Crap on a cracker, I’m an eejit.
“Forgive me, Addy. I’ve overstepped by miles, but you can’t let this woman bulldoze you.”
“I’ve got this,” she assured him, her chin firm, then restored the sound, catching her aunt mid-tirade.
“Enough, Tish,” she snapped, her voice firm and commanding. “Here’s what I’ll do. Since no one in the family is willing to oversee Mom’s care, I will fly out there and meet with her doctor. I will interview in-home caretakers. I will check out assisted-living facilities. And I will hire a lawyer to oversee Mom’s financials and make sure her estate is set up according to her wishes.”
She gave Kieran’s waist a squeeze. “Here’s what I will not do. I will not move back to Smithsville, and I will not listen to one more word about how my life doesn’t measure up to your narrow ideas.”
“Now listen here, Missy—” her aunt spluttered.
“Not one word, Tish.”
And miracle of miracles, the woman shut her trap.
“I’ll text Mom my arrival date. And my departure date.” With a stab of her finger, she ended the call, then groaned and mashed her face into Kieran’s chest.
He hugged her tight, alarmed to feel her shoulders shaking.
“Easy, love,” he murmured into her hair. “It’ll be fine. I’m so proud of you for standing up to that harpy.”
When she raised her flushed face to his, he realized it was laughter making her tremble.
“I’m proud of me too.” She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a long, sweet kiss. “God, I feel marvelous! Why did I wait so long to do that?”
“Dunno,” he said against her lips. “Because you’re a good person?”
She linked her hands behind his neck and leaned back to regard him with an amused grin. “I’ve let ideas about duty keep me from seeing my family for what they really are—self-serving bigots who resent me for escaping their control. They decided long ago I was the family’s odd duck, and they’re determined to net me back into the stagnant pond they’re all swimming in.” She giggled. “And now I’m picturing Aunt Tish quacking in outrage.”
“That describes her voice perfectly.” He slid his hands down her back to rest on the swell of her luscious ass. “It’s not fair they’re counting on you to do all the work for you mother.”
“I know.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “But I need to see for myself what’s going on with her. Chances are fifty-fifty she’s just cranky, but she might have real health problems.”
He kissed her again. “You’re a good daughter, Addy. Don’t ever doubt that.”
“Thank you. And I’m not doing it for them, you know. I’m living up to my own values. No matter what accusations they throw at me, I’ll leave Smithsville knowing I’ve done my duty.”
“And afterward?”
Holding his gaze, she sucked in a deep breath. “Right, my news. I’ve given the Army eleven years, more than fair repayment for medical school. I’m proud to have served my country, but I need to tend to my own wounds now. And Trappers Cove is the best place I can imagine to do that.”
“Addy?” he croaked, hardly daring to believe his ears.
“My military commitment ends in December, and I’m officially job-hunting. I’ve set up an interview with Trappers Cove’s hospital director.”
Kieran’s heart cartwheeled. Too overwhelmed to speak, he lifted her off her feet and spun her around with a whoop of pure joy. Snoot joined their dance, merrily galloping in a circle around them.
“Oh, crap.” Addy wiggled free and crouched to hold her pup’s face in both hands. “What am I gonna do with you while I’m in Nebraska?”
Kieran squatted beside her. “Addy, it would be my honor to keep him while you’re away.” He ruffled the dog’s broad head, and the beast flopped over on his back for a belly rub.
“See? He likes me.” He gave the pup a tickle that made him squirm and whimper with glee.
She joined him in a four-handed dog massage. “We both adore you, Kieran. I just show it in a different way. Though you do make me whimper.”
She nudged him, and he toppled onto his arse, laughing and pulling her down with him. Snoot clambering on top of them, bathing both their faces in doggie kisses, which only made them laugh harder.
“Enough,” Addy finally shouted. “Snoot, bed.”
