“I think at noon,” Colin said. “Why?”
Joshua turned to Shayleen. “Would you go shopping with me tomorrow morning? Something I want your advice on.”
“Well, of course, Joshua.”
“We’ll be back in plenty of time.”
“What are you shopping for?” Colin asked, leaning toward him.
Joshua wrinkled his nose and smirked. “You have to wait.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
RIVER CRUISE AND THE WHITE OUTFIT
Joshua and Shayleen were out the door and gone by eight thirty the following morning then back an hour later with several large packages.
“What’s in there?” Colin asked, reaching for the bags.
“Away from there, you great lout,” Shayleen said, pushing him to one side. “You’ll see soon enough.”
Joshua laughed and moved past Colin’s grabby fingers and up the stairs, headed toward their bedroom. “You stay down here.”
Shayleen snickered and elbowed Colin’s shoulder. “Best brace yourself, Collie. You’re about to be knocked out of your shoes.”
“What thehellare you two up to?”
“You’ll see.”
Half an hour later, the family was gathered in the kitchen, eating breakfast and sipping morning beverages. Colin was sprawled in a large captain’s chair, picking at the remnants of his breakfast, with his back to the kitchen door. He was lifting a bite of toast to his mouth when he heard David blurt out in a shocked, surprised voice: “Mygod, Joshua!”
Colin wheeled to face the door and gasped in amazement, the toast falling from his fingers. “Jesus!” He rose from his chair, his movements sluggish, as if caught in a trance. “Ican’t—I—I mean, I’venever…” he stammered. “You look… mygod, Josh, you look…”
Behind him, he heard Nate burst into laughter. “Youspeechless, Colin?” he asked. “Not that I blame you. Josh, you look...spectacular.”
Joshua was dressed in a snowy white Irish cabled sweater and white slacks, with the collar of a black shirt visible underneath. The alabaster white of his ensemble seemed to glow, illuminating the room, accentuating his perfect olive skin, ebony curls, and the depths of his chocolate-brown eyes. He ran a hand through his dark hair and gave Colin the shy, sweet smile that always took Colin's breath away, and Colin felt his heart hammer in his chest.
His husband, in that moment, seemed touched by angels. There was an innocence about him, a purity of spirit, that dried Colin’s mouth and clenched his heart with an overpowering urge to protect, to preserve, to keep Joshua’s immaculate spirit safe for all time. “JesusChrist, Josh!” he said, his voice a hoarse whisper.
“Stunning,” David murmured, but Joshua’s eyes remained fixed on his husband.
“Hope you like it,” he murmured as Colin sleepwalked toward him. “It’s not my usual… I mean, I don’t normally…”
“You mean you don’t usually show off what a gorgeous hunk o’ man you are,” Shayleen said with a grin. “Instead, you stick to the plain, old T-shirts and faded jeans that’ll let you blend into the background.”
Colin wrapped Joshua in his arms and held him close. “My god, Joshua,” he whispered, his voice thick. “You are the most exquisite thing I have ever seen.”
“This isyoursurprise,” Joshua whispered in return. “You’ve asked me so often to wear this kind of stuff, and I always say ‘no.’” He shrugged. “And truth to tell, I’m a bit uncomfortable in it, but…” he smiled and kissed Colin, both hands cupping his husband’s face.
“Missus, get my shillelagh!” Danny blurted out.
“And whatever the hellfor?” his wife asked.
“Because Collie’s gonna need it.”
“Danny’s not wrong, Colin,” Nate said with a quick grin. “You’ll be beating guys off him with a club.”
But Colin and Joshua were still gazing into each other’s eyes. “No, I won’t,” Colin murmured finally, then kissed Joshua, his heart aching with love and tenderness. “Thank you, a stór mo chroí,” he whispered. “This is the best gift I haveeverreceived.”
