Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Bella Settarra

family?” she asked with a frown.
    “What about them?”
    “Your mother doesn’t like me. What about the rest? It’ll be hard on you if you marry me against your family’s wishes.”
    “Well, we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we? How about you make a start on this place and I’ll grab the laptop?”
    She bit her lip. “They’ve left messages, I think. I didn’t read them, I just recognized the names.”
    Aitan nodded and set off to retrieve the laptop. Ligia sighed as she tidied up the pots and pans, then the table and chairs. A jug of white flowers had been knocked over and she went to take one of the Elmwood leaves from the bedroom to soak it up. She held her breath as she looked around the little bedroom, remembering the events which had occurred there. A tear rolled down her cheek.
    “Something happened here, didn’t it?”
    She hadn’t noticed Aitan return, but he must have noticed her expression.
    “Nearly,” she replied without looking at him.
    He turned her chin up with his finger, forcing her to look into his eyes.
    “It won’t happen again,” he promised.
    She nodded and managed a smile. Somehow she knew Aitan would keep her safe.
    “I’m going to use this to mop up the water,” she announced, grabbing the cover from the bed.
    Aitan helped her remove it and she took it into the front room where the jug had been spilled. “I think I’ll get us some new bedding,” he said, removing the rest of the leaves which served as bed linen. He took them outside and returned shortly afterward with an armful of fresh leaves.
    “Thank you,” Ligia said, as they made the bed.
    He gave her a knowing look and a wink.
    “Let’s get this thing fired up, then,” he said as they returned to the front room. He had already placed the laptop on the rickety little table and he began pressing buttons.
    “I’ll get the supper,” Ligia said, making a hasty retreat.
    It took Aitan a while to sift through the many e-mails and v-mails which had been sent from his family. They seemed exasperated that he was unable to answer any of them, and had just sent more and more, mostly saying the same thing.
    Ligia was dishing up meat and vegetable stew when he went outside. The sun was beginning to set and it danced on her hair, making it glow dark red. He loved her hair. He loved everything about her.
    “Don’t look so worried,” he said with a grin. She hadn’t noticed she was frowning. She looked up at him pensively.
    “We don’t have to get married if it will upset your family, Aitan. I’m happy for us to just be together.” Her eyes were wide and tearful. He seemed sad to see her vehemence wane.
    “We’re getting married and they’re coming to the wedding. They can’t wait to meet you.” He was grinning even more broadly as he leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
    She gave him his supper and snuggled next to him on the grass while they ate.
    “I’ll show you the messages after,” he promised. “Mom’s real sorry. She apologised to you on the v-mail. She said she wanted to say it to your face but she couldn’t get through on the Super-Skype. The visual mail says it all, though.”
    “We switched the computer off so we could hide it from the pirates,” Ligia replied, taking a bite of her meal.
    “Not to worry. We can talk to her later.”
    Ligia stared at him, warily. He smiled, stroking her cheek.
    “It’s OK. Honestly. My sisters have been in touch. They were really cross with Mom when they heard what she’d said. She didn’t mean it.”
    “Your sisters?”
    “Yeah. They were real excited when Mom told them about me getting married, and asked about you. When she told them what she’d said they were mad. Suzette demanded she got back to you right away to explain. Geva tried to speak to you but couldn’t get through so she sent you a video message, apologising for our Mom. She wants you to know that they don’t agree with her or what she said. After Suzette gave her good