Bottom Line: Callaghan Brothers, Book 8 (28 page)

“I am so happy for you both,” Dione said, raising a toast to the newlyweds.  “Though I must admit, I feel cheated.  Two children, and I have not been able to plan a gala for either of them.”

She seemed so genuinely disappointed, that Mary suggested a post-wedding dinner party to make up for it.  Given the way Dione’s eyes lit up and Aidan whisked them out of there, Mary guessed that “dinner party” would entail more than a quiet family get-together. 

While that thought was daunting, imagining how much of Aidan’s special distraction techniques the event would require was encouraging.

“One down, one to go,” Aidan said cheerfully as they headed back to the airport the next day.

“One what?”

“Family.  You’ve met mine, now it’s time for me to meet yours.”

All of the warm and fuzzy she was feeling started to fade.  Mary wasn’t so sure she wanted Cat Murphy anywhere near Aidan, and she certainly didn’t see any reason to tell her exactly who Aidan was or what he did for a living.  Who knew what her mother would do with that information?

“How about later rather than sooner?” she asked hopefully.

“She can’t be that bad.”

“Famous last words,” she snorted. 

“What are you so afraid of?”

“That she is going to go completely nuts when she finds out who you are, Aidan.  To my mother, a man is the same thing as a meal ticket, and you, my sexy, wealthy husband, are the equivalent of a lifetime of all-you-can-eat buffets.”

He laughed, but thankfully, took pity on her.  “Well, we don’t have to confess everything.  And this way I’ll have a face to go with the name on the restraining order.”

“Okay,” she conceded.  “But dinner has to be cheap take-out, you are not allowed to shave, and we’re stopping at the nearest Walmart to pick out something appropriate for you to wear.”

Mary was forced to reconsider the sanity of that plan when the day’s worth of growth gave him a roguish look that made him even sexier, and those snug fitting boot-cuts hugged his fine behind.  Cat Murphy was beyond thrilled that Mary had finally found herself such a good-looking man, but was a little less enthusiastic when they told her that Aidan worked in the “food industry”.  It probably didn’t help matters when they went to the local tavern to celebrate the news and Aidan made a point of asking everyone ‘if they wanted fries’ with their dinner.

Mary rewarded him greatly for that one.

A
fter nearly a month of newlywed bliss upon tropical shores, they returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania.  With Shane’s help, they found the perfect property on the ridge between Pine Ridge and Birch Falls, with stunning vistas of both valleys.  They met with Kieran’s wife, Faith, who helped them design the perfect home.  It had lots of open, airy spaces, and even a small custom greenhouse that doubled as a solar.  Connelly Construction accepted the job, with a completion date slated for the middle of December so that they would be able to spend the holidays in their new home.

While their new home was being built, they lived at Mary’s.  As much as Mary loved her house in Birch Falls, they both agreed it was time to move on.  There were too many memories, too many ghosts, and they were anxious to create some new memories of their own. 

It took a while, but Mary eventually came to terms with the fact that she was married to a very wealthy man.  She learned to be very careful about what she said, because if she said she liked something, Aidan’s first instinct was to buy it for her.  He left the decorating of their new home up to Mary, but she insisted on him taking part so the house would truly be his, too.

There was only one room that he wanted complete and absolute autonomy in designing, although, in fairness, most of it was built with Mary specifically in mind.  Mary had no problems whatsoever in trusting Aidan to design the perfect “playroom”. 

On New Year’s Eve, Aidan stood on the balcony off their master bedroom, looking down at the postcard view of the valley below him.  In the silvery light of the moon, the snow cover gleamed brilliantly, spread out before him like a pristine blanket.  A cool breeze wrapped around him, teasing his hair, bringing with it the scents of pine and snow.  Behind him, his exhausted wife slept, though even now she reached out to him in her sleep.  Their dog, Max, snored loudly, content on his own twin-sized doggie bed rigged low to the ground so that he could get in and out easily without putting undue stress on his hips.

A year ago, he had stood in his office, looking out at a similar view.  Then he had wondered if he was destined to live his life alone, or if there was a woman out there somewhere who had been created just for him.  Now, of course, he knew the answer.

He’d found his
croie
.  His perfect woman. 

He’d never doubted it for a minute.

C
hances are that like me, you have been affected by breast cancer.  Since it is the most common cancer in women worldwide (1), it’s nearly impossible not to.  Whether you’ve dealt with it yourself or know someone who has, you know how terrifying and life-altering it can be.

What’s even scarier is that the most significant risk factors – being female and aging (2) – aren’t really things you can avoid. 

The good news is, monthly self-exams (even if you’re naturally lumpy!) and regular annual mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths. So can knowing which changes are normal and which are not. 

Thanks to early detection, better screening, increased awareness, and new treatment options, breast-cancer related deaths have been declining for the last twenty-five years (2).

The most important thing is this: 
Take care of yourself.  People love you.
 

For more information, check out these great resources

• ⁽¹⁾
  World Cancer Research Fund International:
  http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-specific-cancers/breast-cancer-statistics
  
• ⁽²⁾
  DoSomething.org:
  https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-breast-cancer
  
• The American Cancer Society: 
  http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsstatistics/breast-cancer-facts-figures
  
• Susan G Komen for the Cure:
  http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/AboutBreastCancer.html
  

I
hope you enjoyed reading Aidan and Mary’s story – thank you! 

Writing the Callaghan Brothers series has been an amazing experience.  The characters have become very real to me, and from what you are telling me in your emails, posts, and reviews – they have for you, too!

Before you worry that this is the end – don’t.  There is still more to come.

You might have noticed that the Connelly cousins (Celina, Johnny, and Michael (yes, another Michael)) pop up occasionally.  They have their very own stories, too.

AND, if that wasn’t enough, I’m considering writing some more.  Many of you said you would like to read Jack’s, Nick’s, Taser’s, Brian’s, and Corinne’s stories.  As soon as they start whispering in my ear, you’ll be the first to know.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for coming along on this crazy, wonderful ride with me.  It’s not over yet 

Abbie

Y
ou didn’t have to pick this book, but you did.  Thank you!

If you liked this story, then please consider posting a review online!  It’s really easy, only takes a few minutes, and makes a huge difference to independent authors who don’t have the mega-budgets of the big-time publishers behind them. 

Log on to your favorite online retailer and just tell others what you thought, even if it’s just a line or two.  That’s it!  A good review is one of the nicest things you can do for any author.

As always, I welcome feedback.  Email me at
[email protected]
.  

Or sign up for my mailing list on my website at
http://www.abbiezandersromance.com
  for up to date info and advance notices on new releases, Like my FB page (AbbieZandersRomance), and/or follow me on Twitter (@AbbieZanders). 

Thanks again, and may all of your ever-afters be happy ones!

Abbie

A
bbie Zanders loves to read and write romance in all forms; she is quite obsessive, really.  Her ultimate fantasy is to spend all of her free time doing both, preferably in a secluded mountain cabin overlooking a pristine lake, though a private beach on a lush tropical island works, too.  Sharing her work with others of similar mind is a dream come true.  She promises her readers two things:  no cliffhangers, and there will always be a happy ending.  Beyond that, you never know...

Contemporary Romance

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First and Only (Callaghan Brothers, Book 2)

House Calls (Callaghan Brothers, Book 3)

Seeking Vengeance (Callaghan Brothers, Book 4)

Guardian Angel (Callaghan Brothers, Book 5)

Beyond Affection (Callaghan Brothers, Book 6)

Having Faith (Callaghan Brothers, Book 7)

Five Minute Man (Covendale Series, Book 1)

All Night Woman (Covendale Series, Book 2)

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Lost in Time II

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