“They were,” she said fondly. “But all children should be a handful, in my opinion. I was never allowed to be, and I didn’t want that for Evan.” I lifted my head to see her staring into the distance, shaking her head as she continued. “Okay, it may have cost me several replacement windows, dishes, and lord knows what else over the years, but it made Evan happy. And that, to me, is priceless.”
I reached out to take her hand, squeezing it lightly. “Sounds like you were a pretty epic mum, June.”
She snorted, swiping at her eyes with her other hand. “Well, I tried my best. Don’t get me wrong, I still threatened to put him over my knee on more than one occasion. Still do, for that matter.”
A large frame filled the doorway. “Like I’d fit on yer lap now.”
June narrowed her eyes. “I’ve told ye before, Evan McCarthy, I’ll find a way to make it work.”
Evan’s eyes danced with mirth as he leaned against the doorjamb. “Now I’m tempted to misbehave just to see you attempt it.”
“Like ye do anything else,” she muttered. “Sometimes I think you were dragged up instead of raised.”
“And whose fault is that?” Evan tapped his chin mockingly. “Oh right, that’d be yours.”
My head swivelled between them, fascinated by their dynamic. The conversation wasn’t miles away from one I might’ve experienced as a kid, but the intent and tone were completely foreign. There was no heat. No censure.
Just…love. Warmth.
It was the kind of banter I shared with Bryce and theothers. The thought of having a secure enough relationship with a family member to do it?
It blew my mind.
A mischievous glint appeared in June’s eyes as she faced me. “Reid, have ye seen the photos of Evan and the others from the early nineties yet? Complete with frosted tips and shell suits?”
In the corner of my vision, I saw Evan slap a hand over his eyes.
My lips twitched. “Oh, I’d love to see them.”
Evan groaned. “Ma, you wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would.” She shot him an evil grin as she stood. “That seems like a better punishment for teasing your ma.”
Chapter 20
Evan
Iwasn’t sure what I’d expected to find when I finally got home, but it wasn’t this.
Reid and Ma were sat together on the sofa, countless photos spread over the coffee table. From the looks of it, she’d been giving him a whistle stop tour of my formative years. From the soft smile playing on Reid’s lips, he’d been enjoying the journey.
Seeing him sat on my sofa unlocked a need in me. A need to come home to this every day. I’d barely been able to tear my eyes away from him since I’d entered. The sight of him in my hoody had my wolf growling with satisfaction. His hair was mussed from sleep, but his expression was bright and amused.
There was none of the darkness that had trailed after him like a shadow these past few months. Just a quiet…contentment.
Suddenly, I wanted to do whatever it took to make him feel this way all the time. Every minute of every day.
The best part of all was how he was sitting. Both of hislegs were tucked under him, his torso twisted to face Ma. Reid didn’t look like a guest here.
He looked like he belonged.
Ma got to her feet, pausing as she reached me. She patted my cheek and shot me a sly wink. “I think Margie has those particular photos. I’ll pop over there now. Keep Reid company, won’t you? You know how she loves to natter. I’ll be lucky if I can escape before lunch.”
I knew what Ma was doing and couldn’t love her more for it. She’d gone out of her way to make Reid feel comfortable, and was now giving us time alone. I made a note to stop by Thistle Do Nicely and order something as special as her.
I waited until the door closed behind her. “She says that like she’s not just as bad as Margie. The two of them can talk for Scotland and the rest of the UK combined.”
Reid chuckled. “I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.”
