Page 144 of Renewal After Dark

“Eight first cousins and a brother who’s also a McCarthy,” Laura said.

“There’re McCarthys everywhere I look around here,” McKenzie said.

“Adam’s wife, Abby, owns the Attic.” Laura pointed toward the lobby gift shop. “She’s in Providence, now on full bed rest awaiting the arrival of quadruplets.”

“Damn,” McKenzie said. “Four of them.”

“Right?” Stephanie patted her belly. “Thank God I’m only having one.”

“I had twins and thought I’d die the first couple of months,” Laura said. “I can’t fathom four.”

“I can’t fathom months of in-patient bed rest,” Stephanie added. “Ugh. Poor Abby.”

“I know,” Laura said. “But I’m relieved she’s being monitored around the clock. I was worried about her being out here during such a high-risk pregnancy.”

“Grant said the same thing last night,” Stephanie said. To McKenzie, she said, “When you’re done with Laura and Piper, come into the Bistro. Have I got a job for you!”

McKenzie laughed. “Everyone says that.”

“Some of us really mean it,” Stephanie said.

“We’re all set for now,” Laura said, “so Ms. McKenzie is all yours, Steph.”

“Right this way, my new best friend.”

Duke finishedup early at the shop and headed home, hoping to spend more time with McKenzie and Jax. Normally, he’d go to the gym and then stop by the Beachcomber for dinner with his friends. But nothing was normal since they’d come into his life, and that was fine with him.

He was unreasonably disappointed that the truck wasn’t in the driveway when he arrived. The letdown had him laughing at himself and how ridiculous he’d become over her and her little guy.

He’d found it hard to concentrate on anything with the vivid memories from last night running through his mind like the best movie he’d ever seen.

After he stashed the bike in the garage, he heard voices next door, so he took a walk over to check on the progress at the cabin.

Mac was there with a clipboard and iPad as he pointed to something on the screen while talking to his cousin Riley.

Since Duke had last been there, they’d cleared the debris from the site and had bagged up the items they’d found inside. When McKenzie got home, they’d bring the truck over to transport the bags to his garage.

“Hey, Duke,” Mac said. “How’s it going?”

“It’s a good day to be alive.”

“Ain’t that the truth? I love this time of year.”

“Me, too. Cool and sunny and quiet after the summer madness.”

“Yep, that’s it exactly.”

“I’m heading into town to pick up supplies from the ferry landing,” Riley said.

“Sounds good,” Mac said. “See you after a bit.”

“Later, Duke.”

“Take care, Riley.”

“Must be fun to have your cousins working with you,” Duke said after Riley had left.

“It is. He and his brother, Finn, are a great asset to the company, and so’s my other cousin Shane. Wouldn’t be any fun without them.”

---