Hold It Close (MacAteer Brothers Book 3)
Page 20
“Yep.”
“I’m in construction.”
“Not with a broken arm, you’re not.”
Bertie tapped his shoulder. “Is it the money? You don’t have insurance, do you?”
No, he didn’t. His finances were still in shambles from his failed engagement to Joy. He’d been putting every extra penny toward the credit card debt she helped to create. Some headway had been made, but this medical bill and being out of work for that long would put him right back where he started.
She softened her look at his grim face. “Remember a while back we were talking about this? You don’t have to worry, sweetheart.”
He didn’t like it. “I have to accept your help, but I’m not good with being in debt. It will take years for me to pay off what I’ll owe you.”
She shrugged. “So pay me back by working on my land. Once you’ve finished the forest escape, I’m gonna need a pool house with an outdoor kitchen, a picnic shelter, and a gazebo at the lake. Maybe a greenhouse too, for fresh veggies year-round.”
“You’re a stubborn wench.”
Bertie smiled. “That I am, baby. I have enough work at the inn to keep you busy for quite a while. You’ll never be able to leave me.”
He felt the corners of his mouth tip up. “Not planning to in the first place.”
Garrett’s arm got fitted in a temporary cast, and Bertie asked about Karl’s condition. The bullet had shot through and he was in surgery for some intestinal damage, but he remained stable. Damaris sat in jail somewhere, and Garrett didn’t care anything further about the woman. Maybe the experience of years of jealousy combined with postpartum depression had sent her over the edge. It was hard to find sympathy for a woman who put her child in danger as Damaris had done.
Bertie leaned over the bed and showed him her texts to Patrick while the nurses finished up with Garrett’s new look.
Bertie: How’s the baby?
Patrick: You’ve got Angus. We’re at Gallaghers’. The baby is fine.
Bertie: You’re at the bar?
Patrick/Angus: One of Patrick’s women brought over nappies and formula. The little one is smiling up a storm and making lots of baby noises. Perfect chick magnet.
Bertie: Women? Plural?
Patrick/Angus: He’s always been popular with the ladies.