Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81504 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81504 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 408(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
I hear the crunching of tires on gravel, and a moment later, the heavy gates swing open. I wring my hands, walking under the trellis.
Today’s the day.
The car comes slowly up the driveway, and as the sun glints on the roof, I wonder for a moment if it’s him. But then a moment later, it comes to a stop, the door opens, and I hear Tully’s gritty, booming voice.
“There’s my girl.”
I nearly clap my hands with glee.
I run to him, he opens up his arms, and he swings me up in the air.
“Get a feckin’ room,” Tiernan mutters from the driver’s seat, but we ignore him.
“Fancy a walk, Tully?” I ask him, trying to sound all nonchalant, but failing miserably.
“You alright, lass?” he asks, his dark eyes glinting beneath drawn brows.
“Oh… aye,” I say, but there’s enough hesitation in my tone it rouses his suspicion.
“McKenna,” he says warningly.
“I’m fine, Tully.”
“Did one of those boys at school pull something in class before they left? Honest to God, I will have a word with Malachy—”
“Tully, no. The boys were fine.”
He nods. “Nothing amiss in Scotland?”
“Not at all. Everything’s right as rain.”
He nods, frowning, but I quickly change the subject.
“A walk, please?”
He takes my hand and leads me down the path so familiar to all of us, it’s worn down from the feet that have crossed it time and time again. Soon, we can hear the waves crashing on the shore below us, as we make our way to the cliffs.
I sit by the edge, on a large, flat rock, and pat the ground beside me.
He grunts, but folds his large form down beside me.
I reach for his hand.
“Remember how a few weeks ago, I felt sick and we assumed it was something we’d eaten in town, since you were sick as well?”
“Aye,” he says hesitantly, holding my gaze.
I nod and smile. “Well, it seems that was a bit of a coincidence.”
He looks puzzled.
“Remember how I’ve been falling asleep beside you every damn night, and we can’t even get through one episode of damn near anything before I’m snoring against your shoulder?”
“Mmm. What of it? You’re a tired girl after all that teaching.”
“Aye, well…” I draw in a breath. “I’m three months pregnant, Tully.”
He blinks. He blinks again. Then he gives me that boyish grin and that wide smile that makes me swoon Every. Single. Time.
“McKenna,” he says softly, his voice overcome with emotion. Then his voice goes a bit hoarse. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “I’ve known for a few weeks, but wanted to wait, you know. I… I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
He shakes his head and drags me over to him, kissing the top of my head, holding me so tightly I can hardly breathe.
“There’s nothing you could do that would ever disappoint me, lass. Nothing.”
I let him hold me, basking in the warmth of his touch. I swallow the lump in my throat when he rests his hand on my belly.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
And as he holds me to his chest, his hand resting on the back of my head, he asks curiously, “For what?”
I sigh in utter contentment. I imagine bringing this child into the world. Watching Tully father our baby. Watching our child grow up with a Clan full of cousins, and doting aunts and uncles.
“For everything.”