Entwined by E.C. Land (top android ebook reader .TXT) 📕

kid sleep in his own bed at night?” I chuckle, closing the door behind me as I step through.

“Yeah, I’ve convinced Bridget to stay at home more often instead of coming to work which, by the way, wasn’t all that hard. She wants to be home with him and doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of the strippers anymore. According to her, it’s not good for her or the baby, and I’m not talking about Liam here.” Dean grins smugly.

“Bridget’s pregnant again?” I ask, surprised by this yet not quite. Those two are always in each other’s embrace one way or another.

“Yeah, just found out she’s twelve weeks along.” Dean chuckles, causing Liam to move on his chest but not wake up. The kid is used to listening to his father’s baritone, so he doesn’t ever wake up when he’s in a deep sleep.

At first, when he’d been born, I’d felt many emotions where the baby is concerned. I didn’t want to hold the child but when Dean deemed me his godfather, of course, I had no choice in the matter. I held him and knew though I would never hold my own son that I’d buried next to his mother, I could give my love to Liam as if he were my own. Because no matter what, I’ll never have children. I refuse to even think about the possibility of it.

And that’s something Alison will have to live with because there will be none between her and myself.

“Congratulations,” I murmur and take a seat across from him.

“So you ready for the trip to Ireland in two weeks?” Dean asks, bringing up the time frame for when I’m to marry his sister-in-law.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I mutter, releasing a heavy breath.

“Good, I know it’s not easy for you to do this, but Alison is a sweet girl and though I haven’t seen her since the wedding, I have spoken to her over the phone when she’s taken Bridget’s calls. Tomàs MacDermott informed me, she arrived home from the abbey yesterday,” Dean says, giving me information I honestly don’t care about.

I have two weeks until I marry this woman-child and I don’t want to have to think about her or hear of her until the day I have to see her.

“That’s good,” I say with a nod.

“Been where you are, Mitch, I get it. It sucks not knowing what you’re getting, and you won’t until that day, but I’ll tell you this, at least think about opening yourself up to a chance,” Dean suggests.

“I’ll think about it,” I lie. I have no intentions of opening myself up to Alison, but I won’t tell him this. It’s my duty to marry her for the Alliance, so I’ll do what I must.

Chapter Two

Alison

Coming home is something I’ve dreaded for the past two years. I knew the day would come, but after avoiding home when Da offered to allow me to leave the abbey for holidays and such, I stayed where I could hide away from them all. I haven’t even seen my sister since she left Ireland, nor have I met my nephew.

The most I’ve done is seen them by video chatting with them or simply speaking to them over the phone. I didn’t want to see them in person and wish for more time.

Now sitting in the kitchen of Da’s home, I sip a cup of tea while looking at the newspaper. I get to stay in my childhood home for the next two weeks before leaving it once again. I hate the thought of leaving Ireland, my home, but I’m excited to be going to America. There’s so much to think about, and all of it is bittersweet as I realize how much I’ve missed home in the past two years.

Last night after arriving home, Da made sure that we spent time together and like when Bridget and I were children sat on the couch with me and watched a movie while eating take-out. This is definitely something I’ve missed. He’s a busy man but he always tried to carve out time for us. Even if it was for us to have dinner together each night.

“Good morning, iníon,” Da calls out as he enters the kitchen. “What are you doing in here drinking your tea, rather than at the breakfast table?”

“Morning, Da,” I murmur, giving him a smile. “I’ve been up since the sun rose in the sky. I’m used to being up early, so I’ve already had breakfast. One I cooked myself,” I announce, beaming at the accomplishment. It’s one of the things Sister Caitlin taught me while I’d been at the abbey. To cook as I’d wanted to learn.

“Much has changed with you m’iníon álainn. You seem different in some way, Alison, and I’ve missed having you home. The house is not the same without you and your tú féin agus do dheirfiúr,” Da says, coming further into the kitchen.

Of course, the house wouldn’t be the same. It’s only been him here for the past two years alone. At least, I think so. Da has never brought another woman into this house. Bridget and I knew he took women to bed but never here at our home. A home he shared with our mamma.

“I’m still the same person, Da, simply two years older in age and finished with my schooling is all,” I utter, not knowing what else to say. It’s somewhat strange being home and near him. Other than letters and a few phone calls with him, I’ve not seen him.

“Well, for the most part, my two weeks have been cleared to spend some time with you. How does that sound?” he announces.

“I would love that, Da.” I smile, loving he’d take the time to spend with me.

“Good, now I have something for you for your wedding day,” Da murmurs, shocking me with this news. “Here, come with me into the sunroom.”

Nodding, I slip off the barstool I’d been sitting on and step over