“Ha. No pun intended.”

“I don’t want to be hopeless or Hope-less.” As he played with her fingers, he tried to gather his thoughts. “In all the time I’ve lived here, I never looked forward to the day I could get out of here the way Alex and so many of the other kids we knew did. They all counted down the days until they could get the hell out. That was never me. But now, with the thought of all that water between where I am and where you are, I want out of here for the first time.”

“I hate that I’ve caused that to happen.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I’m sorry it’s worked out this way, but I’m not sorry it happened.”

Paul pulled her in closer to him so he could kiss her. “I’m not sorry either.”

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Sitting around the fire outside Seamus and Carolina’s house, Big Mac took it upon himself to keep the fire fed since Seamus was preoccupied tonight.

“It’s so good of you guys to come by to check on us,” Carolina said.

“The bachelor and bachelorette parties ended a little prematurely,” Big Mac said, “so we hoped we’d find you still up.”

“It’s such a wonderful thing you’re doing for those boys,” Linda said. “How are they?”

“They’ve gone back to school,” Caro said. “Returning to their routine seems to be helping.”

“Just like it did for Joe,” Linda said.

“Yes.”

Linda glanced at Big Mac. “We just want you to know that we’re here for you like we were then. You’re not in this alone. Everyone wants to help.”

“It’s so nice of you to say that,” Caro said. “We’ll take all the help we can get.”

Seamus stood suddenly. “I’m going to get a beer. I’ll grab one for you, too, Mac. Ladies?”

They demurred, and he walked toward the house.

“Poor guy is wound up,” Caro said. “He’s so afraid he’s going to mess things up for the boys. I’ve tried to assure him he’ll be great, but he’s still stressed.”

Big Mac got up. “I’ll have a chat with him. See what I can do.”

“Oh, Mac,” Caro said. “Would you? That would help. I know it would.”

He squeezed Caro’s shoulder. “I’ll do what I can.” Big Mac went into the house and found Seamus in the kitchen, beer in hand, staring out into the darkness through the window over the kitchen sink. “Is that one for me?”

“Oh yeah, sorry.” Seamus twisted the cap off and handed it to him.

“Here’s to fatherhood,” Big Mac said, raising his bottle to Seamus. “Best thing to ever happen to me.”

Seamus touched his bottle to Big Mac’s. “That’s good to hear.”

“It will be for you, too.”