Finally Finn (Los Rancheros #4) by Brandace Morrow

act as CEO,
and that’s never changed. They found out the cancer had spread to
Annie’s lymph nodes. She didn’t last long, but she made me promise
to take care of the kids. Aiden still hadn’t seen them. My dad had
food brought to her hospital room three times a day. He only took a
shower because the nurses would kick him out if he was unclean with
her lowered immune system.
    “She died in September, just as all of the
leaves were changing, and we buried her next to the cabin they got
married at. Aiden moved in there and hadn’t left for six years,
until my dad got sick. I took the girls home when they left the
hospital, to Aiden and Annie’s house, and they’ve lived here ever
since.”
    “So how do you go to the hospitals on
Sundays?”
    “Aiden started watching the kids on the
weekend to give me and dad a break when they started getting more
self-sufficient. He still can’t take them for more than a few days
at a time. They look just like Annie, especially now.”
    “And the angel?” He sighs and rubs his hand
down my arm absently.
    “I met Ali through Deklan Thomas at a
fundraiser and decided to get it done. Aiden actually went with me
and got the same thing. He’s not okay.”
    “All the more reason for the kids to know how
to swim,” I say quietly.
    “Agreed. I should have been on top of that. I
work so much . . .”
    “You’re gonna have to figure out how to
delegate or something, because all I’ve done is housework and take
care of them since I’ve been here and haven’t been able to do much
else.”
    “You’ve been great. Sorry I jumped in the
lake.” I giggle, picturing him going in with his suit.
    “Did you lose your cell phone?”
    “Yeah, I have to get a new one tomorrow.” We
watch the sky starting to get brighter. “Or today, I guess.”
    “We should go in. The kids are going to be up
soon. When do you leave?” Batty stands and offers his hand to pull
me up.
    “After they get dropped off at school. The
flight isn’t bad, though. I’ll try to get back soon.”
    “Alright.”
    “Are you going to be okay here with them?” he
asks as he shoulders the bag and we walk back into the house in our
towels. My legs are stiff from the cool water and workout. Given a
few more hours, I doubt I’ll be able to walk.
    “I’m fine. I’ll take them down this weekend
to go to the hospital again if you’re okay with it. The at home
visits are going to be a problem, though.” I follow Batty back to
the master bathroom and drop my towel when he does.
    “I’ll figure that out. My dad’s doing better,
he just can’t move a lot. I don’t like leaving him alone at the
hospital,” Batty says, turning on the water and walking into the
shower. I follow close behind him and hug his cold back to my
front.
    “I know. You’re a good son,” I say quietly,
thinking about my parents and cringing. “Sorry about scratching
your angel.” I change the subject quickly.
    Batty turns in my arms and puts my head under
the water. “It was hot.” He kisses my lips. “And intense.” He
kisses my nose. “And probably necessary.” He kisses my forehead
then steps back to pour shampoo into his hands.
    Finnigan Brennick giving me a head massage is
probably one of the most erotic things I’ve ever experienced. My
toes curl and goose bumps break out on my body.
    “There’s one thing you need to get before I
can get back on a plane, baby.” I wipe my face and open my eyes,
changing places with him so that he can wet his hair.
    “Okay.” Batty looks down at me with stubble
on his chin, his hair slicked back and water running down his face.
He takes my breath away.
    “I was in love with a woman who didn’t love
me back for a long time. I’ve taken care of her kids. I’ve gone to
the hospital to volunteer where she did. I work my brother’s
business. You are the only thing in my life that I do for me.
You’re my rainbow in a black and white world, and I fucking love
that. I love what we