Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 593(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Angela did a little jump and covered her mouth. My mother turned to my father and cried into his chest, and my dad looked up and mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
“Finn, have you seen her?”
I chuckled. “Yeah. Things moved a bit fast, and Rory and I were in the room when the baby started to crown.”
My mother sprung her head up and looked at me. Her crying instantly stopped. “Rory? Where is she?”
I glanced around. “I’m not sure. She snuck out of the room while Preston and Harmony were holding Presley.”
“Wait…you saw the baby being born? Gross!” Angela said, then made a gagging sound.
I felt my cheeks heat. “Well, I didn’t really see Presley being born. Preston kind of passed out and—”
“Passed out?” my mother and father said at once.
“Yeah. He saw the head and, bam, he was out. Then I went to help him up, and I saw the same thing. Even though I’ve delivered a few babies… It took me by surprise, and I was out.”
My father let out a roar of laughter. “Good Lord. I’ve raised pansy-ass boys.”
Rolling my eyes, I pulled out my phone and sent Rory a message.
Me: Hey, are you okay? Where are you?
It wasn’t two seconds later she replied.
Rory: I needed some fresh air and came outside.
Me: Are you out front? I’ll come get you.
Rory: That’s okay. I’m really tired, and I need to do some work. I’ll catch a taxi.
I widened my eyes at her reply, and my chest felt like someone was sitting on it.
Me: Is everything okay? I’m really sorry about what happened.
Rory: It’s fine. I don’t think I can take any more big events tonight. Thank you for a beautiful day, though. I really enjoyed myself. In more ways than one. Tell Harmony and Preston congrats for me. Their daughter is beautiful.
I was stunned. What in the hell happened?
“Finn honey, is everything okay?”
I didn’t bother to even look at my mother when I said, “Rory’s heading home. She um…she’s leaving.”
Her hand on my arm felt warm. “I’m sure she was a bit overwhelmed if the two of you passed out and left her to fend for Harmony. Give her some space, sweetheart. That had to have been an overwhelming experience for her…and then to try and throw all of us on top of that? I don’t blame her for wanting to leave.”
I knew my mother was right, but it didn’t feel right to let her go. Holding my phone in my hand, I typed out my reply.
Me: I had a great day too. Please let me take you home. I’m on my way down.
Turning, I quickly headed to the elevator. I hit the down button and waited impatiently for it to arrive. Once it reached the lobby floor, I took off toward the front door. My heart sank when I saw a taxi driving off.
“Rory,” I whispered as I watched the brake lights fade into the distance. Suddenly my phone buzzed in my hand.
Rory: Please stay and enjoy your new baby niece. Good night, Finn.
I’d never in my life been so disappointed to see a date end.
“Finn? Earth to Finn?”
The pillow hit me square in the face, pulling me out of my daydream. “What?”
“Jesus, dude, what in the hell are you thinking about?”
Rory.
“Nothing. I guess maybe Preston and Harmony. Wondering how they’re doing.”
Zeb pulled his head back in surprise but didn’t say anything.
“Ward, get your ass in here!”
My heart jumped to my throat—Captain Adams was calling me into his office.
As I walked that way, I glanced over to Colton. He shook his head, and I shrugged my shoulders. The only people who knew about me and Rory were Colton and my family. And I knew none of them would have uttered a word.
Walking into his office, I plastered on a smile.
“Take a seat, son.”
Son?
I did as he asked and sat. “How is the training of Flash going?”
My eyes narrowed, and I could tell he was trying to keep his smile hidden. “He’s doing great.”
“Good. I heard you had some trouble in the beginning.”
“Is that so?”
He leaned back and made a steeple with his fingers while nodding. “John Penley said Flash got a little too excited in your place.”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle, sir.”
He studied me with an intense stare. Does he know? Shit.
“Is that all you needed, sir? To find out about Flash?”
He dropped his hands and drew in closer. “Why do you think I had you bring Flash home, Ward?”
Clenching my jaw tight, I looked directly into his eyes. “I’m not sure, Captain Adams.”
“I worked alongside your father. Mike Ward is a good guy. Loves his wife and his family. I remember seeing you and your brothers running around the firehouse from time to time. You even met my daughter Rory once when she was around five.”
My heart dropped, and I was positive he saw the way I reacted.