Page 65 of Wicked Devotions: Part 2

“It was. I’m glad he asked me to come out today.”

“Want to hear something even wilder than that?”

“Always.”

“My mom is sleeping with Cillian and her bodyguard.”

“What?” That is truly shocking. More shocking than our big open relationship. “How do you know?”

“Declan saw them last night when he walked past the den.” She bursts into laughter. “You should have seen his face when he came back upstairs.”

“Were they hooking up with the door open or something? Did he actually see them?” I probably would have passed out.

“I think it was cracked open; he said he only saw enough to know everyone was participating.”

“Holy shit.” It’s hard to wrap my mind around Annabelle, who was always so prim and proper, a true southern lady through and through, doing that. More power to her, though. As long as she’s happy and safe, it’s all that matters.

After a few minutes, Harper drifts off to sleep. I watch her for a bit, just taking in how peaceful and happy she seems. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for her. To find a way for everything to work for us, a way to stay together but each be fulfilled by the type of life we envisioned all along. Everything is falling into place perfectly.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

HARPER

The storm that swept through last night blew down a few trees so the guys, including Cillian and Felix, left to clean them up before I was even awake. Mom’s sitting at the island sipping coffee and reading a book when I walk into the kitchen with a yawn. She looks up at me with a smile.

“Good morning.”

“Morning,” I mumble as I start the kettle for a cup of tea.

“I was thinking about taking a walk along the shore in a little bit if you want to come with me. We can see if any pretty shells washed ashore.”

“That sounds fun.” I’m already dressed in joggers and a hoodie, so I don’t need to change. “I’ll make this in a travel mug and then we can go.”

I switch the ceramic mug for one of Cillian’s travel mugs and pour the boiling water over the teabag. While that cools for a minute I grab a banana and smear a little peanut butter on top ofit. It isn’t a great breakfast, but I’ll have something heartier when we get back. I pull one of my mom’s baseball caps on as we walk out through the mudroom.

The sun shines brightly through a cloudless sky, although the winds are still heavy. Waves crash onto the sandy beach and against the rocky jetty. The air is crisp as we walk through the yard and toward the small dunes leading to the beach.

“This really is the most idyllic spot to put a house,” I say as I kick off my sandals and let my toes sink into the cool sand.

“I know. Between this little beach, the acres of wooded flatland, and the other shore with its rockier coast, I think we have the best of all worlds right here.”

“I completely agree.” A wave washes over my feet, the cold water of the Atlantic sends a chill up my spine. “So what’s going on with you? How’s life with Cillian?”

“It’s been incredible.” She stops to examine a shell and then sets it back down and stands up. “It started as a business arrangement, as you know.”

“Yes.” I don’t want to push her to reveal too much yet, so I don’t say anything else.

“It’s not anymore.” She stops and grabs my hand. “I think I’m in love with him.”

“That’s wonderful, Mom. You deserve to be in a relationship with love. Is it mutual? Have you said anything to him yet?”

“No. After everything with your father, I just can’t. Looking back on our relationship, everything changed when I gave him those words. You might be the only one to ever hear them from me forever.”

“I get that, but don’t let him win by keeping yourself closed off. I think it’s obvious that Cillian is not Scott.” I’m sick of calling him my father, he never deserved the title. “He cares about us. He’d go to battle for us. I trust him.”

“He would. It does help to know how you feel. I didn’t know it would turn out like this when I agreed to his proposal.”

---