Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I blinked. She smiled in encouragement. “There are ways to get there quickly.” She indicated her husband with a tilt of her head. “And people who would ensure it happened.”
“I’m not sure I have that right.”
She patted my hand. “From what Roman tells me, you do. You would be welcomed and loved even more for it. You have only to ask.”
I glanced at Roman just as he turned his head, meeting my eyes. He studied me for a moment.
“Say the word, and I’ll handle it.”
I drew in a bracing breath, knowing what I needed to do. “I need to get to Finn.”
“A car is waiting. I’ll announce your next set has been canceled.”
“My passport is at home.”
“You can go there, pack quickly, and still be at the airport in time.”
I frowned. “You already arranged it?”
“As soon as I heard your first song and after speaking with Finn earlier, I knew it needed to happen.” He smiled at his wife with affection. “Effie encouraged it.”
“Thank you.”
He inclined his head. “Go. He needs you.”
I stared up at the gray building, weariness making my eyes blurry. Roman had taken care of everything. The car he had waiting took me home, and I threw a few things into a bag, left a note on my neighbor’s door asking her to water my plants, grabbed my passport, and was back in the car in twenty minutes. I was whisked right to a private plane, and before I could really comprehend what was happening, I was airborne. I dozed and read, the hours passing swiftly.
Another car waited for me at the airport, taking me to the hospital once I spoke with the customs person who came on board. Roman sent me a text with Roisin’s room number, and I headed up to the sixth floor. Outside her room, I looked around, but no one was there so I opened the door and peeked in. A pair of blue eyes so like Finn’s peered at me from the bed, and the woman’s face broke into a smile. One side of her face still drooped a little so it was crooked, but it was warm.
“Come in, Una.”
I had met Roisin more than once. She had always seemed larger-than-life, but in the hospital bed, she was small and frail-looking. She still had oxygen being pumped into her via cannulas, and an IV was attached to her left arm. Finn had told me there were some issues with movement on her right side, and I could see it on her face and the way her mouth moved. They hoped it would improve.
I tiptoed forward, shocked to see the room empty. I set down my case and went over to the bed where she beckoned. Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to her soft cheek.
“He’ll be so glad…you came,” she murmured.
“Where is everyone?”
She swallowed. “Niall and Sully are out finding me a good cup of tea—” she inhaled and paused “—and a biscuit. We finally convinced Finn to nap. He’s—” she pointed to the door “—across the hall.”
“Oh.” I was pleased to see her speech was better. Slow and hesitant at times, but fairly clear.
She grimaced. “I need them to stop hovering.” Another sigh. “Every time I open my eyes, one of them is staring at me, waiting for me to take my last breath.”
It took her a moment to get the words out, but her tone was quite scornful. I bit my lip to stop my laughter. “They love you.”
“I’m well aware. They are all too big and too explosive—” she waved her hand “—to be cooped up in this room. They’re supposed to take turns, and they all refuse to leave.” I handed her the cup she indicated, and she took a sip of water. “The only way I got a moment’s peace was the nurse telling them she needed to bathe me. They went searching for my tea.” She winked. “I already had a sponge bath this morning.”
“I see.”
The door opened, and a tall man walked in. He was as broad as Niall and Finn and just as handsome, although older. His hair was salt-and-pepper, cut short on the sides and longer on top. He had a trimmed beard and mustache that set off full lips. He had the same air of danger around him as Finn and Niall carried, confidence making his shoulders straight and his walk a smooth swagger. He frowned, almost growling.
“And who are you?”
“Oh, ah…”
Roisin interrupted. “Mind your manners. This is Finn’s girl.”
He looked surprised. “I wasn’t aware he had one.”
Roisin shook her head. “Do you men ever talk? Really talk?”
He set down a steaming cup and a small bag. “If you mean braid each other’s hair and wax on about feelings, only on Wednesdays.” He smirked. “We missed it last week, thanks to you, woman.”