“I love it.” Palmer grins.
“I have one question?” comes from Orrin.
“What’s that?” I ask.
A grin tilts his lips. “Who’s next?”
Dad’s laughter is boisterous as it fills the room. “Whoever it is, I’m here for it,” Dad says. He reaches over and takes Remi from Brooks. “We need more of these. Lots more of these.”
“I hear ya, old man,” I tell him. “Let me get a ring on her finger and change her last name, and it's game on.”
“When is that happening?” Ramsey asks.
“Soon,” I say, smiling down at Alyssa. “Very soon.” I seal my lips over hers, and even though we're surrounded by my family, it feels like it’s just the two of us as everything fades away.
* * *
“Alyssa, what happened with your job interviews?” Jade asks.
“They both called me this week and offered me the jobs.” Alyssa’s sitting on my lap outside on the back deck. We’ve just finished eating dinner. She feels me stiffen, places her hand on my arm, and begins to make a soothing circling motion with her thumb.
“And?” Ramsey asks.
“I turned them both down. I knew as soon as I left the interview that I didn’t want the bank. I spent some time thinking about the salon, and honestly, I never should have applied. I don't want to make that commute every day to Atlanta.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Mom asks her.
“Just stick it out where I am for now. I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open for something here in Willow River or in Harris.”
“What are you looking for?” Declan asks. “You plan on staying in healthcare?”
“No. Not necessarily.”
“You have more options now,” I tell her. “You’re moving in with me.”
“Not so you can support me.”
“I know that, Tink. I’m just saying that if you take a pay cut, it’s not going to mean you have to live on Ramen.”
“How do you feel about a mechanic shop?” Declan asks.
“Of course!” Kennedy says excitedly. “Why didn’t we think of this sooner?” she asks her husband.
“I’m lost.” Alyssa laughs.
“I’ve been meaning to hire someone to run the office. Answer the phone, schedule service, take money, those kinds of things. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends for far too long, and with the baby coming, I want to spend more time at home with my wife and kids. I don’t want to stay over to answer voice mails I didn’t get to during the day and balance out the drawer.”
“The best decision I ever made,” Orrin chimes in. “I tried to do it all on my own too. I’d be lost without Sarah.”
“You’d really consider me?” Alyssa asks.
I can see her wheels turning. While she’d said she didn’t want a job offer from one of my brothers, that was before we admitted our feelings for one another. She’s not just my best friend anymore. She’s going to be my wife, and Declan’s sister-in-law.
Declan laughs. “Alyssa, the job is yours if you want it. You’re family. I trust you, and that’s a key component for that position.”
“Yes.” Alyssa nods. “I don’t even care what it pays. My boyfriend made an excellent point earlier. I don’t have to stress as much because we share that now.”
“I love you.” My voice is loud and clear. The ladies are in awe, and my brothers, those who are not ass over heels in love, tell me I’m pussy-whipped.