Worth the Fall (The McKinney Brothers, #1)(82)

Gracie looked up at Tony. “Why would you frow a jar of honey?”

“He wouldn’t,” Matt said, zipping her up with a grin. “Too heavy for him.”

Gracie ignored the banter and bit into her cookie. Matt laughed. He’d missed this, being with his brothers. “Okay, all done,” he said to the kids. “You need your gloves?”

“No,” and they were escaping out the back door, cookies in hand, before he could ask again.

“You know J.T.,” Patrick said. “Doing his usual escape and evade.”

Matt straightened. “Really. Well, I think I can win that game.”

“You sure you want to? That kid is too cool for his own good.”

Yeah, Matt thought as Patrick opened a beer and passed it to him. He was sure.

“At least he’s not still whining about a rematch,” Tony said, looking at Andrew, referring to the Pictionary battle the night before.

The one in which Matt and Abby had kicked everyone’s ass.

“How the hell Abby got Santa Claus out of that jagged half Christmas tree you drew is beyond me,” Patrick said. “I’ve been married six years and still don’t know what the hell Sarah’s thinking half the time.”

“Shit. I’ve been married ten years.”

“And the best you can draw is a stick man,” Matt said, smiling. “Maybe I’m just gifted with a pencil.” There was the smallest of pauses, four brothers thinking the same thing. Because there was one brother who really was gifted with a pencil and he was the only one not with them on this holiday. Then the moment passed, each of them knowing there was nothing they could do.

Tony eyed him. “Anyway, I don’t think it’s your drawing skills.”

No. It wasn’t.

“You’re f*cking smitten,” Andrew said. “Look at him. You can see it in his eyes.”

Matt downed his beer. “You guys are worse than your wives.” Who along with his sister had already told him how lucky he was and warned him against being stupid.

Yep. And the grins on his brothers’ faces made it clear he wasn’t the only one smitten.

“You’re a lucky man,” Tony said. “Just don’t screw it up.”

“I don’t plan to.”

There was a scream from the backyard, followed by a chorus of whiny cries.

“Damn. That’s mine. Better go supervise.” Tony finished his beer and the guys headed out.

“Sounds like we’re raising another competitive generation.”

“Exactly how it should be.” Tony slapped Patrick on the back. “Minus the crying loser.”

“Fuck you.”

Matt laughed and veered off down the hall for a quick pit stop. He almost ran over Abby coming out of the bathroom as he was going in. Well, well, well. He’d just take advantage of this.

“Hey,” she said, smiling when his arms came around her.

“Hey,” he replied, backing her into the bathroom and closing the door behind him. He needed her. Or at least a taste.

He turned her to face the mirror and stood behind her. He loved her body, the curves of her breasts, the baby inside her. And he loved this dress with its very enticing buttons at the top. “Did I ever tell you I had a thing for buttons?”

“Do you?”

After three buttons, she sighed heavily and let her head drop back. He let his fingers roam. “I love looking at you.”

“I have a hard time believing you’re attracted to this.”

“Believe it,” he said, nuzzling her neck with his lips.

“I’m huge.”

“You’re beautiful.” And she wasn’t huge by any pregnant standards. Not that he cared. He raised his head so that his cheek was against hers and looked at them together in the mirror for a long moment. He loved her so much, for a second he could understand her fear at the enormity of what they had. It was awesome—as in, he was in awe of it. Of her. And one word came to mind.

Irreplaceable.

That’s what she was. Reluctantly he buttoned her back up. “What were you thinking about earlier? At lunch?” She scowled at him and he knew it wasn’t so much because he’d asked but because he’d noticed. Still trying to hide. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I just…smelled something and for a second…” Their eyes met in the mirror. “I couldn’t tell if it was a memory or not. Of my mom cooking. I’m sure she did, but I don’t…” She shook her head.

He’d thought a lot about Abby’s memories of being left, being hurt. He hadn’t thought much about the lack of happy ones. He would help her make a million.

He kissed her cheek. “My parents love you, by the way,” he said against her neck. “I told you they would. You didn’t have anything to worry about.”

Abby covered his hands with hers. “I was more worried they wouldn’t love me with you.”

“Abby.”

“Well, it’s not every day your son brings home a woman already pregnant.”

“At least my mom doesn’t have to worry I’ll knock you up.”

“Ha-ha.”

He moved her hair out of the way so he could find skin. “I’m not at all worried, but it doesn’t matter. It’s you and me, babe, all the way. Nothing will change that.”