Echoes of Scotland Street (On Dublin Street 5)

Cole quirked an eyebrow. “A moment? A—no.” His eyes grew comically round. “One thing at time, Shortcake. Now, hand the child over slowly.”

I giggled and passed Jarrod back to an amused Hannah. “You’d make a great dad.”

“I’m sure I will,” he said confidently. “And I look forward to it . . . in at least five years’ time.”

I was delighted he’d even thought about it. I didn’t want kids right away either. I had so much I still wanted to do. But it was nice to know Cole and I were on the same page about something so huge.

I gestured to Jarrod. “I don’t know how you get anything done with all that adorableness around you.”

“Actually, despite the distracting adorableness, Jarrod has been great. Sophia cried most nights, but Jarrod sleeps a lot. He’s an absolute angel.”

Seeing the loving look on his friend’s face, Cole said cautiously, “Not looking forward to returning to work, then?”

Hannah shrugged. “I’m looking forward to getting back into the classroom, but I’ll miss this. I’m only going back part-time to begin with. I still need more time with this little guy.” She suddenly grinned at me and stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Cole tells us you’re a talented artist and have a particular talent at landscapes.”

“Oh.” Surprised by the change in subject and the compliment, I found myself stuttering, “I’m all ri— Okay, I mean, I guess I—I’m okay.”

Cole wrapped an arm around me and jerked me into his side. “What she meant to say was ‘Yes, I’m a bloody fantastic artist, thank you.’”

I rolled my eyes. “What he said.”

Hannah laughed. “Well, good, because we were all trying to come up with the perfect gift to give the couple who have everything.” She gestured to the room around us, so I gathered she meant Joss and Braden. “And then we thought it might be a lovely idea to commission a cityscape of Edinburgh.”

“Commission?” I put my free hand to my chest. “Commission me?”

“Well, yes. We trust Cole’s eye, and if he says you’re good, then you’re good.”

Amazed, humbled, excited, all of the above, I nodded enthusiastically. “I’d love to. What are they celebrating?”

“Joss’s pregnancy, of course.”

More surprise shot through me and I looked up at Cole in question.

He winced. “With everything we had going on I forgot to tell you.”

“Tell her what?” Joss’s familiar voice queried behind us.

We turned and she, Jo, and Ellie closed in on us so we created a small circle.

“That you’re pregnant.” I smiled. “Congratulations.”

Her gunmetal eyes softened. “Thank you. This is the last one, so Braden has everyone making a huge deal out of it.”

“It is a big deal.” Her husband sidled up to her, inserting himself in beside her and Ellie so he could press a kiss to Joss’s neck. Joss leaned into him and sighed.

“Fine, it’s a big deal, but can we please stop talking about it? This is Cole and Shannon’s engagement party.”

“Oh, please,” Hannah snorted as her big sister took Jarrod from her. “This is Ellie’s party.”

Ellie grinned unashamedly. “Any excuse, eh, baby boy,” she cooed, pressing a kiss to Jarrod’s forehead.

“Oh, give him here.” Elodie appeared at her side, reaching for her grandchild.

“You’re not playing pass the parcel,” Hannah huffed.

“Shush.” Elodie waved her off and pressed Jarrod to her body. “I haven’t held him in fifteen minutes. I’m having withdrawals.”

“How are you feeling?” I felt the need to ask. During all the excitement last weekend, I hadn’t inquired. “You look well.”

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and she had lost that haggard tiredness she’d worn after the attack.

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” she assured me, giving me a kind smile. “I’ve had plenty of rest and I’m feeling strong. Especially now that I have another beautiful grandchild to keep me busy, and a wedding to look forward to.”

“Shannon, before I forget,” Braden suddenly said, drawing my attention from the matriarch of the family. “I have an offer for your brother.”

“An offer?” I said, puzzled.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Marco appear. He pulled Hannah into his side.

“I shared,” Cole explained, looking concerned. “Not about everything but about why Logan was in prison. I thought they could help. I’m sorry. I should—”

“It’s fine.” I cut him off and pressed a hand to his arm in reassurance. “I trust them.” I glanced back at Braden. “What kind of offer?”

“I imagine he’ll find it hard to get work when he gets out of prison, but Cole explained matters and a man shouldn’t have to bear those kinds of consequences for protecting his family. When your brother gets out send him to me and I’ll find a job for him wherever he feels he wants to start over. I have a number of opportunities for him.”

“Same here,” Marco said. “I’m site manager for a construction company. If he doesn’t find anything to suit him with Braden, I’d be happy to set him up somewhere suitable to his skill set.”

Overwhelmed by their generosity, I was struck completely dumb for a few seconds.

The silence only broke when Cole sought to close my mouth by pressing a finger under my chin. Everyone chuckled and I swatted playfully at his hand.