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“We came to see the injured woman,” Will says with a happy smile. “And to bring food.”
“Food that he and Archer will no doubt eat.”
“It smells delicious,” Kane says. “Fried chicken?”
“With all the fixings,” Meg confirms. “We were going to bring Red Mill burgers, but the fries wouldn’t be delicious by the time we drove out here.”
“Oh my God, Red Mill.” I close my eyes, salivating at just the thought of my favorite burger place. “I haven’t had them in years.”
“We’ll go then, once you’re feeling better,” Kane says, kissing my forehead.
“I’m feeling better,” I insist. “But he’s making me lay low, and it’s killing me. I should be baking cakes.”
“You should be resting,” Meg says, agreeing with Kane. “He’s absolutely right.”
“Hear that?” Kane’s voice is smug as he takes a bite of chicken. “I’m right.”
“Have you been icing it?” Meg asks. “Taking the ibuprofen when you should?”
“I’m pretty sure I’m a snowman,” I reply and reach for a dinner roll. “I’ve had so much ice on my body, I’m surprised my shoulder doesn’t have frostbite.”
“You always were kind of a drama queen,” Archer says as he stuffs his face full of mashed potatoes.
I simply flip him off, making him laugh.
As irritated as I am with the whole situation, it’s nice to have these three here.
“Amelia was going to come with us,” Meg says, “but she came down with a flu bug and didn’t want to make you sick.”
“I know, she called earlier.” I sit at the small table in the corner of the kitchen and pick at my food. “Poor thing. I wish this hadn’t happened so I could be at her place, taking care of her.”
“Wyatt has it covered,” Archer says. He and Will are standing over the cupcakes, deciding which ones to eat first.
“You’d better leave me at least two of those,” I warn them.
“Greedy, isn’t she?” Will asks Archer, who just nods. Kane grabs a plate, muscles his way between the two big men, and nabs three cupcakes, one of each flavor, and brings them to me.
“Here you go, darling.”
“Wow.” Meg licks her thumb, watching Kane thoughtfully. “Not every man has the guts to get between those two and food.”
“I’m defending my lady’s honor. And her stomach,” Kane replies and laughs.
I share pieces of chicken and bites of my bread with Murphy, and before long, we’re all finished eating, and Will and Meg are getting ready to head back to the city.
“How are the girls?” I ask Meg.
“Growing so fast,” she says with a soft smile. “And they’re ornery, just like their daddy.”
“Not ornery,” Will corrects her. “Energetic.”
“Well, the energy’s killing me,” Meg says and sighs. “I love them more than I can say, but they’re exhausting.”
Will brushes his hand down Meg’s hair. “Let’s go tuck the girls into bed, and then I’ll rub your back for you, lazybones.”
“I’ll take that offer.”
“I’m gonna hang back,” Archer says, waving them off. “I drove myself.”
“Thanks for the food,” I say as Will gently leans in to kiss my cheek. “And the company.”
“You know I’m always happy to help you eat,” he replies with a wink. “And maybe I wanted to see for myself that you’re okay.”
Will has always held a special place in my heart. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
Just as Will and Meg pull away from the house, another car pulls in.
“The parents are here,” Archer says.
“I’m sorry.” I glance at Kane, who just shakes his head.
“For what? I told you your family is welcome here anytime.”
“It’s a lot of people in one day.”
“Stop worrying,” he replies and smiles at my parents as they approach the door. “Hello, Sherri. Ed.”
“We have food,” I offer them. “Meg and Will just left. They brought a whole bunch of stuff that even Will and Archer couldn’t decimate.”
“I’m still here,” Archer reminds me.
“Oh, we ate,” Mom says and sizes me up, taking stock of the sling. “We stopped by the pub on our way here.”
“You did?” I blink at them both, surprised. “How did you know about the pub?”
“Kane told us about it the other day at the barbeque,” Dad says with a smile. “So, we decided to try it out ourselves since we were headed this way.”
“Your mother is just the sweetest,” Mom says to Kane and wraps her arms around his waist in a hug as if they’ve been friends for years. “She and your father almost have us talked into taking a trip to Ireland in the spring.”
“Spring is a lovely time to visit,” Kane says. “We own a little inn there, and you’re welcome any time, of course.”
“I didn’t know you owned a whole inn.”
“The family does,” Kane says with a shrug. “My cousins are the caretakers now, of course.”
“Of course.”
So, my parents met Kane’s parents and are apparently fast friends. Interesting.
I wonder if this is weird to anyone but me. I mean, we haven’t been seeing each other for long, and now our families are friends, and well…what happens if we break up?
