Page 107 of Found in Wild Sage

“Yeah. Well. That woman tried to kill my wife, and I couldn’t have that.”

A low, gruff laugh tumbles out, though I can hardly see a smile behind his beard. “Guess not.” He looks to Evie.

Her eyes are shining, and tears have already tracked down her face. She knows what this means—for me, and for the entire family.

“I’m Evie. It’s so nice to meet you, Mac.” She stands and holds her hand out to him.

My stoic, solitary brother stands and wraps his arms around her. “Welcome to the family. I’m sorry I missed the wedding.”

Regret and maybe guilt flash across her face. “I’m so sorry we couldn’t do it when you were available. I was⁠—”

“No apologies. I’m sorry I missed, but glad to be here now.” He holds her gaze for a moment, and she nods.

Glad to see she’s not any stronger against his orders than most of the rest of us.

A familiar voice drifts in from the hallway and my heart rate picks up. All of us turn our attention to the door as Clementine walks in carrying Charlie.

My heart bursts, then glows with so much love for this little person I can hardly breathe. Evie rises and goes to greet him, kissing his cheeks and accepting him from Clementine, who tucks herself near the door.

Evie comes toward me and Charlie’s feet kick, his arms reaching for me.

“Dada! Hi, Dada. Charlie miss you.” He launches himself toward me and I reach for him, but it’s Evie and Mac who keep him from accidentally kicking me in the gut.

“We have to be careful with Dada, okay?” she says, giving me a desperate look.

He can rip me open for all I care. The sweet hit of relief and love and gratitude like I’ve never known envelops me as Charlie’s chubby little arms squeeze my neck. He plants a drooly kiss on my cheek, then giggles and pats it.

“Scratchy, huh? Yeah, I haven’t shaved today.”

“Silly Dada.” He shakes his head, butting against mine, all while Mac and Evie still keep him from resting fully on my chest.

“I’m so glad to see you, Charlie. Thank you for coming to visit me.”

“Miss you.” His little brow furrows.

“I missed you. I love you so much.” My breath catches as a flash of him screaming in the back seat while Katrina held Evie at gunpoint crosses my mind.

“Love you, too.”

This brings me back, and Finn, May, and Clementine audibly “awwww.”

Evie swipes away a tear.

Mac clears his throat. “Let’s get you settled next to your da.”

He helps Evie settle Charlie next to me on his side, which is a touch farther away from one of my incisions.

“This is my brother, Mac. He’s your uncle,” I tell Charlie.

“Oh, hi.” Charlie raises a hand to wave at Mac.

He smiles behind his beard, dark eyes soft. “Hi there.”

Something about this makes me feel so incredibly complete. Now he knows Evie and Charlie. They know him. He’ll get to check in with Ma and Da and talk to Grant. Meet Sam. See the girls again. He’ll get a chance to catch up with Finn and see May and maybe he’ll even have an idea of what’s going on with Eirinn and Davis.

“How long are you here?” It won’t be long.

“I’m not going anywhere for now.” He shifts his gaze to Evie. “I’ll stay if you’d like to go rest.”