“I do,” I said, reaching out for her hand. Like Mari, I knew she wanted to pull out of my embrace, but I wanted her to feel this. “I love them so much, Maureen. Like they’re my own.”
“Any fool can see that.” She squeezed my hand. “And I’m no fool. Never was.” She paused. “Well, except for that one time I thought I was in love with Sean McFartin.”
I pulled my lips in before I blurted, “Maureen McFartin!”
“Dodged a bullet with that one,” she said, laughing with me. “Though I hear he’s living the good life. Owns a farm somewhere that’s made him plenty.”
I couldn’t tell if she was joking or not, but our laughter echoed throughout the kitchen. After a minute or so, we both sighed, but not at the same time.
“I told that story to CeeCee,” she said, shrugging. “But it didn’t get the results I’d hoped for. You. You broke through. We’re all meant for someone, you know, and you and that child were meant for each other. I’ve come to realize that those two children were meant for this family.”
“You, too,” I said.
Ignoring my last remark, she tapped the table with her pointer finger once. “As unconventional as it is, as unconventional as your husband is, I know there’s no place I’d rather my grandchildren be.” She stood, going back to the stove, stirring her pot of whatever. “We’ll be moved in by next week,” she said, her voice soft.
“I didn’t even get to ask,” I whispered. “I was going to.”
“No need,” she said. “Your husband already told me so. And when I said I had to think about it…” She paused for a minute or two, and then she lowered her voice, trying to match his, as she said, “I’ll wait.”
32
Keely
Isuggested that Maureen and the kids move in right away, since CeeCee was so excited about the move, but Maureen claimed she needed a few days to get her things together. I offered to help, but she told me no, she had some personal effects to go through alone.
A couple of days later, that left me with a house full of men. All of my brothers were over, having a poker game in the kitchen with Cash, and since I didn’t want to hear it when one of them accused another of cheating, I decided to read for a while in the library.
Cash came in about an hour later and kissed me on the head.
“What’s going on?” I said, yawning, looking up at him. Then I inhaled. He smelled like cigar smoke and whiskey.
He showed me his cellphone. “Martin.”
Martin was one of the men who “worked” for him.
I nodded but took him by the shirt, keeping him close to me. “I hate to admit this,” I said. “But I’m attached to you now.”
He grinned, then leaned down and kissed me—he stole my breath, the marauding bastard. “That’s why hearts are a pain in the arse, darlin’. They cause all sorts of trouble when you try to leave them behind.”
“Grand,” I said. “Just fucking grand.”
He laughed, leaving me in the library all alone. A minute passed. Two. Three. On the fourthtick, something that felt a lot like fear hit me in the center of my chest. It turned my blood ice cold.
I took the steps two at a time, almost biting it once or twice when I almost lost my footing. Once on the bottom floor, I slid, catching myself right at the entrance of the kitchen. “Where’s Cash?” I asked my brothers.
They were huddled around the table, still playing poker.
Harrison pointed behind me. “Just walked out.”
I hustled to the door, yanking it open, just before he turned the key in the lock. His eyes flashed up to mine, not expecting it, but then they narrowed.
“You didn’t kiss me long enough,” I said, stalling, because I had no fucking clue what else to say.
He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close. He kissed me, but it still didn’t feel long enough. My hands were fisted in his shirt, and I wished for claws to sink into his skin so he could never leave me.
He leaned in and kissed me on the forehead, his mouth lingering before he pulled away. Out of all the times he’d kissed me, none of them seemed to mean more than that one. It expressed everything I doubted he’d ever admit to me. How he’d take care of me for as long as he lived. How he loved me, even if he’d never say it.
“Cash Kelly!” I said to his retreating back. It took him a second, but he stopped. “Take care of yourself.”
