“Everly kidnapped Ezra’s cow as a ploy to pack more clothes.” That was a sentence Ronan could have never guessed would come out of his mouth.
“What?” Jude wore a confused look.
“It’s not going to make any more sense if I say it again. Just remember this day when Lizzie wants to pack a month’s worth of clothes for a weekend away.”
“I’m ready to go!” Everly announced from the top of the stairs. She’d changed her outfit and was now wearing a red and white flowered dress, a straw hat, and large sunglasses. Ronan couldn’t help but think she looked like Jackie Kennedy on her way to spend a weekend at the family compound on Cape Cod.
Jude snickered. “She looks like the Queen.” He jogged up the stairs to take Everly’s suitcase and her hand, leading her down the stairs like a debutante attending her first ball.
Everly was a queen all right. There was no doubt about it, but Ronan wouldn’t have it any other way. He loved to tease her about wanting name brand clothes like the snotty rich girls in her second grade class, but the truth of the matter was that Ronan would get a second or third job, if need be, to keep Everly up to date and in vogue.
“Ronan! I can’t find my tote bag!” Ten shouted from the top of the stairs where Ezra was trying desperately to tug him out the door.
“Bye-bye, DA! Bye!” Ezzie yanked Ten’s hand, nearly sending them both down the stairs. Thankfully Ten caught his balance in time.
Ronan stuck his head into the van, to find Everly and Aurora deep in conversation. “Hey, Captain Kidd? Did you happen to shove Dad’s tote bag in your suitcase too?”
Everly giggled and shook her head no. “It’s on the kitchen table. Dad was packing snacks when Ezzie interrupted him to say Mr. Moo went missing.”
“Kitchen table!” Ronan called back to Ten. “Mr. Moo didn’t go on rumspringa. He was Moo-napped.” Ronan dashed up the stairs to grab Ezra and his suitcase. It wouldn’t surprise him one bit to find more of Everly’s clothes or shoes inside. He’d save that battle for later. Ezzie was short and wore small clothes, which left plenty of room for his sister’s dresses and hats.
“Okay, buddy, in you go.” Ronan led his son into the van and buckled him in beside Lizzie.
“We go beach!” Ezzie said, his dark eyes on Ronan, as if he were waiting for his father to disagree.
“In a few minutes. We’re waiting for Dad.”
Ezra’s nose wrinkled. “Bye, Dada! Bye NOW!”
Lizzie and Wolf joined in the chant. “NOW! NOW! NOW!”
“We’ve got our first mutiny and we haven’t even left the house yet.” Ronan got out of the van and ran up the stairs into the house. “Ten? The crew’s getting restless. Ezra’s leading the rebellion to leave you home.” He walked into the kitchen to find Ten sitting at the table looking lost in thought. “Are you okay?”
Ten shook his head, seeming to snap himself out of what he’d been thinking. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a long few weeks.”
Ronan looked his husband over. It had been a long few weeks what with the Autumn Miller situation and the investigations Ten had been working with the cold case team. He, more than anyone, knew how much Ten needed a break. “I promise you’ll have lots of beach time to read and rest. The guys and I will keep the kids out of trouble.”
“Oh really? Who’s gonna keep the three of you out of trouble?” Ten grabbed his tote bag and a bottle of water out of the fridge.
“Great!” Ronan threw his arms in the air dramatically. “I see you’ve joined the mutiny as well.”
“Calm down, Blondebeard.” Ten rubbed his thumb over Ronan’s day-old stubble. “I’m not joining the rebellion.” He paused looking thoughtful. “Unless they have better snacks.” Ten bussed a kiss to Ronan’s cheek.
“Everyone’s a comedian.” Ronan shook his head. He made one last pass through the downstairs making sure the house was secure, before locking the front door and climbing into the van.
“If your ass were any slower, Ronan, you’d be moving in reverse.” Fitzgibbon shifted the van into drive and pulled out into the street.
“Swoe ass!” Ezra cheerfully giggled.
“Kid can’t pronounceslow, but he’s gotassdown pat.” Ronan shook his head.
“That’s because he hears it so often,” Everly chimed in. “I’ve almost got enough money in the swear jar to go to Paris Fashion Week!”
“Who’s gonna tell her the money will only get us to Paris, Maine?” Fitz asked from the front seat.
“Not it!” Ronan and Ten said at the same time.
Fitzgibbon hit the blinker and turned onto I-95 North. “New Hampshire, here we come!”
