready to go, Ronan? Or are you gonna sit here and bemoan your lowly status as potato peeler?”
“I hate you reading me when I’m in my feelings.” Grabbing his basket, Ronan stood up and pressed a kiss to Ten’s lips. “How do I know which eggs are mine?”
“Go by the color of your baskets. Everly’s are pink. Ezra’s blue and yours are purple.”
“What happens if a pink egg accidentally ends up in my basket?” Ronan asked, feeling a bit better about the day already.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Daddy.” Everly pointed to her eyes and then to Ronan’s.
“Really, that’s what I get for all those smelly diapers I changed and the nights I stayed up with you when you were sick?”
“That’s life in the fast lane!” Everly turned to Ezra. “Ready? Set? Go!” She and Ezra dashed out of the room.
