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“Let go of the flowers, or ye better sleep with one eye open.” Shamus is annoyed, Angus is amused, not releasing the flowers until he answers his question.
“Jensen, I would like to do that, but not now. Things got complicated after I was honest with you. I want us to remain friends because I enjoy your friendship, but if—”
“I’m not disagreeing, you damn fool, but mind yer own business,brother.” Shamus’s raised voice overrides what Jensen says while scowling and yanking the bouquet away from Angus before transforming his scowl into a smug smile.
He walks over, holding the beautiful sunshine bright bouquet out to me. “Here, lass, these are for ye fr—”
Loud squeals of laughter echo from inside the homestead before I can take the offered gift, and it doesn’t sound like just Gwendoline’s voice.
“Damn, I was just about to hear who is giving my friend sunflowers,” Jensen grumbles with amusement. “Although I think you already know who, Aussie.”
“Where’s Ophelia, Gwendoline?”
I know that sweet voice.
“Alice?” I look at Shamus for confirmation. The side of his mouth kicks up in a lazy smile. “Alice ishere?” He nods, his smile growing as bright as the sunflowers he is still holding.
My heart thunders against my ribcage.
“Is Tu—?”
“No—”
Flatline.
“—I’ll be talkin’ to ye once—”
“SWEET ALICE, YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!” Half of the Mighty MacDougalls holler loud enough for Old Temecula Town to hear.
“I think she gave up waiting for our cue.” Angus laughs, snatching the bouquet back out of Shamus’s hands. “Too slow, brother.” Angus grins at his brother in triumph, making the loser sign against his forehead.
Shamus balls his hands on his hips. “Is this yer way of showing me ye missed me? Because ye sure are getting on my nerves.” He shakes his head, looking up at the sky for assistance.
“I have a lot of lost time to make up for, brother, and Ophelia will need both hands free for the mini-tornado about to bolt through.”
Shamus coughs to hide the laughter spilling out. “Missed ye too, brother.”
“I know. I’m the best.” Angus winks.
“Ophelia!” Alice yanks the curtain aside, stumbling through the open sliding door in her haste to find me. Angus steadies her with one hand and points the yellow bouquet in my direction.
Next is Teagan, followed by Gwendoline, now dressed in a fluffy, fuchsia-colored robe holding my white cashmere bathrobe in her hands.
“Ophelia,” Alice squeals again, rushing toward me with her arms spread wide, wearing a koala sweater and jeans, her face lit up with pure happiness, colliding with me, enveloping me in her arms.
We bounce up and down on the spot, giggling in each other’s arms.
“I’ve missed you, Ophelia.”Aww,Sweet Alice is the best.
“I’ve missed you too and Barry Bear.”
Teagan sandwiches me from behind, joining in on the invisible bouncing castle ride, waving Barry Bear in my face and laughing like a crazy lady.
We take our time pulling apart. “Ladies, what a surprise! You are back early and with Shamus.” It’s killing me not saying Tucker’s name.
“We had a slight change of plans,” Shamus offers. “We all did.”
All?
