Page 151 of Callahan

She nodded. “I think so, too.”

There was a lot of commotion outside the room, and I smirked.

“I think the calvary has arrived. Let’s get you out of here.”

Lainey looked around like she’d smelled something bad. “Yes, let’s.”

We took a step forward, but I stopped her. “Wait. I have to do something for my brother.”

“What?”

“This.”

I scooped her up in a bridal carry and grinned as I walked out the door and past my brother with her in my arms.

“Way to go, Adam!” He clapped, parodying the movie I was emulating. “Way to go!”

Chapter Fifty-Six

Lainey

At Bess’s trial, it came out that she’d seen that Earl and Joe—Earl’s nephew that had been hiding out at the Schillings’—were watching me on hidden camera.

She was afraid of Earl, obviously, and thought the best solution would be to try and scare me in order to get me to leave.

Bess willingly gave me the bakery’s building, free and clear, and the judge sentenced her to time served and probation.

Joe wasn’t so lucky.

Fortunately, he took a plea deal that locked him up for fifteen years, and I didn’t have to testify. Or have the naked videos of me on display in court for the world to see.

The police did a sweep of my apartment and took the hidden cameras down, but it still creeped me out to be there, so Conor and I moved in with Adam, and I rented out the apartment.

Between not having a rent payment, and the apartment rental income, I had a lot more breathing room and was able to hire more help. That let me stay home with Conor more, much to Teresa and Hugh’s chagrin. So, Adam and I had a standing date every Friday in order for Nana and Pop O’Brien to watch their grandson.

And, with Adam’s encouragement, I started wearing Shawn’s ring on my right hand. He’d explained that the ring brought us together, and it’d be a shame to keep it in a box in my jewelry armoire. I agreed and put it on.

Adam held me in his arms and whispered, “I promise I’ll get you one for your left hand, too.”

I looked up at him and smiled. “I’m in no rush.”

“Me neither. But when do you think we can start trying for a brother or sister for Conor?”

“Maybe after he turns a year old.”

****

Adam

I proposed the day after Conor’s first birthday, and we started trying that night.

Epilogue

Brian

I heard the beeping sounds first.

Then came the distinctive smell.

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