Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I’m going to be a grandmother?” Mum asked, looking a bit spaced out, hands still hovering.
Dad approached her and gently took the knife from her grip. “Yes, Regan, our son is going to be a father, and you are going to be a very beautiful, very young grandmother. That’s happy news. Right?”
I sagged, like air deflating out of a balloon at my dad’s words.
Mum stared into his eyes. “Our son is going to be a father.”
Dad nodded patiently.
“We’re going to be grandparents.”
“We are.”
She blinked rapidly, coming out of her stupor. Then suddenly, she dropped the corn and flew around the island at me. I braced as she threw herself into my arms. “Congratulations, sweetheart. I know how scared you must be, but never forget your dad and I are always here, and we will help you and Callie through this.”
With a shaky grin, I returned her fierce hug. “Thank you.”
Dad joined us, placing a hand on my nape to give me an affectionate squeeze. “Congrats, son.”
“Thanks.”
Mum released me but kept one arm around my waist. “So, does this mean you and Callie are back together?”
“I don’t know. But she’s letting me take her out on a date tomorrow.”
Mum’s dimples appeared as she let out a girlish squeal of delight. I chuckled, suddenly exhausted. Mum then started cataloguing everything we’d need and how she’d call Sloane in the morning so she, Callie, and Sloane could get together to organize a baby shower.
“Uh, that’s great, Mum, but Callie gave me the impression that she wants this to remain among family until she’s a bit further along.”
“Oh, of course. We can make plans without telling anyone yet.”
Deciding to take her reaction as a win, I let her be and turned to Dad. “How bad is Mor’s mood? I really want to be the one to tell her.”
“She’s fine. Go tell her.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “And if you want to chat about anything, I’m here. I was only a few years older than you when you came along, you know.”
“I know. Thanks, Dad.”
He gave me a warm look. “You make me proud, son. Best accomplishment of my life … raising a good man like you.”
“Fuck, Dad,” I huffed out gruffly. “I’m already an emotional wreck.”
Chuckling, he patted me on the shoulder again. “Go tell your wee sister she’s going to be an aunt.”
When Eilidh moved out, Morwenna had asked for her bedroom because it was bigger. After Mor grumpily granted me entrance, I realized I hadn’t been in it in ages because in that time it had been transformed into a bedroom/library.
I raised an eyebrow. My parents had hired someone to paint a mural of a misty forest on the wall where Mor’s bed was placed. The largest wall in the room was filled with floor-to-ceiling custom shelves, stacked to the brim with books. There was even a ladder on a rail so she could reach the top shelves.
“This is amazing.” I gestured around the room. “The mural is beautiful.”
“Allegra McCulloch helped me paint it.”
My eyes widened. “You painted this?”
Morwenna was huddled against her pillows, knees drawn to her chest, reading a book. She lowered her eyelids and nodded shyly. “Allegra helped.”
Shit.
I really had been a terrible brother. I didn’t even know my kid sister was a talented artist. Or that she even liked art. What else didn’t I know about her? “May I?” I gestured to the end of her bed.
She shrugged and I decided to take that as a yes. Sitting down, I stared around her room again, suddenly regretting all those years I’d stayed away. Half of Mor’s childhood. “I have to tell you something and I haven’t told Eilidh yet, so I need you to keep it to yourself until I do.”
“You’re telling me first?” Mor dropped her book, expression stupefied.
I frowned. “Aye, why?”
“Because you never tell me anything. Especially not before you tell Eilidh.”
Hearing the hurt in her tone, I studied her carefully. “Have I been an awful big brother?”
She shrugged again. “No. It’s just … I’ve always felt a bit left out. You and Eilidh are so close in age, and I don’t have … you guys are close. I don’t have that with you both.”
It was true that the age gap between us made for a different dynamic. I suppose it had never occurred to me that it might bother Mor. But suddenly, I wondered if she felt like an only child half the time. Was she lonely? I hoped not. She had our parents and a huge gang of cousins a mere few hundred yards away.
“I’m sorry you’ve felt left out.”
Mor seemed to grow some confidence at my apology and finally looked at me. Frustration gleamed in her chestnut eyes. “People at school either tease me for being Eilidh Adair’s wee sister or they just want to be friends with me because of her. They’re so fake. And they all ask me questions about her, and I couldn’t even answer if I wanted to because Eilidh never bothers to talk to me. I haven’t heard from her in weeks. She texted me to ask how I was, and I didn’t reply, and she didn’t even bother sending another text to see if I was okay.”