Betty ignored her. “I already sent them a computer letter asking if they could get us one with red hair and an English accent, just in case you want a kid that’s like the two of you.”
“I’m going to pass out,” Kirsty wailed.
Lake pinched the bridge of his nose and took several deep breaths before looking at Betty. His eyes were ice. Betty cocked her head and considered him. She’d never seen that look before.
“Satan, you’ve outdone yourself this time.” Lake pointed at the website that said they’d provide kids to order. “This is bloody illegal. They’re probably kidnapping children. I don’t even know how you found this site, but I’ll pass it on to my government contacts and get it shut down.”
Betty looked at the printout and frowned. “I found it on the hidden interweb.”
“You mean the dark web?” Lake’s voice sounded tinny. “How the hell did you get onto the dark web?”
“I watched a video. Now that I think about it, the guy who told you how to do it didn’t show his face. I thought he was camera shy. I should have guessed he was a criminal. Now, if I’d had Benson Security training, I wouldn’t have made that mistake.”
Lake’s jaw clenched.
Betty ignored him and pointed to a Chinese organization. “What about one of these? This wee lassie looks feisty; I like that. That’s if you want a girl. I don’t see the problem, girls are smarter, but you might want a boy.”
“Please, tell me you realize that adopting a child isn’t the same as picking out new curtains?” Kirsty said, still facing the floor.
Betty looked at the printouts, then up at Lake who shook his head to tell her not to answer the question.
“I don’t see why you’re making a fuss. You wanted kids. I sorted it for you. The least you could do is say thanks.” Betty grinned. “And name your daughter after me. Betty Benson. Sounds good, aye?”
With a whistled tune and a spring in her step, Betty left them to think about it. As the door closed behind her, she headed back for the pub and the Domino Boys. She put her hand into her huge bag and pulled out something else she’d found on the interweb. It was a gift for the Domino Boys. She grinned at the knitted plaque that said: Domino Players Do It With Viagra. She planned to tell them it was from the Knit or Die women and get Dougal to put it up behind the bar.
With a cackle, she watched the sun sparkle on the loch as she headed down Main Street. Maybe she’d get some fern cakes on the way. It seemed like the perfect day for cake.
“Take a deep breath,” Lake said as he crouched in front of his wife.
“That woman is the bane of my life.” Kirsty’s big blue eyes stared into his soul, and Lake felt his heart melt all over again.
She was perfection. And she was his.
“How did she know about my fertility problems?” Kirsty said.
“I think she’s bugged the place,” Lake said. “I found discrepancies in the inventory. A couple of listening devices were missing.”
“Please.” Kirsty put a hand on his cheek. “Please let one of the new team members take her out.”
His head fell back, and he roared with laughter. Only Kirsty could make it bubble out of him. He pressed a gentle kiss to her soft, pink lips.
“I can’t do that. She’d just come back to haunt us.”
“There is that.” Kirsty pushed her hair out of her face. “You’re going to shut down that disgusting baby operation though, right?”
“Oh yes,” Lake promised. Even if he had to do it personally.
“And maybe you should restrict your pet Hobbit’s internet access while you’re at it,” Kirsty said.
Lake figured he had more chance of getting the world to spin in a different direction. “I’ll get right on that,” he said instead.
Kirsty wasn’t fooled, but her eyes sparkled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’ve got the tickets.”
He felt a rush of adrenaline surge through him. “When do we leave?”
“Tonight. Ten o’clock flight out of Glasgow. I’ve packed already.” Her eyes filled with tears, which she blinked back rapidly. “Can you believe we’re going to get our baby?”
“I can’t wait.” Lake gave her a hard kiss that left them both breathless. When they broke apart, he rested his forehead on hers. “You know Betty will think this was her idea.”