Page 67 of Donovan's Men
He shook his head, a wry smile crossing his lovely lips. “No. I have to pull up my big-boy pants and handle this myself.”
Again, Donovan extended his hand.
Again, Hamish took it—but without hesitation this time.
Donvan squeezed. “We’ll drive around the area. You text when you’re ready for a pickup. I promise we’ll be there within minutes.”
“You don’t—”
“Yeah, we do.” This time, I spoke. With a firmness that brooked no opposition.
Hamish blinked. “Okay.”
I finished my breakfast, we didn’t top up our coffees, and we were on our way fifteen minutes later.
Chapter Fourteen
Hamish
I entered the code Alessandra had texted me an hour ago into the gate and proceeded up the tree-lined driveway on foot once the gate swung open.
Donovan had offered to have Tyson drive me up to the house. Clearly, Tyson hadn’t had a problem with that. He also suggested they could come in with me. In the end, though, I decided to make the trek myself. Allie and Smith would’ve welcomed my friends. Even, I was certain, given them a private room to hang out while I had mychatwith my bosses.
In the end, I had to do this myself.
The walk wasn’t long, and soon I emerged from the trees to find a large lawn covered in snow. Smith and Alessandra’s sprawling house caught my attention next. The showpiece spoke of quiet elegance. In my heart, I knew Allie would never have picked something so grand. But she understood what it meant to be Smith MacLean’s wife. To be part of their unit. His wealth afforded her little luxuries she never could’ve obtained before in her previous life. She never took those things for granted. Part of her life’s mission was to help those less fortunate. And to her, that meant ensuring all her employees had a living wage.
We appreciated that. Especially the entry-level people just starting their careers.
Plus, this house was as ecologically friendly as Allie could make it. From solar panels on the back roof to a heat pump to electric charging stations in the garage, this house left as small a fingerprint as possible.
As I approached the house, I debated the wisdom of being here. Yes, she’d texted to come over. Had sounded delighted, at least in the written word, that I was so close and could pay a visit.
Even as I hesitated, the front door opened.
Smith stepped outside, wearing just a gray T-shirt and distressed blue jeans. He caught my gaze and beckoned me to advance toward him.
I did, still hesitant. When I was close enough, I muttered, “I’m sorry.”
He offered a broad grin. “You know Alessandra loves company—when it’s someone she knows and trusts. Wesley is, blessedly, just down for his nap.” He pointed down the driveway. “The security system alerted me that you’d arrived. Since I didn’t want you ringing the doorbell and waking the baby, I figured I’d come out and meet you. I tried to convince Alessandra to go down for a nap, but she’s wired. We’re just about to have some decaffeinated tea.”
I cocked my head.
“Okay, I’m sneaking in a coffee. With caffeine. But I have to try to be empathetic to my wife who’s religiously off the stuff. Breast feeding,” he added.
Which I’d guessed but never would have vocalized. I’d done extensive studying about infant development in university—because I suspected I’d be counseling plenty of people, including new parents. I’d refreshed that knowledge when Allie shared she and Smith were expecting.
I followed him into the house and slipped out of my boots. I handed him my coat, which he hung in the closet.
He pointed to the back of the house where I supposed the kitchen was.
“Do I need to whisper?” Of course, I asked the question in a whisper.
“Nah. Wesley’s asleep in his room.” He pointed up and toward the opposite direction. “We’ve got a white-noise machine in his room and solid doors. Plus a baby monitor, so we’ll hear him for sure. He’s been awake for hours, so we’re hoping he’ll geta good nap. Damn kid’s always hungry, though. We can’t keep up.”
We entered the kitchen to find Allie at the kitchen table with her head in her hands.
Regret swamped me.
