Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(35)

“I’ll call you in a couple hours. Tell your mom I’ll look for that art she was talking about. Oh, and I’ll pick your dad up some good tequila.”

“Bye, beautiful.”

I hate watching her walking away with that suitcase in tow. When she turns back she waves and blows me a kiss, which at least makes me smile. I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like a piece of me is leaving with her, and I hate it.



When I pull back into the ranch my dad is out front trimming the weeds. He turns off the machine and looks me up and down. “You’re pathetic, you know that?”

“Don’t start.”

“Wow, she’s got you by the balls.”

“Whatever.”

My phone chimes that I have a message, and when I see it my stomach knots up.



I’m in love with you, Joshua Healy. You better miss me. – Tamsyn



I’m in my twenties and never had a woman tell me she loves me, except for my family. I look to my father and struggle to speak. I’m in a trance. “She loves me.”

“Yeah, tell us something we don’t know.”

“I’m crazy about her,” I say while responding to her message I’ll never delete.

I’m not saying it until you get home, smartass. – Josh

“How long will she be gone?”

“Almost a week.”

“We’ve got a heavy workload coming up. It’ll go by fast and keep you out of trouble.”

“I haven’t gotten into trouble since I met Tamsyn.”

“Yeah, your mom tells me. She says she’s never seen your room so clean before. I’m impressed.”

“Me too.”

“You staying for dinner?” He asks.

“No. Cam and Wes invited me over. Actually, I’m babysitting for a few hours while they go somewhere.”

“How did they con you into that? You could have them drop the kids off here instead. We’d love to have them.”

My father is crazy about his grandkids, and it’s funny because he was such a hard ass with his own children. “I’ve got it tonight, Dad, but thanks for the offer.”



Mom makes me a plate of food before I leave, insisting I need to eat like she always seems to do. My forty minute drive to my sister and Wes’ place leaves me feeling depressed. I don’t understand why I’m this upset over Tamsyn leaving. We’ve gone almost five days without seeing one another and everything was fine. I’ll hear from her as soon as she lands, and after the week is over she’ll be back in my arms where I like having her.

I think my problem is finally being able to completely open up to someone. She knows everything. We don’t keep secrets. I used to think I had to lie to keep someone happy, but I’d been wrong. I talk to Tamsyn more than Wes, and I’m not sad about it. I get why Wes and my sister have such a strong relationship. What I once envied, I now get to experience through my own relationship. The best thing I ever did was hit on Tamsyn at the dealership that day, because I can’t imagine her not being a part of my life.



Wes and Cam are waiting for me at the back door, as if I’m late. As soon as I’m inside, I’m handed a crying baby and given a list of what I need to do for each kid, before they leave.

Madison is always a big help. She gets me the diapers and shows me where to find the bottles of breast milk in the refrigerator. Once my nephew gets that nipple in his mouth he starts to fall asleep. It takes me three tries to put him in his crib without waking him. After the final attempt, I find my niece crashed out on the couch. I carry the precious little girl to her princess decorated bedroom and tuck her in before going back out into the living room.



My phone rings, and I don’t have to look to see who it is calling. I pick up before the second ring happens. “You still my girl?”

“You know I am. Miss me yet?”

“I’m drowning here. I’ve spent the past two hours trying to get these kids to sleep. I’ll be crashing soon.”

“Are you staying there tonight?”

“Yeah, I reckon I might.”

“We just got checked into the hotel. It was about a forty minute ride without air-conditioning from the airport. I think I may take a shower before we have dinner. Do you want me to call you later tonight?”

“No. You don’t have to.”

“Okay.”

“Stay out of trouble, beautiful.”

She’s quiet, so I check to make sure we’re still connected. She wants those words. She’s ornery like that. Tamsyn has started something that can’t be taken back. “Are you upset I said it first?”

“No.”

“Josh…”

“I’m not,” I say with a reassuring chuckle. “It made me smile.”

“You don’t have to say it back.”

“I told you, I’m waiting until you get back. Don’t spoil it.”

“As long as I know it’s how you feel I don’t need you to say it back. I know it’s tough for you.”

“It’s not tough at all, Tamsyn. It’s so damn easy.”

“Ugh, you’re making me miss you already. I’ll call you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.”