I was stunned speechless when he did the unthinkable — hoisted me like some weightless sack of potatoes upon his shoulder. "How very dare you, Jared?!" I fumed, pounding on his back as he carried me away from uncle Pete's ward, away from Celine who was as stunned as I was but had a sneaky smile playing about her lips.

I narrowed my gaze at her receding figure on the sofa. "Are you in on this?"

She raised both hands mid-air, shaking her head. Then she waved. "Have fun. I'll be here till you ...