wrapped around his sister, Sean and Erin followed their dad into the dining room. The four of them settled around the table, and Sean could not help but remember how full the table always seemed with all eight of them when they were growing up. He knew his mother had hoped for a passel of grandchildren by now, but that had not been life’s choosing so far.
Tara was the only one who had a little girl, Colleen. Married soon after graduate school, she was thrilled to find out that she was soon pregnant... but her husband was not. He chafed at the idea of fatherhood, still wanting to spread his wings. It was not long before he also chafed at the idea of marriage. He walked away from Tara soon after Colleen was born, and while Sean knew it broke her heart, the family rallied around, giving her the support she needed. Of course, he, Kyle, and Brock paid her ex-husband a late-night visit when they were home on leave. What happened that night had never been spoken about by them since, but it made him feel a lot better knowing the asshole would not attempt to get his hands on Tara’s hard earned money.
“Eat up, everyone,” Sharon encouraged.
Now at the table, he began filling his plate and passing the dishes.
“Anything new at work that you can talk about?” Colm asked.
He appreciated that his father knew that much of his work could not be discussed. Chewing slowly, he replied, “Brock will be handling everything at the warehouse, and I have nothing new on the serial arsonist.”
Sharon shook her head. “It’s hard to believe that Samuel Treyson was murdered, God rest his soul. But I’m just as glad that you’re not in homicide. I know the press is hounding the police. I was talking with Hannah this morning, and Chauncey’s up to his ears in it.”
He shared a quick glance with his father, a slight smile playing about his lips. His father would understand that the press would follow any story, and when the arsonist struck again, they would be all over the Arson Division.
Just then, the back door opened, and Rory’s voice called out. “Hey, am I too late for dinner?”
Sharon’s face beamed at the idea of another one of her children tucking their feet under her table again. “Rory! Come on!” She hopped up to get another plate, meeting her son in the doorway to the dining room, giving him a hug and kiss. “Go on and sit down. I’ll be right there with some iced tea.”
Rory greeted them all, giving his twin, Erin, an extra-long hug before taking the chair across from Sean. Piling his plate with food, he dug in as though ravenous. He had lived at home for the first month after getting out of the Army but soon found a room with one of the other firefighters. Sean had not seen Rory’s apartment but assumed it was more of a bachelor crash pad. The twins were four years younger than he, and Rory showed no signs of settling down.
The conversation easily moved between the Hope City Marauders football team, the upcoming winter forecast, the latest political news, and neighborhood gossip.
After shoveling in his last bite, Rory leaned back in his seat, thanked his mother for a good meal, then settled his gaze on Sean. A shit-eating grin slid across his face. “I hear you’ve got a great new way to pick up the ladies, bro.”
Having already finished his meal, Sean had also leaned back in his seat, enjoying the conversation when Rory’s statement hit his ears. Holding his brother’s gaze, he tilted his head to the side in question.
“I met a smokin’ hot girl tonight that has experienced firsthand your smooth new way of meeting someone.”
Sharon had walked into the kitchen to get the dessert but hustled back in, her eyes bright with interest and bouncing between her sons. “Sean, you met someone?”
“I would ask what you’re talking about, but since you usually can’t keep your mouth shut, I’m sure you can’t wait to tell me.”
Rory glanced up at their mom and said, “Sean’s decided that instead of a smooth pickup line, what works best is for them to get injured, and then he swoops in and takes them to the ER. I personally think it’s his savior complex.”
Confusion morphed into anger. “Shut up, Rory. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I most certainly do. I met Harper this evening. She was at The Celtic