Page 50 of One Bride for Three Single Dads

He unbuckles his seatbelt, which I notice he was dutiful about doing. There was nobody to check and make sure that we followed the rules, but Ambrose did it anyway, because that is just how he is.

Crawling over to me, he wraps his arm around me and stares out the window over my shoulder, kissing me lightly on the neck.

Shivers race up and down my arms. It has been almost a day since I felt his touch! I didn’t even realize how much I missed it. I squeeze him back, happy to have this private moment.

“I think that is Ireland, babe,” he whispers in my ear from behind, giving me a whole new course of shivering. “I am so glad you’re here with me.”

“I am so glad to be here with you, too,” I smile, nuzzling his cheek with mine.

Chapter 21

BOONE

That was so refreshing!

That was probably the best airplane ride of my entire life. We land in Ireland, and I feel amazing. The jet touches down lightly at the private airport in Cork, while the kids press themselves up against the window to see a whole new country.

A whole new continent, even. Wow.

As the jet taxis slowly toward the hangar, Jolene leans across the seats to grab some stray crayons that have found their way to the edges of the carpet. I reach out and slide my hand up the back of her thigh while no one is looking.

She twists and looks at me over her shoulder, eyebrows raised.

“Not so bad, huh?” I ask her. “Really fast!”

“Are you kidding me?” she asks me slowly.

I notice that her hair is a little disheveled. There are pale charcoal circles under her eyes as she glares at me with a fistful of crayons.

“No, why would I would be kidding?”

She walks away in a huff. I don’t know what her problem is.

I guess I expected a limousine, but the short, compact bus that is parked outside the folding stairway makes a lot more sense. The kids chatter excitedly as we step out into the drizzly, foggy morning.

Finally! Ireland!

The driver opens the passenger door. No. Wait. I guess that is the driver’s side. She hauls herself out, a stout woman of about fifty. Her cheeks are ruddy and plump. She wears a knit cap and a vest buttoned up over her work shirt.

“Morning!” she calls out as she waves.

Alexis glances at Harrison, apparently thrilled to hear the woman’s accent.

“Good morning. Thank you for meeting us,” Ambrose smiles, shaking her hand politely.

“The officer asked me to collect you,” she nods. “All set? We’ve a long journey.”

Alexis nudges Jolene with her elbow. Jolene smiles and nods conspiratorially. I know that they did some homework on Irish popular culture this last week.

Jolene does that kind of thing. I don’t know where she got her training or anything, but it is really good. She always seems to know exactly what the kids are into, and makes sure they have what they need to be entertained and motivated.

It occurs to me all of a sudden that I lost something…

Worry. I forgot to worry.

When did that happen?

A smile creeps across my face as I watch everybody climbing into the little bus. Jolene picks Cole up under his arms and begins to fasten him into the booster seat that she ordered for the transportation. He grins at her, happy to be with her, as always.

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