Colin set upright and pressed a kiss to Joshua’s cheek. “Iamhappy! I think seeing Ireland with David and Nate is going to be amazing. And, yeah.” He sighed and began to gather the maps and brochures. “I suppose I should do this tomorrow. I’ve got court first thing, and it’s getting late.”
“Colin, thank you for being our tour guide. A trip to Ireland planned by you can’t help but be wonderful.”
Colin cupped Joshua’s cheek and then kissed him. “Being in Ireland with you beside me? Nowthat’smagic!” He gazed into Joshua’s eyes for a moment, then touched his cheek. “Jesus, Josh, you’ve been through so much, and you’ve been so brave through it all. You deserve a special vacation. I don’t want to leave our holiday to some anonymous tour company. What dotheyknow? I want to plan it myself. Make it the most romantic trip imaginable.”
“A second honeymoon?” Joshua whispered, smiling as he nuzzled against Colin’s cheek.
“Nah,” Colin murmured, tugging Joshua closer. “A continuation of the first.”
Joshua lowered his head, blinded by tears, but Colin lifted it until their eyes met. “I love you,” he said. “More than I did the day I married you. More than I did when we first honeymooned in Ireland. More than I thought I could love anyone. More than I thought I could…,” he hesitated and bowed his head, then lifted it until he again met Joshua’s eyes, “…love.” He kissed Joshua’s upturned mouth and whispered: “You healed my heart. Now, it’s my turn to heal yours.
* * *
The following day,Colin entered the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and dropped a stack of official papers on the receptionist’s desk. “Done anddone!” he crowed to Sheila Hamilton, receptionist and assistant to the four attorneys who shared the office.
“And justwhathave you dumped on my desk, ACA Campbell?” Sheila asked with an easy grin.
Colin leaned against her desk, returning her smile. “That’s ACA Campbell-Abramsto you, missy!”
“Apologies to you, sir. And to your handsome husband.”
“Heishandsome, isn’t he!”
“I have no idea how you managed to snag such a hottie,” she teased as she flipped through the papers Colin had deposited on her desk. “I’ll get these filed right away, Colin.”
“Thanks, Sheila. And believe me, it’s a mystery to me, too.” He tilted his head toward Esther Jackson’s office door. “Is the boss lady in?”
“Nope. Out to lunch with Randolph Heisman.”
“Oooo!” Colin cooed in pretend awe. “City council! Classy! Maybe she can finagle us a raise.”
Sheila rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t count on it.”
“Did Norm go with them?”
“Nope. He’s in his office.”
“Good!” Colin said. “I’ll nailhim.”
“What are you nailing him for?”
“I want to take Josh on a two-week vacation to Ireland and take our two best friends with us.”
“David and Nate?”
“Yeah!” Colin said. “I forgot you’d met them!”
“He’s in his office.” She waved him down the hall. “Go see him!”
Colin nodded and strode to Norman Clayton’s office. Spotting him sitting at his desk, Colin tapped on the doorframe and was waved in. “C’mon in, Colin. What’s up? You clean up those retail fraud cases I stuck you with?”
Colin flopped into a chair and shot Clayton an annoyed look. “Yeah. And thanksagainfor that one, Norm.”
Clayton snickered. “Price you pay for being number two, perksIget for being numberone!”
“OK, fine. But now you owe me.”
“Sayswho?”
