Page 52 of Love Takes Home

“Then all I have to say is treat her well, so I don’t have to kill you.”

“I could say the same to you. Trish doesn’t have a brother to give you that statement.”

“Bullshit. They might be younger, but I’m more terrified of them than I’ve ever been of you.”

“Did you all hear any news about the kid today?”

“Only that he’s going to be okay. They still aren’t saying much.”

“The town certainly is,” I mutter.

“You saw the Facebook group?”

“They were quick to turn off comments, but not quick enough. Glad her friend and Elle were watching.”

“Have a feeling Mr. Klien was trying to get in front of Trish having an opportunity to add anything.”

“Smart man,” I reply.

“You told the other guys yet?”

“You were our first stop.”

“Well, aren’t I privileged?”

“You’re family.”

We’re shooting the shit when Harper marches into the kitchen and stops in front of me with her hands on her hips.

“I shipped you two a year ago. It’s about time you got your heads out of your behinds and fell in line.”

I love this girl. She’s going to rule the fucking world one day.

“Thanks, Harp, I guess?”

“Now, can you hurry up and get married? I’ve got the betting pool up and running and I’d like to win.”

I laugh and pull her in for a quick hug. “You’re the best, Harper.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Then you should also know that twenty-four hours into a relationship is probably too quick to pull the married thing.”

“Not if you go to Vegas. You can blame it on the alcohol.”

“Harper!” Trish admonishes from the open doorway.

“What? I’m just saying. Chop-chop you two!”

“I thought you were Little Miss No-Man-Will-Ever-Tell-Me-What-To-Do?” I ask her.

“Yeah, well, I’m not ancient like you two are.”

“You realize we aren’t that much older than you, right?” I ask, trying to keep my laughter under control.

“It seems that ‘much’ has different meanings for the two of us, Uncle J. And obviously, you’re done having fun. Aunt Ginny’s a teacher and they aren’t allowed to have fun.”

“I don’t know who fed you that line of bullshit, kid, but teachers are some of the freakiest people I know.” Trish laughs, elbowing Ginny.

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