Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,88
Rory were at another pool table with Caitlyn, Erin, and Sandy sipping cocktails nearby.
And at another table, Colm and Chauncey sat, beer in front of them, and Torin wondered how many times the two had shared a drink over the almost forty years they had been friends and neighbors.
“Good people, good times. That’s what a pub is all about.”
He chuckled at the sage comment coming from the man walking toward him behind the bar. Turning, he spied the bright twinkle in the blue eyes staring back at him. “You ought to know, Gramps. You’ve been in this pub your whole life.”
Fergus stepped closer, his hand landing on Torin’s shoulder, his eyes searching closely. “You doing okay, son?”
Torin shrugged then nodded. “It’s been a crazy week. I keep swearing I won’t watch more news, but then I find myself turning it on just to see the updates.”
When the task force got the tip from the man in North Carolina, they were able to ascertain the older man in the picture Erin had taken was his uncle, Timothy Tucker. The partial fingerprint belonged to his son, Robert Tucker. Searching the street cameras, another son, Marty, was identified. Each day, more information came out: their desire to disrupt the race near the Stepanov Warehouse as a protest against losing their jobs, Marty’s arrest in Virginia after a high-speed chase by the Virginia State Police, Robert’s mental state was being considered by his defense attorney, and their claim that the homemade bombs were supposed to be put near the race but not where anyone would get hurt and their father acted on his own when he placed it near the nutrient station.
He shook his head, his lips quirking upward. “Finally, last night, Erin came into the living room, took one look at the news, and snatched the remote from my hand, and declared, ‘No more.’”
Fergus laughed. “Knew I loved the girl.”
As their mirth slowed, Fergus continued to hold his gaze, his fingers digging in slightly onto Torin’s shoulder. “I buried my daughter-in-law, aching while watching my son and grandchildren grieve. Then I had to bury my son, something no man should ever have to do.” He blinked back the moisture, swallowing deeply. “Couldn’t have handled losing you, too, boy.”
Torin reached up, his hand landing on his grandfather’s. “I know, Gramps.”
Clearing his throat, Fergus stood taller, dipping his chin. “Life is precious, boy. Don’t take anything for granted.”
Just then, Erin scooted her chair back from the table she shared with the others and walked toward the bar, a smile playing about her lips. Not taking his eyes off her, he said, “I know what’s important, Gramps. Family, friends, and love.”
Chuckling, Fergus slapped him on the back and walked away, heading toward the other men.
Erin continued walking until she came to the last seat at the end of the bar. Lifting herself up onto the barstool, she leaned her elbows onto the wooden surface and propped her chin on her hands.
Scooting closer, he said, “What can I get you, beautiful?”
“Are you on the menu?”
Throwing his head back he laughed. “For you? Hell, yeah.”
She smiled in return and leaned forward, meeting him over the bar. Their lips met in a kiss, one he wanted to take deeper and longer as soon as the party was over and they were back in the apartment. Even keeping the kiss light, he felt his cock twitch, eager to play. Separating, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Best thing ever… kissing you in the middle of a smile.”
That night, Erin slipped from the curve of Torin’s embrace after creatively making love in a way that protected his leg. The party had been fun, but she knew he was exhausted, being his first time back in the bar since the surgery.
She usually fell asleep tucked next to him, but tonight she was restless. She wandered into the living room, making her way to the window overlooking the street below. She looked up toward the sky, the stars twinkling above, albeit not as clearly as out in the suburbs where the city lights were further away.
“I love him, John. I know that if you had lived, I wouldn’t be here right now. But the past is the past… you now lie in my memories, where you’ll always stay, close to my heart.” She turned toward the hall leading to the bedroom. “The man in there now also has my love and my heart… and my future.” Looking back up, she whispered, “I hope you’re happy for me.”
A squeak was heard, and she leaned her forehead against the glass, looking down to see the Celtic Cock sign swinging in the breeze. The rooster announces the light right after the night.
She smiled and padded softly into the bedroom, slipping underneath the covers, curling up close to Torin. With her head on his chest, she remembered his promise… I swear to you that as long as my heart is beating, I’ll love you… and fell asleep to the sound of his steady heartbeat underneath her cheek.
Don’t miss the next Hope City novel!
Blayze book 10 by Kris Michaels
Griffin book 11 by Maryann Jordan
Hope City (romantic suspense series co-developed
with Kris Michaels
Brock book 1
Sean book 2
Carter book 3
Brody book 4
Kyle book 5
Ryker book 6
Rory book 7
Killian book 8
Torin book 9
Blayze book 10
Griffin book 11
Also by Maryann Jordan
Don’t miss other Maryann Jordan books!
Lots more Baytown stories to enjoy and more to come!
Baytown Boys (small town, military romantic suspense)
Coming Home
Just One More Chance
Clues of the Heart
Finding Peace
Picking Up the Pieces
Sunset Flames
Waiting for Sunrise
Hear My Heart
Guarding Your Heart
Sweet Rose
Our Time
Count On Me
Shielding You
To Love Someone
Sea Glass Hearts
For all of Miss Ethel’s boys:
Heroes at Heart (Military Romance)
Zander
Rafe
Cael
Jaxon
Jayden
Asher
Zeke
Cas
Lighthouse Security Investigations
Mace
Rank
Walker
Drew
Blake
Tate
Levi
Clay
Cobb
Bray
Hope City (romantic suspense series co-developed
with Kris Michaels
Brock book 1
Sean book 2
Carter book 3
Brody book 4
Kyle book 5
Ryker book 6
Rory book 7
Killian book 8
Torin book 9
Blayze book 10
Griffin book 11
Saints Protection & Investigations
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Revealing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Protecting Love
Remember Love
Discover Love
Surviving Love
Celebrating Love
Searching Love
Follow the exciting spin-off series:
Alvarez Security (military romantic suspense)
Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
SEALs
Thin Ice (Sleeper SEAL)
SEAL Together (Silver SEAL)
Undercover Groom (Hot SEAL)
Also for a Hope City Crossover Novel / Hot SEAL…
A Forever Dad
Long Road Home
Military Romantic Suspense
Home to Stay (a Lighthouse Security Investigation crossover novel)
Letters From Home (military romance)
Class of Love
Freedom of Love
Bond of Love
The Love’s Series (detectives)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series (small town detectives)
Emma’s Home
Laurie’s Time
Carol’s Image
Fireworks Over Fairfield
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
Website
About the Author
I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the historical romances. I have been reading and reviewing for years. In 2013, I finally gave into the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. From these musings, my first novel, Emma’s Home, The Fairfield Series was born.
I was a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty-five years. When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
Website