“I do, too, and I hate carrying around hate for anyone, but with him… It’s hard not to feel that way.”
“You have every right to feel like that about him, and so do your mom and siblings.”
“Still… It’s a hell of a thing to carry around when all you want is to be free from the past so you can enjoy all the good things happening now.”
“I hope Dr. McCarthy can help Johnny find a way forward with Niall. I loved them together. They seemed so happy.”
“I know. I hope so, too.” He ran his hand up and down her arm, which ached badly the day after getting her cast off. “I never got the chance to ask about your visit with the kids.”
“They were so happy to see me, and the babies have gotten so big!”
“Did you decide about when you want to go back to work?”
“I’m going to try for part time next week and see how that goes. They really need the help, especially with Mac’s brother and his wife about to bring home quads.”
“Four babies. That’s a lot.”
“Sure is, and they’re going to need Big Mac and Linda, who’ve been helping Maddie while I was laid up.”
“What a baby boom.”
“I know, especially for the McCarthys. They have six new grandkids with two more coming soon.”
“That’s a lot of kids.”
“Sure is.”
“How’s the pain?” she asked, knowing it was always more intense at the end of the day.
“A little better than it was.”
“I’m sorry it’s still so bad.”
“It’s nothing like it was at first, so that’s progress.” He gave her a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. “I’m looking forward to picking up where we left off when Ethel messed with us.”
“Me, too.”
“Are you blushing?”
“I don’t do that anymore.”
Jeff laughed—hard. “Right.”
“It’s not nice to laugh at your future wife.”
“I’m not laughing at her…”
“You’re the only one laughing!”
“I can’t help it. You’re so cute when you lie.”
“I do not lie.”
“You’re even cuter when you’re indignant.”
“Let’s talk about something else before I forget you’re still injured and give you a smack that you deserve.”
His low chuckle pleased her because it meant he wasn’t thinking about the pain that’d persisted much longer than either of them had expected it to.
