Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers, #1)(78)

“Never again,” he whispered into her hair, her neck. “Never again will I be away from you like that.” He kissed her jaw, her cheek, then pressed his lips to hers. She smelled like heaven and like his life, his Abby.

At the sound of his brother clearing his throat, Matt lifted his head and sighed. He wanted to snap his annoyance, but he couldn’t kiss her the way he wanted to anyway, not with the kids running circles around them. “That’s my brother Tony. Tony, this is Abby.”

She swiped at her wet face and gave his brother a watery smile. Introducing her to his brother gave him an overwhelming sense of pride. She was nervous and teary and so beautiful he wanted to stop time and spend a minute, or twenty, just taking her in.

Tony stepped forward and kissed her cheek. “Nice to meet you, Abby. Beth’s looking forward to meeting you too, but she stayed at the airport to see an old college friend for lunch.”

“Oh, that’s nice. I’ll see her soon, then.” Abby ushered them into the kitchen. “I didn’t know if you guys would be hungry, so I made some lunch.”

“Wook, Uncle Tony, I can twirl.” Gracie showed off a new powder-blue tutu.

They all followed the twirl while Jack and Charlie clambered for Matt’s attention. Annie had hugged his neck, then disappeared.

“I’m almost packed. Help yourself while I finish,” Abby said, pointing out the plate of sandwiches and cookies on the island. “I can be ready in ten minutes and the kids’ stuff is by the door.” She darted around the kitchen, grabbing kid cups and putting out a bag of chips.

“I want a cookie, cookie, cookie,” Gracie sang as she hopped and spun around the grown-ups.

Matt stopped Abby’s hand as she reached high into the cabinet for a glass. “Go on. I’ve got this under control.”

She glanced around at the chaos, then flicked an unsure look at his brother. “Oh. Okay then. I’ll be quick.”

He watched her go and got that crazy falling sensation in his stomach for the tenth time today. He was taking them. With their bags of belongings, he was taking them home like he’d dreamed of doing since he’d stood on that beach three months ago trying to figure out how he was going to say goodbye. And now, if things went as planned, he’d never have to say goodbye again.

“Duice, peeze.” Charlie stood by the table cramming a piece of sandwich into his mouth.

“She’s nice,” Tony said, leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest.

Matt glanced up from the dishwasher, where he was grabbing a clean sippy cup for Charlie. “She’s more than nice.”

“Yes, she is, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate me pointing out all of her obvious virtues.”

Matt picked up Charlie and went to the refrigerator for the orange juice. “You’re right about that,” he said, smiling at his brother.

Tony eyed him moving around the kitchen, pouring juice, putting a little sandwich on a plate for Gracie.

“You look good here,” Tony said.

Matt eyed his brother. “I am good here.”

Jack ran back into the room. “Matt, can I bring my football helmet?”

“How about if I let you use mine? It’s at my mom’s and we’re going there today.”

“And we’re going to eat turkey?”

Matt ruffled Jack’s hair. “The turkey eating will be tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Jack said and went to return his helmet.

“Does Abby know you’re taking her to stay at your mommy’s?”

Asshole. Too bad he couldn’t say it out loud. “Abby knows my house is a work in progress and isn’t a good place for kids to run around.” Matt put Charlie down at the table with his drink and another sandwich. The boy could eat. “How’s the family?”

Tony knew exactly what he meant. He was worried about their opinion of Abby and especially his mother’s reception. At least Tony was on his side. He’d be damned before he let anyone make Abby feel uncomfortable. She’d never had a family. He wanted to give her that. He wanted to give her everything.

“Mom hasn’t said anything, at least not to me.”

Matt stopped what he was doing at the counter. “Let’s hope she doesn’t. Because if I have to choose”—he looked right at his brother—“it’ll be Abby and the kids every time.”

Annie walked up with her hands behind her back, a shy smile on her face.

She’d gone back to her quieter self around Tony.

Matt knelt beside her. “Hey, princess, what do you have?”

She pulled out her hand. His dive watch, too big to fasten around her arm, much less her tiny wrist, but he’d left it with her last time. A kind of tangible guarantee of return. He took it, and before he could thank her for keeping it for him, her arms were around his neck.

“You came back,” she whispered. “You kept your promise.”

“Always. I’ll always keep my promise, because you’re my princess and I love you.” He kissed her head and she took off up the stairs.

Matt smiled after her, his heart warm. “I’ll just go see if Abby needs any help packing.”

“Right.” Tony gave him a knowing smile. “Help her pack. You have ten minutes.”

Matt walked toward Abby’s bedroom, a grin on his face. He could do a lot in ten minutes. His body ached for her and no way in hell was he waiting until tonight. He reached the entrance to her room. She stood facing the bed, putting last-minute items into her suitcase.