Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
He was almost certain it was a man who stopped at the doors to the kitchen and paused as though lost and then turned to walk back down the hallway.
Something about him. There was something familiar about the way he walked.
“Hey, it looks like this train’s about to get rolling, son.” His father stood in the doorway. “You look good, boy. Are you feeling okay?”
His da. Liam O’Donnell had been born in Ireland, but he’d raised his family in Texas. Not that anyone could tell given his accent. His father had been known to slip back into Irish when he got emotional. Aidan hadn’t bothered to learn Irish past how to curse and say I love you. It had been his sister who’d made a study of the language of their ancestors.
“I’m good. I’m ready.”
His father sighed and closed the French doors behind him. “Aidan, you don’t have to go through with this. I can walk down there and tell Adam and Jake to get that son of theirs here. Shotgun wedding works for me.”
A smile curled up Aidan’s lips because his father would do it. “I’ll pass on the forced marital vows. It’s better this way, and don’t make me say anything else, Da. I need some delusion today.”
His father moved in and put a hand on his shoulder. “All right, then. Let’s go because it’s almost time, and I know you don’t want Carys to be worrying you won’t show up. Let’s get the heavy stuff over and welcome your bride into our family properly.”
By properly his father meant with a whole bunch of whiskey and shenanigans. He suspected there would be a very Irish party at the end of the elegant ceremony and dinner. It was probably exactly what he needed. “Let’s do it.”
He followed his father back inside, gathering the groomsmen who weren’t currently acting as ushers, seating guests in the gorgeous outdoor setting Grace and his mother had crafted.
Though it had been Tristan’s mom’s idea. She’d been the one who’d found this place. It was only twenty minutes west of Fort Worth, but it was like they were in another world. A simpler world.
“Hey, everything is ready. I saw Sean heading into the bridal suite.” His mother stood in the entry hall. There were lovely covered walkways connecting the buildings in the venue. His mother was in front of the one that would lead them all to where the ceremony would take place. The bridal suite led right out onto the big balcony space where they would make their vows. The groom, however, had to make the long walk around, climbing up a set of winding stairs. “Everything is in place. Oh, Carys looks so beautiful.”
His father reached for his mother’s hand. “She’s not the only one. Come along, my darling. Let’s watch our son get married. Aidan, don’t take too long, son.”
His mom practically glowed as she let his father lead her away.
Aidan stood at the bottom of the stairs and heard the string quartet playing above. The afternoon sky was a perfect blue. Everything about the day was perfect with the singular exception of who was missing.
He pulled out his cell. He should have left it upstairs, but there was some hopeful part of him still praying Tris would change his mind. He pulled up the number he used to contact his best friend. It was listed as Dr. Jerry Smith in case Carys ever saw the contact come across his phone. She wouldn’t question a doctor calling him, and there were so many in his department she wouldn’t expect to know them all.
Keeping secrets. It was what he did these days. He kept Tristan’s secrets, and it was killing him.
He typed in what was going to be his last message.
Don’t call me after today. I told you what would happen if you let it go this far. I love you, man. But I have to pick her, and that means cutting off contact. Have a good life.
He hit send and immediately saw a set of typing indicator bubbles. So Tris had his phone.
There is no good life without you and Carys. I thought you understood. Come on, man. I love you and I love our wife. I’m trying to protect you.
It was what he always said. Aidan wasn’t sure how to reply. He’d said it all a thousand times.
“I am trying to protect you,” a quiet voice said.
Now he knew why the shadow he’d seen before had seemed so familiar. He turned and Tristan was dressed as a security guard with a ball cap pulled low on his head.
“I thought one of the ways you were going to protect us was staying away,” Aidan said, not moving toward him.
Tristan clung to the shadows. “I had to see her. I had to watch over you both. There’s a room above the ceremony space. I think it’s where they store all the lighting and stuff. It’s also got a small security station. I’ll be up there.”