“This is a good sign,” he says. “A very good sign. Hunter, I’m going to need you to really retire for good now, do you hear me?”
“Yeah.” Hunter licks his lips. “I’m done. Have better things to do.”
It’s about ten o’clock at night. There’s a light on over the sink across the room, but all of the other lights are out, casting the space in a soft white glow.
I’ve been sitting in this chair for the better part of six hours.
Hunter goes in and out of consciousness, but the doctor said that would be normal for tonight. They’re monitoring him closely.
A shadow falls over the doorway, and I glance up to see Rachel standing there, looking longingly at her dad with tears in her eyes.
“Come here,” I urge her and hold out my hand for hers.
She hurries around the bed and hugs me tightly, clinging to me almost desperately, and then she sits on the bed at Hunter’s hip and holds his hand.
“Daddy?”
Hunter stirs and opens his eyes, smiling when he sees his daughter.
“Hey, baby.”
“Oh, Daddy.” Rachel breaks down and lays her head gently on Hunter’s chest. He circles the arm not attached to the IV around her and strokes her hair.
“I’m okay,” he whispers.
Jay and Angie follow behind their granddaughter.
“We stopped at the nurse’s station to ask some questions,” Angie says and brushes her hand through Hunter’s hair. “You scared us, my boy.”
“Scared all of us,” I agree.
“Danny and Carla are going to jail,” Rachel says. “They were behind it all.”
“Yeah,” Hunter agrees. “I heard.”
“When can you go home?” she asks.
“In a few days,” I reply. “They want to keep an eye on him for a couple of days because of that head injury, and then we’re free to leave.”
“Good,” Rachel says as Hunter reaches over for my hand. Even with a bruised face, he has a cocky grin on those lips.
“I’d like to introduce you all to my wife.”
“Oh, my gosh, that’s right,” Angie says and hurries around the bed to give me a big hug. “Congratulations.”
“Does that mean I can call you Ma?” Rachel asks, surprising me. “You know, like you call Grandma? It’s an Irish thing, right?”
I feel more tears fill my eyes. I would have thought I was completely out of tears with the number of them I’ve shed today, but it turns out I have a few more.
“Yeah, it is. And, yes, you can call me Ma if you want to.”
“I want to,” Rachel says as she hugs me. “Since it’s official and all that.”
“Why does everyone else get to hug my bride but me?” Hunter asks.
“You’re so needy.” I cross to him and kiss his forehead. He takes my hand.
“Yes. I am. I need you. I’ll never stop needing you.”
“Ew, if you’re going to get mushy, we’ll go to the hotel.”
“Get used to the mushiness, stink bug,” Hunter says and kisses my cheek. “Turns out, I’m a mushy man.”
Epilogue
~Maeve~
“Merry Christmas,” I say to Rachel as I pass her a wrapped box with a big gold bow on top.
“I thought we already opened everything this morning,” Rachel says with a frown as she accepts the box.
It’s Christmas Day, midafternoon, and we’re all gathered at my brother Kane’s house to celebrate together as a family. Keegan even shut down the bar for the day. It’s a busy place with new babies and plenty of laughter.
Even Anastasia’s family is here.
It’s a big party.
But Rachel and my da have been huddled together in a corner all afternoon. Da’s been teaching her how to play chess on the new set she got for Christmas.
“There’s one more to open,” I reply with a shrug, and then grin up at my husband.
Hunter’s injuries healed after several months of rest, and then some rehabilitation. I didn’t think the bruises would ever fade.
Danny and Carla were both sentenced to prison time—Danny won’t be out for years. It turned out that Carla was the one who originally called the room to have Hunter go downstairs. She was charged with aiding and abetting.
But we’ve all settled back into a groove here on the island.
“I won’t say no to presents,” Rachel says and tears into the paper.
There are two items.
A T-shirt.
And a set of keys.
“Whoa,” Rachel says with wide eyes.
“You worked hard through driver’s ed,” Hunter says. “But before you make a mad dash for the driveway, read the shirt.”
She holds it up and reads aloud: “World’s Best Big Sister.”
Her jaw drops.
“Are you kidding me?”
“No, ma’am,” I say and laugh when she launches herself into my arms, then she signals to the others.
“You guys! My ma’s gonna have a baby!”
“We know,” Maggie replies with a laugh. “And let me tell you, it was a hard secret to keep.”
“I’m always the last to know everything,” Rachel says, but the smile doesn’t leave her face. “Can I see my car now?”
We follow her outside, and when she sees the little white Lexus with the shiny red bow, Rachel bounces excitedly on the balls of her feet.
“Oh my God, it’s so cute!” She kisses her dad, hugs me, and then makes a mad dash for the car.
“Only you would buy a sixteen-year-old a luxury car,” I say as we watch Keegan get in the passenger seat with Rachel so they can check it all out.
“I’m a car guy, babe. There was no way I was going to buy my daughter a Honda.”
I laugh and then glance over to where Cameron and Maggie have their heads together.
Maggie rolls her eyes.
Cameron grins.
“I wish she’d talk to me about him,” I murmur, and Hunter follows my gaze.
“Don’t worry, he’s figuring it out.”
“How do you know?” I demand.
“I talked to him.” Hunter shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“You talked to him.”
“Yep. He’s sick of waiting, and he’s got a good plan. There’s no need to worry.”
“You’ve just wormed your way right into my family, haven’t you?”
“It’s our family, babe.” He kisses my cheek and then waves toward the Lexus as it pulls out of the driveway. “Our family.”
With Me In Seattle Character Glossary
With more than twenty stories in the With Me In Seattle Series, I figured it was time to include a who’s who in the world, listed by family. Please know this may contain spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read all of the books, but it’s a great reference for those who want to make sure they read about everyone.
* * *
The Williams Family
Luke Williams – Hollywood movie producer. Married to Natalie Williams, a professional photographer. Parents to Olivia, Keaton, Haley and Chelsea. {Come Away With Me}
Samantha Williams Nash – Professional. Married to mega rock star Leo Nash. {Rock With Me}
Mark Williams – Works in Construction, for Isaac Montgomery. Married to professional dancer Meredith Summers. Parents to Lucy and Hudson. {Breathe With Me}
* * *
The Montgomery Family
Steven and Gail Montgomery – Parents of Isaac, Matt, Caleb, Will and Jules. Steven is the father of Dominic.
Isaac Montgomery – Eldest sibling. Owner for Montgomery Construction. Married to stay at home mom Stacy Montgomery. Parents to Sophie and Liam. {Under the Mistletoe With Me}
Matt Montgomery – Detective with the Seattle PD. Married to Nic Dalton Montgomery, the owner and baker at Succulent Sweets. Parents to Abigail and Finn. {Tied With Me}
Caleb Montgomery – Navy SEAL. Married to Brynna Vincent Montgomery. Parents to Josie, Maddie and Michael. {Safe With Me}<
br />
Will Montgomery – Quarterback for the Seattle professional football team. Married to Meg McBride Montgomery, a nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Parents to Erin and Zoey. {Play With Me}
Julianne (Jules) Montgomery McKenna – Entrepreneur. Married to Nate McKenna, the co-owner of their joint business. Parents to Stella. {Fight With Me}
Dominic Salvatore – Illegitimate son of Steven Montgomery. Owns vineyard and winery. Married to event planner Alecia. Parents to Emma. {Forever With Me}
* * *
Ed and Sherri Montgomery – Ed is Steven Montgomery’s brother. Parents to Amelia, Anastasia and Archer.
* * *
Archer Montgomery – Eldest of the siblings. Real estate mogul. Married to Elena Watkins. {You Belong With Me}
Amelia Montgomery Crawford – YouTube sensation, makeup brand owner. Married to Wyatt Crawford, architect. {Stay With Me}
Anastasia Montgomery O’Callaghan – Wedding cake designer and baker. Married to Kane O’Callaghan, world-renown glass blowing artist. {Dream With Me}
* * *
The Crawford Family
Melody and Linus Crawford – Parents of Wyatt, Levi and Jace.
Wyatt Crawford – (Mentioned above) – {Stay With Me}
Jace Crawford – Best cardiothoracic surgeon on the west coast. Married to veterinarian Joy Thompson Crawford. {Love With Me}
Levi Crawford – Detective for Seattle PD. Married to mega pop star, Starla. {Dance With Me}
The O’Callaghan Family
Tom and Fiona O’Callaghan – Parents of Kane, Keegan, Shawn, Maeve and Maggie.
Kane O’Callaghan – referenced above. {Dream With Me}
Keegan O’Callaghan – Owner of O’Callaghan’s Pub. Married to Isabella O’Callaghan, meteorologist. {Escape With Me}
Shawn O’Callaghan – Screenwriter. Married to Lexi Perry, novelist. {Imagine With Me}
Maeve O’Callaghan – Real Estate Agent {Flirt With Me}
Margaret Mary O’Callaghan – Youngest sibling. Widowed.
* * *
The Martinelli and Watkins Family
Vinnie and Claudia Watkins – Deceased. Parents to Elena Watkins. Vinnie is the former boss of the mafia syndicate.
Carlo and Flavia Martinelli – Carlo is the current mob boss. Parents to Carmine, Shane and Rocco.
Elena Watkins – Referenced above. {You Belong With Me}
Carmine Martinelli – Eldest son. Mafioso. {Underboss}
Shane Martinelli – Middle son. Mafioso. {Headhunter}
Rocco Martinelli – Youngest son. Mafioso. {Off the Record}
* * *
Other Important People
Asher Smith – Former partner to Matt Montgomery. Now lives in New Orleans, married to Lila Bailey, a college professor. {Easy With You, a 1001 Dark Nights Novella}
Bailey Whitworth, Gray McDermitt, Kevin Welling – {Burn With Me}
Benjamin Demarco – Owner of Sound Fitness, a gym in downtown Seattle. Married to Sabrina Harrison. {Shine With Me, a 1001 Dark Nights Novella}
Noel Thompson – Interior decorator. Sister to Joy Thompson. Married to Reed Taylor, a financial advisor. Parents to Piper. {Wonder With Me, a 1001 Dark Nights Novella}
Newsletter Sign Up
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Also by Kristen Proby:
Other Books by Kristen Proby
* * *
The With Me In Seattle Series
* * *
Come Away With Me
Under The Mistletoe With Me
Fight With Me
Play With Me
Rock With Me
Safe With Me
Tied With Me
Breathe With Me
Forever With Me
Stay With Me
Indulge With Me
Love With Me
Dance With Me
Dream With Me
You Belong With Me
Imagine With Me
Shine With Me
Escape With Me
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/with-me-in-seattle
* * *
The Big Sky Universe
* * *
Love Under the Big Sky
Loving Cara
Seducing Lauren
Falling for Jillian
Saving Grace
* * *
The Big Sky
Charming Hannah
Kissing Jenna
Waiting for Willa
Soaring With Fallon
* * *
Big Sky Royal
Enchanting Sebastian
Enticing Liam
Taunting Callum
* * *
Heroes of Big Sky
Honor
Courage
* * *
Check out the full Big Sky universe here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/under-the-big-sky
* * *
Bayou Magic
Shadows
Spells
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/bayou-magic
* * *
The Romancing Manhattan Series
* * *
All the Way
All it Takes
After All
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/romancing-manhattan
* * *
The Boudreaux Series
* * *
Easy Love
Easy Charm
Easy Melody
Easy Kisses
Easy Magic
Easy Fortune
Easy Nights
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/boudreaux
* * *
The Fusion Series
* * *
Listen to Me
Close to You
Blush for Me
The Beauty of Us
Savor You
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/fusion
* * *
From 1001 Dark Nights
* * *
Easy With You
Easy For Keeps
No Reservations
Tempting Brooke
Wonder With Me
Shine With Me
* * *
Kristen Proby’s Crossover Collection
* * *
Soaring with Fallon, A Big Sky Novel
* * *
Wicked Force: A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella
By Sawyer Bennett
* * *
All Stars Fall: A Seaside Pictures/Big Sky Novella
By Rachel Van Dyken
* * *
Hold On: A Play On/Big Sky Novella
By Samantha Young
* * *
Worth Fighting For: A Warrior Fight Club/Big Sky Novella
By Laura Kaye
* * *
Crazy Imperfect Love: A Dirty Dicks/Big Sky Novella
By K.L. Grayson
* * *
Nothing Without You: A Forever Yours/Big Sky Novella
By Monica Murphy
* * *
Check out the entire Crossover Collection here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/kristen-proby-crossover-collection
About the Author
Kristen Proby has published close to fifty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.
* * *
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats and dog.
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