Page 114 of Love Thief

“Can they hear me?” he asks reverently as one of them kicks out at him.

I jerk, as it was a big one. “Yep. Looks like all those songs I played them paid off. They know you.”

He grins and closes his eyes. “I love you, Kitten. And I love our family, all four of them.”

We leave the shower, feeling like more than our bodies are clean. I feel lighter—which, considering my size, is an achievement—I feel cleansed.

As we dress and get ready to go see our family downstairs together, his phone pings and he looks at me. “James. I’d better tell him I’m here so he can stop his barrage.”

James

Welcome home Dad – I love you both. Kiss mum and my brothers for me.

Bucky

Welcome home Dad – I love you both. Kiss mum and my brothers for me. P.S. did you know I got an A in geography?

Me

Fucking Kids

Epilogue

EVIE

I’m up and about early, full of energy this morning.

We’ve had two days of late nights and parties, with Halloween being a huge bash. The family Purcell came for it, as had Jonno, arriving in the early hours of the first of November. Just in time, in fact, to be dragged over to the island with the others for some ceremony.

“Himself is on a recruitment drive, and I keep telling everyone to beware. You’ll all be full Highlanders in no time,” laughed Xander the next day.

The outing for the day is the local Point-to-Point, a popular amateur horse racing event. Lots of people from far and wide attend, with locals and racing enthusiasts flocking to the course. It’s a bit of a drive to the other side of the village, and I’m not looking forward to it. I already know the terrain will be tough on my back.

I’ve had lots of pain over the last twenty-four hours, and, in the end, I decide to give it a miss and stay at home. I’m psyching myself up for the ride back to London. I need to be nearer the hospital, and intended to go in two days’ time.

My shadow, Eamonn Purcell, stays back with me. He’s been stuck to my legs for the last few days, only going out if I did, busying himself running errands for Himself and Xan around the house.

At the last moment, Xan and Kellen opt to stay with me as well, sending everyone else on their way. The only other soul in the house is Aileen, who’s cooking up a storm for the ‘All Souls Day’ dinner this evening.

The sun is out, a surprisingly clear November day, and I shout for Eamonn to go for a walk. Hearing Xan and Kellen in the study discussing rents, I pop my head around the door, expecting them to be both working. Instead, they’re drinking whisky.

“Really? it's not even mid-day,” I scold them.

“It’s a taste test,” argues Xan, coming over to kiss me. And touch my stomach. He’s as bad as Kellen and Eamonn. Constantly touching, talking, rubbing, kissing the babies and, therefore, me. I just let them get on with it. They’re like magnets.

“I’m going for a walk with Eamonn, down past the Fairy House to the loch side. If you can pull yourselves away from the taste test…”

Xander’s hugging me. “No, too busy.” He grins, letting me go.

“Yeah, agreed.” Kell smirks, leaning back farther in his chair. “Let us know when you’re back.”

Eamonn skids into view with coats and boots in his hands. “Got everything, Aunty Kitten,” he says, dropping it all in front of me.

Kell stands and helps me into my coat as Xander helps with my boots. I haven’t seen my feet in a while, so I’m grateful for any help on that front.

We move through the property, walking slowly while Eamonn chats on about the estate—he knows everyone and their business. He’s a very inquisitive boy, so charming, he grins at people and they instantly do what he wants them to. A skill I’m sure he’ll use well in life.

We walk through the arch of the Fairy House, into the courtyard and out under the arch beyond down toward the loch. The sun is already high in the sky, as it gets dark early here, but it’s glinting off the loch. Eamonn tries to spot wildlife to point out to me as we continue our trek.

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