Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Ugh, I hate that ya have to go out. Will ya be long?”
“No, I’ll be back by lunch.”
“Okay, I’ll miss ya.”
“I’m already missing ya,” he says and kisses the tip of my nose.
I roll over and try to go back to sleep. About ten minutes later, I know that’s not going to happen. I punch the pillow and grumble to myself.
I might as well get up and shower, then go find my girls. I miss their little faces. After I’m showered, I think about going for a run.
Maybe Blair will come with me, and Callum can stay behind with the babies. He loves being an uncle. Those girls have so many protectors.
I dress in a pair of leggings and a running top. After I’m dressed, I head downstairs to find the girls. I’m sure they’re up. The time zone difference has thrown their routine off.
Looking down at my phone, I think of calling Val. It’s about eleven at night in New York. My mind goes to last night and I smirk.
At this time of night, Val and Uri are probably busy. I’ll have to wait for later. I hear the girls before I see them. Cara is squealing her head off.
When she comes into view, I find Callum playing peekaboo with her. Liadan is in Cassie’s arms, trying to look around her to see what her sister is excited about with her nosy butt.
I go to take Liadan from Cass, but Cass scowls at me. I laugh and shake my head, but leave them be and go to find some coffee. It’s as I drink my coffee that I notice Blair isn’t here.
“Where’s Granny McGowan and Blair?” I ask.
“Mum is out in the garden before the sun gets blistering. Blair went for a run.”
“She still tends to that garden? I can still remember when Kate and I would come to help her.”
“She would love that. Why don’t ya go out there?”
“I’m going to have to fight ya to get my children back, aren’t I?”
“Ye can fight me boys for not allowing me more time with my grands. Besides, Cole is like one of my own and these two are so precious and full of personality already. Are ye planning to have more?”
My entire face gets hot. I think that was Cole’s mission last night. Patrick might already be on his way. However, I keep this to myself and give a warm smile.
“Aye, we do. Not sure when, but we will.”
“Grand, then ye should enjoy this time I’m giving ye. I don’t know how Joe and I found time to have another four after we had the first three. Little fuckers were so damn busy and nosy.”
I laugh and go to kiss her cheek. “Thank ya, Cass.”
“Ye can call me Aunt Cass, ye know. Always could have.”
“Thank ya, Aunt Cass. I’ll be in the garden with Granny McGowan if ya need me.”
“Is it okay if I run up and make a few calls?” Callum asks.
“Sure, ye go right ahead. Me shoulder isn’t what it used to be, but I can still hold me guns, or if I have to, I’ll settle for the one like me mum,” Cass says.
I jerk my head back, but then I remember Cole telling me she was shot in a shootout in Cali. Good thing we’re not expecting any of that around here. I hesitate for a moment before Cass shoos me away to go help in the garden.
“Aye, there ya are. Would ya like some help?”
“Ya know, I have four sons and five grandsons and none of them volunteer to help. Yer a good egg. Cole’s a lucky one, he is.”
“Put me to work. How can I help?”
“Will ya hand me that?” she says and points to a bag of soil.
I grab the bag she’s pointing to and carry it over to her. She pulls a blade from her little boot and slashes the bag open. I get down on my knees to help her.
The task seems to go by faster as we fall into a little banter. It feels good to talk to her in Gaelic. I haven’t missed that I’ve fallen right back into my accent while here.
We’re almost done when I hear shots fired. I snap my head up and look in the direction the sound came from. Another shot is fired, causing me to jump to my feet.
“Hurry, in the house,” I say to Granny McGowan.
She waves for me to leave her. “Check on the babes.”
As we get into the house, I find Cass with Cara and Liadan in her arms. I look around for Callum and remember he went upstairs to make some calls.
“Take cover, I’ll handle this,” I say without waiting for a response.
I dart for the bag I tucked away in the front of the house in case of an emergency when we arrived. Tossing on the holster quickly, I move out the door. My heart stops when I see Blair moving toward me, covered in blood.