He was caught between demands from his brother and his wife to be. "I wrote to mother yesterday," he said, "You're the only one I have told in person so far. You should feel special." He wasn't jesting, though there was a sardonic edge to his voice that should let Zech know there was no small amount of irritation involved. "Whatever we choose, that baby will have my name and that is the right thing, and one of two things that matter the most to me. I love Katherine." There, he thought, stick that into a pipe and smoke it!

Speaking of pipe, he decided he was going to be an ass to Zech and walk away so Kittie could say whatever it is she felt like saying. He shot her a secretive grin on his way to the terrace, gesturing ever so slightly with his head to let her rip.