Page 64 of The Maverick's Homecoming

She shot him a big, grateful smile. “They’ll like that. Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

The doorbell jangled again—and then again. “Sheesh,” she said. “Someone’s impatient.”

“They sure are.”

“You think it’s something serious?”

“Who knows?” He pulled open the bedroom door and found Tom and Ed sitting there, staring up at him. “Mornin’, guys.” He scooped them up, one in either hand. They purred in unison as he carried them with him to the front door.

When he got there, he set down the cats. They bounded off toward the kitchen. As the doorbell chimed again, he pulled the door wide.

His father stood on the other side. “It’s about damn time,” Finn Sr. said.

CHAPTER Nine

“What’s going on, Dad?” Finn asked cautiously.

“You going to let me in? Coffee would be nice,” Finn Sr. added with a look of pure annoyance.

Finn swallowed a sarcastic reply. Over the years, Finn had learned that getting snarky in return every time his dad gave him attitude never went anywhere good. He just let it roll off his back and saved his energy for the battles that mattered. Sadly, with his dad, there were always too many of those. “Sure. Come on in.” His dad entered the house and Finn shut the door. “This way.” He turned for the kitchen.

“Not a bad place,” his dad said from behind him. “You ought to put in the effort to fix it up right, though. A man’s home shows the world—”

“‘The extent of his success.’ I remember, Dad.”

In the kitchen, Finn Sr. took a chair at the table. The silence was deafening as Finn got the coffee brewing.

At last, his dad spoke again. “So you have a cat now?” It was nothing short of an accusation.

Finn glanced over his shoulder to see Tom dart away into the great room. He smiled at the sight. “There are two. That one is Tom. They’re not mine, though.”

Kenzie appeared then, fully dressed, with Ed in her arms. She paused in the large open arch to the dining room and great room. “They’re mine,” she said, and gave Ed a kiss on the top of his head. “How are you, Mr. Mon­ahan?”

“Kenzie.” Finn’s dad actually blinked. “Kenzie Osborne.”

“The one and only,” she replied, nuzzling Ed, who purred loudly and nuzzled Kenzie right back. “It’s…so nice to see you, Mr. Monahan.” She said the words flatly, without a trace of warmth. And then she turned to Finn. “You sure about the cats?”

“Absolutely.”

“Alright, then. I have to get going.” She dipped to set Ed on the floor. He zipped off in the direction Tom had gone. Kenzie rose with remarkable grace considering how pregnant she was.

Finn went to her. “Drive carefully.” He bent for a kiss.

She tipped her mouth up to him and smiled against his lips. “I will.” And then she turned to his dad once more. “Have a nice visit, Mr. Monahan.”

His dad regarded her coolly. “Please. We’re all adults now. Call me Finn.”

“Certainly.” Icicles dripped from the single word. “Goodbye.” She turned for the door.

“Be right back, Dad,” Finn said flatly. He steeled himself for a rude remark.

But for once, Finn Sr. had the grace to keep his mouth shut. He granted Finn a curt nod.

“I’m sorry,” Finn said quietly, when he caught up with Kenzie at the door. “I had no idea he would show up here.”

“Don’t be sorry,” she spoke softly, for Finn’s ears alone. “He is who he is and that is in no way your fault.” And then she kissed him. He felt the tension in his shoulders ease as she smiled against his lips.