I nodded. "The main course. Let's just say the owners are eager to make amends after their concierge fucked us over."
"Better than facing your brand of retribution, I imagine." Kinsley picked at the edge of her toast. "I look forward to it."
I cleared my throat. "Since I'm trying to remember to say what goes through my head, I need to tell you how much I hate the idea. That said, I want you to have the chance."
She held my gaze for a long minute. "I appreciate both your honesty and your thoughtfulness. I need to do it for myself, Burke."
"I know."
After we ate, we got dressed to leave. I’d brought clothes for Kinsley, and I was pleased to discover something I picked at least matched.
Noah waited for us outside the hotel when we checked out, and he tossed the suitcase in the trunk before returning to the driver's seat. "Finn did very well, Kinsley."
She shot him a grin. "Thanks for letting me know."
I draped an arm over her shoulders. "I can't wait to see him again."
It only took a few minutes for us to reach the house tucked well off the street, but anxiety filled me when we pulled into the driveway. Irrational as it might be, my thoughts circled around Finn forgetting who I was or not liking me anymore since I'd been gone for so long. I wasn't too thrilled at seeing Danny either, despite the favor they'd granted. I wasn't fooled for a second, fully understanding it wasn't the big stupid tree's doing, but Brenda's.
Especially when she was the one to wait on the front steps with Finn, whom she set on his feet as I came up the walkway.
"Dada!"
My heart nearly burst at the sound. Brenda had to hold on to Finn's hands, but he walked toward us as fast as his legs would carry him.
"Mo mhac." Scooping Finn into my arms, I buried my nose in his neck and inhaled. Finn pulled my hair and slobbered on my cheek, and I loved every bit of it. "Níos mó ná mo shaol féin."
"You'll have to teach me Irish," Kinsley said as she joined us.
Finn reached for her, and I released him. "Mo mhac means my son."
Kinsley rained kisses on our child's face while he giggled. "And the second thing you said?"
"More than my own life," I murmured. "Him and you; no one else."
It felt like perfection to embrace them both, to know I was home as long as they were with me. With reluctance, I let them go to enter the house.
Danny stood in the foyer. "Burke."
I nodded in the other man's direction. "Daniel. Thank you for keeping Finn overnight."
Danny shrugged. "Sure."
Brenda said, "It was such a romantic gesture to surprise Kinsley. How could we say no?"
Kinsley gave Brenda a hug. "So, lemon meringue pie, huh?" she said, laughing at Danny.
Danny snorted. "I still got some."
"Thanks to Noah bringing it back," Brenda added.
"It was such a lovely surprise. Thank you, both of you."
"I have one more favor to ask," I said. I glanced at Kinsley, who nodded. "My wife and I have some business to tend to in Boston. It shouldn't take more than a handful of days, but there's no way to know for certain. Are you able to watch over our son while we're away?"
"That depends on what type of business you're referring to," Danny said.
"No, it doesn't," Brenda protested. "It's none of our business."
