Page 146 of Beat of Love
“You’re single.”
“And that’s a problem?”
“Yes!”
“Why?”
“The children deserve a dadanda mom.”
“But life is unfair, and their mom died.”
Mrs. Bronson huffed. “The couple—”
“Yes, yes,” he cut in. “Your financially stable churchgoers will provide the children with two parents.”
“Exactly,” she exclaimed and beamed a smile at him.
He frowned, finding her triumphant attitude annoying. An idea jumped to mind.
Nah. That’s just plain crazy.
Yet he found himself saying, “Would it change your mind if I tell you that I’m with someone.”
*
She answered on the first ring. “Hey, you.”
“I … uh … need your help, Red.”
“Anything.”
Rafferty gave a nervous laugh, dragging a shaky hand over his face. “You might not be so agreeable once you hear what I’ve done.”
Understatement.
Brandy-Lyn’s going to roast you.
“What have you done?” she sighed.
“I met with the social worker. She dropped a bomb— Connor has a half-sister. A little girl. Two and a half years old. No dad inthe picture. And Mrs. Bronson went on and on about this couple willing to adopt both Connor and Sinead, and—”
“Did you say … Sinead?”
“Yep. Selena named her daughter Sinead. Can you believe that?”
A beat of silence, then she gave a soft sigh. “She trusted you, Raff. But you said you need my help?”
“I do.”
I told her we’re together.
The words sat on the tip of his tongue when he realized he didn’t want it to be a lie.
Them together.
It felt like something ordained long ago, maybe the moment Dónal sent his Saoirse away.
Hewantedto marry Brandy-Lyn.
