Page 42 of Callahan

“Probably not, but it’ll help me sleep better, so humor me.”

I kissed his cheek. “Thank you for looking out for us.”

“Of course. You’re family.”

“Thank you, Bri. That means a lot.”

I noticed he cast a look at my ringless fingers but didn’t say anything as he went about checking the windows.

Chapter Eighteen

Adam

Brian brought home two bags of groceries that contained steak, potatoes, a can of green beans, and a bag of salad—along with a bottle of Ranch dressing. My sweet tooth also appreciated the strawberry pie he got for dessert. I’d already scarfed down both tarts Lainey sent home with us. (The blueberry was my favorite.)

I kind of felt like a freeloader, so I tried to be helpful and peeled the potatoes before boiling them to be mashed. I also opened the bag of salad and dumped it in a serving bowl, then opened the can of beans and cooked them on the stove.

It turned out, Brian could grill a mean steak, and we had a nice dinner on his patio, swapping stories about Shawn. It was bittersweet to reminisce about my Marine brother.

He’d been a good dude, and I was honored I got to be a part of his life.

“I think Shawn would be glad to know you’re watching out for Lainey and Conor,” I remarked as I took a swig of lemonade while enviously eyeing Brian’s beer. I was under strict orders to avoid alcohol while my brain healed.

“The whole town has taken them under their wing.”

“She hasn’t mentioned her family.”

“They’re in the picture, although I’m kind of under the impression Lainey was the wild child of the family. Her parents are retired and moved to Savanah when she went away to college. Her brother, Daniel, graduated a few years ahead of me. I think he’s like a lobbyist or something in Washington D.C. Which makes sense since he was president of his class.

“Jade, her older sister, was a year behind me in school, and if I remember correctly, she’s super smart. I was kind ofsurprised we didn’t run into her today in the ER, she’s a nurse there; maybe she works nights now or it was her day off. She and I are going to be Conor’s godparents when he’s baptized in October.”

“So, is her sister Catholic?”

“No, but Jade being his godmother was one of Lainey’s conditions if she was going to allow Conor to be baptized in the church. Technically her sister can only be a ‘Christian witness’. But since only one godparent needs to be Catholic, and I am, Father Daniels isn’t making a big deal out of the semantics.”

“Why is she waiting until October to have him baptized?”

“That was another condition—she wants him to be six months old before he’s around a bunch of strangers. Because she knows damn well that Hugh and Teresa, along with Granny O’Brien, are going to want to have a huge luncheon afterward and invite the whole town.”

Yeah, that tracked.

“Well, let me know the date so I can be sure to come.”

“Oh, I have no doubt you’re already on the guest list.”

I decided to tease my host a little.

“Are you taking a nice Catholic girl as your date? I’m sure that would make Granny O’Brien’s day.”

“Uh, no. If she brings that shit up one more time…”

“You’re her surrogate grandson. She wants to see one of her grandkids get married in the church.”

“Maybe Shawn’s sister, Katelyn, will come through for her.”

“So, there are no nice Catholic girls in town?”

“Why? Are you considering staying?”

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