“Thank god, it’s over.”
Colin nodded, then touched Joshua’s cheek. “You told me you weren’t afraid anymore, and then I go and scare the crap out of you.”
“Youdidn’t scare me. The guy with thegunscared me. And I thought we weren’t supposed to keep it from each other when we felt ill.”
Colin lifted his shoulder in a half-shrug. “Felt like the right move at the time.”
The corners of Joshua’s eyes slanted. “I’ll remind you of that the next time you’re bitching me out for the exact same thing.”
“This day just keeps getting better and better,” Colin grumbled, then reached to grab at Joshua’s arm as he slid out of bed. “Hey! Where you going?”
Joshua moved to the nearby dresser and fumbled with the objects lying there. Then he turned and knelt in front of Colin. “Here,” he said, offering up the items in his hand.
“What’s this?”
“Aspirin and something to help you sleep. Tomorrow’s a big day.”
Colin took the pills from Joshua’s hand and quickly swallowed them. “I can’t be feeling sick tomorrow, Josh. I neverseemy family. I can’t feel crappy while we’re all together. It’ll ruin the whole day for me.”
“Turn over. I’ll rub your back and neck ’til you fall asleep, and tomorrow, you’ll be right as rain.”
Colin coughed out a dubious grunt and turned to lie on his stomach. “Only if my luck changes.”
CHAPTERTWENTY
FAMILY GATHERING
Colin paced the length and breadth of Aileen’s house, peering out the window every few minutes until his aunt grabbed his arm and forced him to a halt. “Lord above, boy, they only left Galway twenty minutes ago, and it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive! D’you think they’re coming by rocket ship? And they’re stopping in Limerick to get Randy and Erin.” She pointed toward the kitchen. “David’s cooking breakfast. Get in there and eat!”
Joshua snickered as Colin slunk into the kitchen and collapsed onto a chair. “Did Ahn-tee put a stop to your mad pacing?”
Colin peered up at him and wrinkled his nose. “She did,” he muttered. “Now I can’t peek out the window.”
“They’re two hours away, Colin!” Nate told him, reaching to grab a piece of toast. “What exactly do you expect tosee?”
Colin’s eyes lifted to the ceiling, and he blew out a frustrated breath. “I am under-appreciated in my own home.”
Joshua lowered his head, shaking with soft laughter.
“Here, Colin,” David said, setting a plate before him filled with eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, a serving of black pudding, and soda bread toast. “This’ll give you something to do.”
“… with your mouth,” Nate inserted with a grin, then he poked Colin’s shoulder. “How are you feeling? Are your ears still ringing?”
“A bit. But they’re a lot better than they were.” He gestured to his overflowing plate and peered up at David. “Didyoudo all of this?”
“All except the pudding,” David replied, an overjoyed grin breaking across his face. “Aileen’s going to teach me how to makethatbefore we leave.”
Colin arched his eyebrows and lifted a forkful of sausage to his lips. “Carry on, Professor. And when we get home, expect us for breakfast every Sunday.”
Nate tilted his head toward Colin, turning to David and Joshua. “And what do we do with him once he’s done stuffing his face?”
“We could drive to the park and walk,” David suggested. “Stroll one of the trails for an hour or so. What’d you guys think?”
“How long are they staying?” Joshua asked.
“I dunno,” Colin mumbled around a mouthful of food. “Probably not all that long. It’s fishing season. Danny has to get back to the boat.” He glanced up at David. “And the walk sounds like a great idea.”
* * *
