Page 70 of Steadfast

We made it outside before the kids, and I got to work unstrapping our various bags.

“I know he likes to make sure nothin’ falls out,” Cian said, grunting as he loosened a strap. “But this is overkill. He used like ten of these.”

“And nothing fell out,” I pointed out logically.

“Ro,” Cian called, ignoring me to pass a bag over the side.

“Wait, that one’s Richie’s,” I said. “Give him this one.”

I passed Saoirse’s bag to Cian.

“Saoirse,” Cian called, tossing her the bag. “Here, take this, too.” He handed her a fishing pole. When the hell had Richie planned on going fishing?

“Cian, that’s Richie’s too,” I said in frustration.

“Yeah?”

“So, why are you taking his stuff out?”

Cian looked at me like I was an idiot. “Because Richie told me if we unloaded the truck not to bother bringin’ his stuff in, that he’d bring it in later,” he said slowly. “And I figured since he drove all the way out to get us, the least we could do was unpack his shit?”

“Unpack his stuff atourhouse?” I asked, looking for clarification.

“Uh, yeah,” Cian said, handing Aisling and Ronan’s bags to Aunt Ashley. “Guess he’s movin’ in.”

“Good to know,” I replied skeptically.

“Just go with it,” Cian said with a grunt. “I doubt you’ll change his mind.” He tossed Saoirse another bag. “Not sure why you’d even want to.”

I couldn’t argue with his logic.

Everyone was in bed, and Aunt Ashley had gone out to her motorhome for the night when Richie quietly came into my room, closing the door behind him and sliding my desk in front of it. I had a dizzying sense of déjà vu.

“We need a lock,” I said, making him jerk in surprise.

“Thought you were asleep,” he said softly.

“That took longer than you thought,” I replied.

“Yeah, Hank and Rainey were there,” he said as he pulled his shirt off and dropped his jeans to the floor. “It made the fifteen minute conversation I’d planned on stretch into an hour and a half.”

“Went well, then,” I joked.

“It went fine,” he assured me. “They’re glad we’re back. Argued a little about what happens if your aunt has to take guardianship of the kids. My parents said they’ll vouch for you if you need it—they really don’t want us to move.”

“Were they pissed you’re moving in here?” I asked as he climbed into bed beside me.

“Caught that, did you?” he said ruefully.

“Noticed when Cian started unpacking your stuff.”

“You good with that?” he asked.

“Would it matter?”

“Obviously.”

“You wouldn’t argue if I said no?” I prodded.

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