Pop always managed to break up the sadness with a laugh. Sean thought it was the thing he cherished most about his father.
“Being a sentimental soul myself, my thanks has never changed for the past forty-some years either. I’m grateful for the whiskey in me glass and the gal in me bed.”
As he spoke, Sean and his brothers raised their drinks and repeated the last line in time with Pop, the rest of the family laughing as they spoke.
The family took turns saying what they were thankful for, some of the sentiments thoughtful and moving, others hilarious. Two stood out as it got closer and closer to Sean’s turn.
Natalie said she was grateful for labor pains. Everyone except Ewan laughed, realizing his wife wasn’t joking. Everyone hugged them goodbye quickly as his brother whisked his wife off to the hospital, promising to call the second the doctor declared her close to delivering, so Teagan and Sky could be there for the birth.
Riley announced she was grateful for the seventh grandchild. When her husband Aaron tried to correct her, reminding her Nat’s baby would be the sixth, Riley simply rubbed her stomach and repeated her number. While everyone offered the dumbstruck father-to-be congratulations, Sean leaned over to kiss his beloved sister on the cheek.
“I hope your baby is a girl and she’s just like you,” he whispered.
Riley grinned widely at his words, kissing him on the cheek. “Twenty bucks says you’re the only one in the family making that wish.”
Sean laughed. It wasn’t just the Collins men who were prone to betting. “You may want to reconsider that bet, Riley. Pop counts as family.”
Riley nodded and for a moment, Sean thought he caught a glimpse of a tear in his sister’s eye. “Bet’s off. Thank you, Sean.”
Finally, it was Sean’s turn. He looked at Lauren and Chad and announced he was thankful for finding true love—twice. He kissed Lauren and then, though he knew his actions would shock everyone to the core, he kissed Chad—a full-out, on-the-lips kiss that couldn’t be misinterpreted as anything other than what it was.
The table fell silent for only a moment before Riley and Justin both declared they were the ones who deserved the thanks for the set-up. A mini argument ensued as to who played a bigger role, while the others at the table simply laughed and offered their congrats.
Finally, as the last thank-you was shared, Pop stood to raise his glass once more. “No father could be more proud of his family than I am. Here’s to my Wild Irish.”
The End
About the Author
Some people fall apart on their 30th birthday, others on their 40th. For Mari Carr, 34 was the year that took her down. After she spent the day crying and saying, “I haven’t done anything I thought I would,” her husband finally asked what was left undone. Her answer was simple—she hadn’t written a book or decorated her house. “So do it,” he said.
Five years later, the house is sparkling with fresh paint and new furniture and her computer is jammed full of stories—novels, novellas, short stories and dead-ends. The lesson: It’s never too late to achieve a goal or two!
High school librarian and English teacher by day and mother of two busy teenagers, Mari Carr finds time for writing by squeezing it into the hours between 3 a.m. and daybreak when her family is asleep and the house is quiet.
With the publication of her first book, her latest goal—publishing before 40—has been achieved with a couple of years to spare. Phew!
Mari welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at Comments@EllorasCave.com.
Also by Mari Carr
Black Jack
Cocktales 1: Party Naked
Cougar Challenge: Assume the Positions
Covert Lessons
Everything Nice
Inflamed
Rekindled
Retreat
Scoring
Spitfire
Sugar and Spice
Three Reasons Why
White Knight
Wild Irish 1: Come Monday
Wild Irish 2: Ruby Tuesday
Wild Irish 3: Waiting for Wednesday
Wild Irish 4: Sweet Thursday
Wild Irish 5: Friday I’m in Love
Wild Irish 6: Saturday Night Special
Wild Irish 8: Wild Irish Christmas
Print books by Mari Carr
Retreat
Sugar and Spice, Everything Nice
Tease the Cougar anthology
Wild Irish: Wild Days anthology
Wild Irish: Wild Nights anthology
Wild Irish: Wild Times anthology
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
www.ellorascave.com