“You remind me of my brother when his first kid was born. The poor guy was beside himself. He was afraid to hold the little princess out of fear he might break her or something.”

“I felt that way the first time I held PJ.”

“You’re going through what all new dads experience. It’s perfectly normal. And the plus side is if the little guys need something, they’re old enough to tell you.”

“That’s true.”

“I know it seems overwhelming right now, but it’s going to be fine. They’re damned lucky to have you and Carolina to look out for them.”

“We’re the lucky ones, mate,” Seamus said softly. “My heart breaks for what they’ve endured, losing their mum the way they did, but on the other side, I’m so damned thankful to have them in my life. Makes me feel selfish to even say that.”

“You’re not selfish, Seamus. You’re the opposite of selfish. Look at what you’re doing for those kids. I heard you’re even adding on to the house for them.”

“That has to be done. They’re squeezed into that little room.”

“That’s about as selfless as it gets, my friend.”

“Thanks for the pep talk. I’ve been all over the place today.”

“Today was a tough day. Tomorrow will be a tough day. The next couple of weeks are apt to be rough. But one day, not too far off from now, they’ll begin to act like little boys again, and you and Carolina will be there to show them the way through it.”

“Yes, we will.”

Slim downed the last of his beer and put the bottle on the counter. “I’m going to let you get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Seamus withdrew two one-hundred-dollar bills from his pocket and handed them to Slim. “You don’t have to go to the funeral. I know how busy you are.”

“I’ll be there.” He hugged Seamus and then put the money back in his hand. “The suits are on me because I want to do something to help them—and you. Hang in there.”

Once again, Seamus found himself swallowing a lump in his throat. He was a disaster today. “Thanks, man.” He saw his friend out the door, and after Slim drove off in his pickup truck, Seamus locked up for the night.

Carolina came into the kitchen, tying her robe around her waist. “Did I hear voices?”

“Slim was here to drop off the suits he bought on the mainland for the boys.” Seamus pointed to the bag on the table.

Caro peered into the bag. “He even got belts.”

“I said that, too, and he insisted on paying for everything because he wants to do something for them. We’re lucky to have such great friends.”