I managed a laugh. “I’m not excited about Bronagh bein’ upset or possibly dyin’ of a hangover. I’m excited that nothin’ else is worryin’ me.”
Ryder brushed a few strands of hair from my face. “What else would be bothering you?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “And that’s what bothers me. I have nothin’ else to worry over, yet I still worry. Not all the time. Just sometimes. When things are feelin’ too good to be true.”
Ryder’s features tensed a little.
“Branna,” he began. “I can’t convince you, given my past, but nothing else is going to happen to us. Not only have we suffered more than enough for one lifetime, but everyone who had a grudge against us is dead.”
And thank God for that.
“I know that, I do. I just can’t help but expect somethin’ bad to happen.”
Ryder frowned.
“You can’t be blamed,” he said softly. “It’s not like bad things haven’t happened one after the other since we met.”
I hadn’t meant to make him feel guilty, so I took his hands in mine and placed them on my stomach.
“Somethin’ incredible has happened since we met too.”
Ryder’s expression changed to one of joy.
“You’re precious to me, Sweetness,” he said, lifting his hands to my face. “You and our baby—you both mean life itself to me. I love you.”
I placed my hands on his. “I love you, too.”
He grinned. “Call your sister.”
Ryder went into the kitchen and started on our dinner, while I dialled my sister’s number into my phone.
“Hello?” Dominic answered on the third ring.
“Brother-in-law,” I mused. “Is me sister alive?”
“Define alive?”
I grinned. “Is she breathin’?”
“Let me check... yep, she’s breathing,” he confirmed. “Sweating and drooling, too.”
“Nice.” I snorted.
“Will you stop shoutin’, Dominic?” my sister’s voice pleaded through the receiver of my phone. “Me head is goin’ to explode.”
“I’ve been whispering all morning.”
“Lies,” Bronagh rasped. “I heard you bangin’ pots and pans for no other reason than to cause me pain.”
“I was putting the dishes away.”
“Yeah, right,” my sister groaned. “Is there a reason you’re in ‘ere?”
“I wanted to ask you a question.”
“Shoot.”
“What’s your perfect morning?” Dominic asked.
“No one talkin’ to me,” Bronagh replied.
“I knew you’d say that.”
“Babe, I love you with me entire heart, but please, fuck off.”
“Language,” he teased. “Your sister is on the phone.”
“Give it ‘ere then,” she grumbled.
I heard Dominic’s chuckling then a loud, pained groan.
“You should have raised me better,” Bronagh whined. “You should have preached how evil alcohol really is.”
I smiled. “Would you have believed me?”
Silence.
“Probably not.” My sister sighed. “Anyway, good mornin’.”
“Mornin’, sister dearest.”
More groaning.
“I hate meself with every fibre in me body,” she said softly. “I’ve never felt so ill in me entire life.”
“If it makes you feel better, you gave me, Keela and the lads a right laugh.”
“It doesn’t make me feel better; it makes me feel worse.”
I laughed. “Sorry.”
“Are you really?”
“No.” I cackled.
Bronagh began to laugh but quickly groaned in pain.
“Dominic,” she called. “Can you get me a painkiller?”
“Two pills and a glass of water are already on your nightstand.”
“Oh,” Bronagh replied. “I love you.”
“I know,” came his response.
“Aw,” I cooed. “How sweet.”
“Shut up,” she grumbled. “These tablets better take me headache away before I cry me eyes out.”
I waited until she took her painkillers and rehydrated herself.
She smacked her lips together and said, “That water was the nicest thing I’ve ever swallowed.”
Don’t let Dominic hear you say that.
I shook my head. “I’m sure it was.”
“I’ve either had the worst nightmare ever, or they’re flashbacks from last night. I’m seriously prayin’ for the former.”
“Fire some of them at me, and I’ll let you know.”
“Karaoke with Lana.”
“Flashback.”
“Almost getting kicked out of the pub for strippin’.”
“Flashback.”
“Dancing on the stage.”
“Flashback.”
“Kissin’ Lana.”
“Nightmare... I think.”
“Oh, my God.” Bronagh groaned.
I chuckled.
“I don’t know why I’ve done this to meself.”
“I do. You were sad over Georgie possibly self-weanin’.”
“She’s definitely weanin’,” Bronagh mumbled. “She drank a full eight-ounce bottle last night and slept through the night for the first time ever. She had another bottle this morning and some pureed breakfast, Dominic said.” My sister sighed. “I held ‘er on me chest and she didn’t even hint for me boob. I still can’t believe it.”
“I know, kid, but it’ll get easier for you.”
“I hope so because I feel pretty damn useless right about now.”
“You still have to do everythin’ you’ve been doin’ for her but just usin’ a bottle and a spoon now.”
“I guess,” Bronagh mumbled.
“Want to hear somethin’ shitty about my day?” I offered.
“Of course,” came my sister’s immediate response.
I chuckled. “Guess who discovered a billion purple stretch marks on ‘er body?”
My sister winced. “It’s that bad?”
“It’s like a roadmap to hell, and I’m only in me second trimester.”
Bronagh laughed. “You’re probably bein’ dramatic.”
“No, Bee, seriously, they’re everywhere.”
“Well, they’ll fade eventually, if it’s any consolation?”
“It is,” I said. “Ten minutes ago I’d have told you to shove that consolation up your arse, but me fabulous husband made me feel beautiful —”