“From you? Now you care about protecting me? Who was protecting me when you were pursuing me like a madman and chasing me around the kitchen table?”

“Oh my God,” Joe said with a groan as Janey giggled madly. “I so don’t need that visual in my mind.”

“Not in front of the children, love,” Seamus said with a smile and a kiss.

She shook her head with amusement and love and dismay.

“Now I’d like a turn with my grandson,” Seamus said, reaching for P.J.

While Seamus held the baby, Caro turned to her son, who was only two years younger than the man she was about to marry. “I’m sorry about him. I keep hoping he’s going to learn to behave himself, but I’m beginning to give up on that.”

Laughing, Joe hugged her. “I’m happy for you, Mom. How could I not be when I see how happy he makes you and how great you guys are together?”

Carolina closed her eyes against the flood of tears that filled them. It had been just the two of them for a long lonely time after his father died in an accident when Joe was only seven. Now they were both happily in love and had so much to look forward to. “Thank you, Joseph.”

He kissed her temple. “Do I get to give away the bride, too?”

“Absolutely.”

By five o’clock, Seamus and Carolina’s yard was full of friends enjoying the chowder and clam cakes Slim had made. Everyone was teasing the dashing pilot about keeping his other talents hidden from them.

“You should see what else I can do,” he said to laughter.

Seamus approached Carolina. “Is everyone here?”

“Except for Mac and Linda. I can’t imagine what’s keeping them.”

“Did you ask Janey?”

“I was just about to do that.”

“I’ll go with you.”

They found Janey inside the house, nursing P.J. in the living room. “Hey, guys. Is it time?”

“Not quite yet,” Caro said. “Your parents aren’t here yet.”

“I wonder what’s keeping them.”

“Do you mind giving them a call?”

“Of course not. My phone is in my purse in the kitchen.”

“I’ll get it.” Seamus was thankful to have something to do with the energy zinging around inside of him. They were so close… So damned close to having what he’d wanted for what felt like forever, even if it was only a couple of years. He could still recall the first time he saw Carolina, shortly after he started working for Joe. She’d come to take her son to lunch and left him completely bowled over.