Page 40 of Callahan

“I lucked out. I bought it from the original owners. It was their pride and joy. Then one day they decided they wanted to move to a retirement community, and because they knew I was looking for a place, agreed to sell it to me without even putting it on the market.”

“Life in a small town, huh?” I quipped.

“There’s nothing like it.”

I would agree with that.

He waved his hand, indicating I should follow him. We passed the staircase and kept going down the hall.

“I thought it’d be better if you slept in the guest room on the main floor. You probably shouldn’t be climbing stairs for at least a few days.”

He opened a solid wooden door to reveal a simple guest room with a queen size mattress. The Queen Anne-style headboard, footboard, and dressers all matched, and the stark-white comforter and throw pillows with varying shades of blue provided a nice contrast to the cherry wood. Two smaller Oriental rugs with blue hues lay on either side of the bed, along with one at the foot of the bed, underneath a blue velvet-upholstered bench. Sheer white curtains framed a picture window that provided a view into the backyard.

I placed my backpack on the bench and walked toward the window to get a better look at the grassy area.

“I’ve been told the bed’s comfortable, so hopefully you can get some rest like Dr. Williams suggested. But, feel free to roamaround. My pantry isn’t bare, but it’s not what I’d call “well-stocked.” If you can find it, you can eat or drink it.”

I laughed. “Lainey said that exact thing to me last night.”

“Must be a Haven Springs thing. Anyway, I need to make a few rounds of patrol through town before I swing by the hardware store for Lainey’s locks. After I’m done at her place, I’ll stop at Publix for our steaks.” He glanced at his watch then pulled out his phone. “I should be back around six-thirty but give me your number so I can let you know in case I’m going to be later.”

I rattled off my number. Seconds later, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket, and Brian said, “And now you have mine.”

I laughed again. “And I literally told Lainey that same thing yesterday.”

There was a glint in his eye when he replied, “It’s almost like you belong here,” then walked out the door.

Did I?

It kind of felt like it.

I shook my head. I couldn’t stay. Lainey was too big a temptation. Or I was too weak. Either way, I needed to head to Lancastle where I belonged.

Away from my dead friend’s girl and their baby.

****

Lainey

Saturdays were usually slower, so Paulina had been able to manage the clean-up on her own while I got the baking done for Sunday’s half day. After she left and Conor had been fed, instead of letting my little guy fall back asleep, I pulled his baby bather seat out and put him in the sink. He squealed and thrashed his arms and legs. I laughed out loud at his startled face when the water splashed his face.

I think my shirt was more soaked than my child when I pulled him from the makeshift tub a minute before Brian texted that he was at my door.

I unlocked the lock and turned the knob, announcing, “Perfect timing!” as the door swung open.

Brian’s face lit up when he saw Conor wide awake in my arms in nothing but a hooded towel that was supposed to make him look like a seal.

“There’s my godson!” he exclaimed as he held out his hands.

It wasn’t official yet, but I’d agreed to let Conor be baptized in the Catholic church in October. I knew it was important to Shawn’s family, and frankly, it wasn’t a hill I cared to die on as long as they honored a few of my requests. Brian was going to be his godfather, and Jade, my sister, his godmother—something Kristy was still salty about.

I would do it for the O’Briens and make them happy. I owed them that. Hugh and Teresa had been so kind to me, making me Shawn’s beneficiary even though they hadn’t had to, throwing me a baby shower, and just stopping by with unexpected presents and food at least once a week. And I knew they were anxious to spend more time with their grandson, which they could do once he took a bottle.

I transferred Conor into Brian’s waiting hands, and he immediately brought his nose to the baby’s cheek.

“God, I love how babies smell! Especially after a bath. There’s something about the scent of baby shampoo.”

“I know, right?” I waved a pink bottle at him. “And lotion.”

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