“It makes you wonder why we even bother,” said Finnegan. His brothers looked at him, confused. “I mean, why serve our country, risk our lives, take the worst missions known to man, when all they do is get pissed off when we actually go above and beyond.”
“I’m not sure we’re going to solve that issue,” said River. He looked at his watch and then at his brothers. “Priscilla’s gonna be worried we’re not back yet. I’m sure she’s anxious to hear what happened.”
“I’d like to hear what happened,” frowned Quinn. “I went numb after, ‘thank you gentlemen for your service’.”
“It will all work out,” said River slapping his brother’s back. He and Finnegan began walking toward the house then turned, waiting for Quinn. “Quinn?”
“Hold on,” he said staring off down the beach. “Are you guys seeing what I’m seeing?”
Before they could answer, his shoes were off and he was running in full dress uniform, sans shoes, down the beach.
“Well, shit,” muttered Finnegan. “So much for retirement.”
They could see what he was seeing a good two-hundred yards down the beach. A man was gripping the ponytail of a woman, dragging her kicking and screaming down the beach.
Quinn got there first, stepping in front of the man, his big hand in the center of his chest.
It was the start of a very long few weeks with Quinn and April but Finnegan was happy to help his brother.
That made brother number two down for the count. Meeting April changed Quinn in all the best ways and Finn couldn’t be happier for his newly married brothers.
He’d thought of marriage and of dating someone steady for a few years. Especially since the woman he wanted to date was finally a young woman, or at least everyone was telling him she was a young woman, old enough, smart enough, ready for what he might offer.
But Finn still had his doubts. Their age gap was significant enough that it worried him slightly. What if she wasn’t as mature as everyone claimed?
He’d been around her for her entire life but they didn’t ‘hang out’ together. What if she appeared mature and solid in front of her parents and others, but behind closed doors, with friends, she was a giggling, bumbling, idiot?
He didn’t mean to have those thoughts but they crept in whether he liked it or not.
At Quinn and April’s wedding, Finn spotted the only woman he’d thought about for the last four years. Unfortunately, she was dancing with an old schoolmate, now an attorney for the company.
Finn was not amused.
Patrick watched his only single son at Quinn’s wedding and smiled to himself. He noticed Finnegan seated, watching the crowds and wondered if he were contemplating someone as a future wife. There were plenty of women in the crowd. Many too young, but many within an appropriate age range.
“Seeing your future?” he asked smiling down at him. Finn stood laughing at his father.
“Don’t push, Dad. I’m just happy for Quinn and for River.”
“Wavy has grown into a beautiful young woman,” he said to his son. Finn jerked his head to the side, staring at his father.
“Willa. Her name is Willa. I hate that nickname, Wavy. And yes, she’s beautiful and young and if that asshole Brian Talbot doesn’t stop dancing with her I’m going to pound his face in.”
Finn turned on his heels and walked in the opposite direction. Patrick could only nod his head, smiling at his third son.
“So, it’s Willa,” grinned Margo. “We suspected as much.”
“Yep. Now, we have to figure out how to make him realize that she’s not so young any longer.” Margo took her husband’s hand and led him to the dance floor.
“Let’s let him figure that out. It usually works best that way. But just in case, maybe warn Brian so he doesn’t get the shit beat out of him.” Patrick laughed, swearing that he’d give a bit of a warning to poor Brian.
Willa knew that Finn was watching her but he didn’t do a damn thing. He didn’t ask her to dance. He didn’t come and sit with her or offer her a drink. He didn’t even bother to say hello or compliment her dress or her hair.
He just frowned at her. She’d finally had enough.
“Another dance, Willa?” asked Brian.
“Oh. Oh, no Brian. Thank you but I think I need to speak to someone.” Brian turned and smiled at Finn, nodding.
