Finn brings my hand up to kiss it, and then we start walking again.“I’m bringing you because we’re partners.Life partners.”
“See there?You’re almost having the conversation again.But not quite.”
“Don’t be nervous,” I tell her.
We walk inside my father’s house.There’s a lot of noise.My father, Aunt Phyllis, and all of my brothers are here.They’re crammed into the kitchen talking about cattle prices.
“This is such bullshit!”I yell.“You’re not talking about cattle prices.You’re talking about Emma and me.Who blabbed?”
“Don’t look at me,” Declan says.“I’m not a blabber.Not when I’ve been told not to blab under threat of violence.But if you’re ever in need of some Grade-A blabbing, I’m your man.”
“Son,” my dad says, pointing at Declan.“Sit down and quit your blabbing.This is not about you.”
Declan sits on the counter and crosses his arms over his chest.
“I’d like to go now,” Special K says.“I don’t like girl talk.”
“I’m not a girl.I’m a woman,” Emma says.
“A lady,” I correct.
Evander slaps my back.“Is this all you dreamed your special moment could be?”
“I have an announcement,” I say, in my best announcer voice.“Emma and I are together!”
“Cue the banging-the-housekeeper jokes!”Emma shouts.
There’s an initial silence while my brothers exchange looks.
“Well, Finn, you really cleaned up with this one,” Declan says.
“She’s gonna mop the floor with you, Finlay,” Evander says.
“Why am I even here?”Special K asks.
“You’re here to welcome Emma to the family,” Dad says.“Now, let me be the first to give you a hug, sweetie.”
She steps toward him, and he meets her halfway, embracing her in a warm hug.“Welcome to the MacLaine family, Emma.Heaven help you.”
“I’ll be the second to welcome you to the family.”Evander grabs her in a bear hug that lasts about three seconds too long.
“Watch the hands.The hands!”
Evander looks over Emma’s shoulder and winks at me.
“Let’s tell Cal and Victoria,” Aunt Phyllis says.“Do the zoom-zoom thing, Declan.”
“It’s just the one Zoom, Aunt Phyllis, but sure, we can do that.”
A minute later, we’re on camera with Cal and Victoria.They’re on a black sand beach with a wide expanse of crystal clear turquoise water behind them, and not another soul in sight.Cal kept their honeymoon destination a secret, but I recognize the place.It’s a private island in Tahiti that used to be owned by a warlord we were tasked to handle a while back.I wonder if Cal purchased it and who he purchased it from.I’ll have to remember to ask.
“Finn and Emma are an item!”Dad screams like he’s making an old-timey overseas call.
“I knew it!”Victoria sticks out her hand, palm up.“You owe me twenty dollars, Callum MacLaine.Pay up.”
“No banging-the-housekeeper jokes,” Declan adds.
“Emma should ask for a raise,” Cal says.
