Page 187
His sigh echoed Felicity’s earlier one.
“I did something that upset her,” he admitted, moving closer.
“Upset?” Rae repeated, arching an eyebrow.
Ronan scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “That’s probably an understatement.”
“Then you'd better make amends, Ronan Murphy, because I do not intend to lose my sister again so soon after finding her.”
They climbed the steps together.
“That’s the plan,” he muttered. “It’s just going to be one hell of a fight.”
“You’re a Marine.” She tilted her head. “What’s that saying you people use?”
“Improvise, adapt, overcome?”
“That’s the one.” She stopped outside the patio door and turned to face him. “But, Ronan, treat her with care. She’s … precious.”
His expression turned solemn. “I will.”
Well, the improvise part arrived quickly.
The pugs weren’t cooperating when Felicity wanted to leave.
Maisie stuck to Felicity’s heel while Millie rode in her arms, but Maggie was nowhere to be found as Felicity — and others — called for the dog.
And Ronan could hear the panic creeping into Felicity’s voice.
He walked to the bottom of the stairwell and let out a sharp whistle.
The house fell silent.
He whistled again.
Patter of paws from above.
Moments later, Maggie appeared at the top of the stairs, Kismet lumbering behind her.
The pug’s expression was one of complete innocence, as if to say, What’s the problem?
Ronan huffed out a laugh and climbed the stairs. “Naughty girl,” he murmured, scooping Maggie into his arms. Quieter, so only the dog could hear, he added, “But thank you.”
Cradling the thoroughly unrepentant pug against his chest, he descended the stairs and joined the group gathered at the bottom. He looked at the highly irritated woman he loved more than life itself. “I’ll carry her out,” he said. “Before she runs again.”
Felicity muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like traitor and turned toward the front door.
Ronan hid a smile and followed.
Looking for her Bronco, he stopped abruptly when she unlocked a van. “The hell?”
He stared. Even in the streetlight, the thing looked ugly. “You have a van?”
She slid open the side door. The interior light flicked on, revealing a small kitchen area. He was at a loss for words.
Felicity placed Millie inside, lifted Maisie in after her, then relieved him of Maggie so she could join her sisters.
Closing the door, she faced him. “I was on the road. A van made things … simpler.”
