Page 19 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
How had no one suggested this?
As Robbie peeled back the diaper he was helping Tim change, he nearly let out a cry at the contents. No chemical spill could be as bad as this mess. Carefully, he drew the diaper out and folded it, trying not to gag. Cassidy kicked her little legs, babbling, as she lay on the living room floor on the changing pad Tim had snuck under her, clearly unaware they were saving her from the battery acid she’d emitted.
Talk about bad luck. He shouldn’t be still thinking about the gorgeous blonde they’d just met on the beach, one both mega-hot and sweet. Was the universe laughing at him? Was this its follow-up joke after he’d thought closing a case on a bad guy was better than sex? It had to deliver a girl he would totally go for normally at a time when it was impossible.
“Ugh!” Reagan’s face scrunched up. “That’s the most magic you’ve ever had, Cassidy. Too bad you don’t make glitter instead of poop.”
Cassidy giggled in response. How could she be so happy when she stunk so bad?
Billie nudged him hard in the ribs. “I’m going to have nightmares. You owe me, brother. Likea case of Irish whiskeyowe me.”
“Look.” Robbie gave him a shove back as he secured the radioactive package. “It’s not my fault she had a hurricane in there.”
“’Cane,” Cassidy said, clapping as she lay on her back.
Tim lifted her up. “Someone grab me our new baby garbage pail. I’m going to need a lot of wipes.”
Robbie felt the urge to hurl, but he grabbed the can after depositing the diaper. Cassidy tried to roll onto her side to see what was going on. “Grab her,” Tim cried as Billie lurched forward on the floor to gently hold her in place. “She’s a shifty one. Who knew anyone who looked so sweet could do a poopsie like this?”
A poopsie?He and Billie traded a look. Tim was showing them why he’d been voted Nurse of the Month six times at the retirement home, a record their father had told them all about. Suddenly, all he could think about was how his dad was faring in Ireland. Probably worried sick. Kathleen, too.
He wondered if the Kellys had visited O’Connor’s Pub or any of his other brothers. They’d probably gone by Billie’s two mechanic shops, but the guys who worked there knew how to wield a wrench or a crowbar. Some of Billie’s guys had even done time, although not for anything that would make Robbie worry about having them around his family.
The biggest concern he had right now was about Tim’s girlfriend. If the Kellys sent someone to check out the retirement home, they might find out he was dating another nurse. They could question her. Maybe even grab her.
When he’d shared his concerns with Tim, his brother had told him not to worry. The relationship wasn’t public, given they worked together, and it had only started three months ago, so there was no reason for the Kellys to find out. Besides, he hadn’t told Helen about Tara or the kids—he’d just said he had to leave town to help his brother with an urgent family matter and couldn’t be in touch while he was gone.
God, it was too bad he and Mickey had agreed that his partner would have no contact with any of the O’Connors while he was gone, but it had seemed wise since Mickey was working with Internal Affairs. He had to be extra careful with everything at stake.
“Earth to Robbie,” Tim called after sanitizing his hands. “I’m ready for the fresh diaper.”
“Here.” He snagged one from the bedazzled diaper bag, which was now thankfully free of mob money, and thrust it out. “And don’t make this worse by quoting Shakespeare.”
“Yeah,” Billie added in solidarity. “Don’t do it, Timmy.”
Since they’d been stupid and given Tim ammunition with the whole Shakespeare crap, their baby brother had been a quoting fountain, knowing it was driving them nutters. Worse, the girls loved it when Tim poured on a British accent and belted out those “funny words” as Reagan called them.
“Too bad. I had the perfect one fromHamlet,” Tim said, deftly affixing the diaper and lifting Cassidy up for a kiss on the cheek.
“I want to hear it!” Reagan cried, jumping up and down.
“Please!” Cassidy added, throwing out her chubby little arms.
“My offense is rank, it smells to heaven.”
His lyrical booming British voice was completely different from his usual rough Southie accent. It was incredible. Suddenly, Robbie wished he could take a video and share it with the rest of the family. Even if it was ridiculous, it would be a good laugh. God, he even missed sending around his stupid criminal videos. His mood crashed.
He was used to action. To doing what he wanted, when he wanted. Now he was in Kiddieville, changing diapers, dressing Barbies, and preparing chicken nuggets. His bravest act was chasing a toddler down so she didn’t drown in the ocean. Jesus, this trip was already killing him. And the cat still hated him…
He spied the family room, sensing it was around.
“Hey!” Billie gave him another nudge to the ribs. “What about our beautiful neighbors? Especially that angel, Summer—”
“We’re here to look after the girls.” Even Tim turned from making baby faces at Cassidy at the sound of his gruff voice. “I was just thinking it was fate’s big joke on me to meet a woman I’d like to ask out while we’re here, but let’s stay focused.”
“You’d like to ask herout?” Billie glanced at Tim, and then both of them stared at their older brother. Even Reagan was studying him, which made Cassidy turn her big blue eyes toward him too.
“My oldest brother who has been off women—”
