Page 45 of Guarding Salvation

Bram shook his head. “You townies.”

Snow lifted her middle finger as she walked away, making him chuckle.

“Race you upstairs. Last one up buys lunch.”

Bram saw the competitive nature switch on in Aoife and gave her a split second head start before chasing after her. This was fun and easy, but he needed to make sure he didn’t lose sight of why they were there and the goal, which was to end Jimmy Doyle. Maybe then Aoife could be free and they could figure out if they had a future.

Chapter 19

The village of McCullum was picture-postcard beautiful, even more so up close. Aoife could see from one side of the main street to the other it was so small, but every building seemed to have its own personality. “What was it like growing up here?”

Bram was holding her hand as they walked, Snow and Titan just a few steps behind them as they chatted. “Honestly, I hated it.”

Aoife raised her brows at his answer.

“I was fine when I was a kid, but as I reached my teens, I failed to see the beauty and only saw the lack of anything to do. There was no cinema, big shops, or arcades. Every person here knew me, so I couldn’t do anything without it getting back to my parents.”

“I get that, but you seem to love it now.”

“I do. It took being away for me to appreciate what I have here. I’d always loved the outdoors and I lived for rock climbing, shooting, camping, anything to do with the wilderness so I ended up spending lots of time doing that. My friends and I would camp in the forest and take girls down to the lake.”

“Oh, a bad boy, were you?”

Bram grimaced. “Let’s put it this way. If I ever have a daughter, she’s not dating a boy like me.”

Aoife laughed. “You want kids, Bram?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I feel I do then I think of the life I lead and know it wouldn’t be fair for a family to be forced into that life.”

“You won’t do this forever though, surely?”

“No, I guess not. What about you?”

“Yes, I want kids. I always vowed I’d give them the freedom and choices I never had.”

“You’ll be a great mum.”

Aoife glanced at him as they stopped outside a bakery. “You think?”

“Yeah. You’re strong, loving, kind. What more could you want?”

“I hope I’m strong enough.”

Bram cupped her face. “Are you kidding? You’re the fucking strongest person I know.” He kissed her then, slow and drugging and she sank into it, wanting more. Catcalling from behind broke them apart and Aoife blushed at Snow who was pretending to gag.

“Get a room, you two.”

“Abraham McCullum, is that you making out on my doorstep?”

Aoife and Bram turned to see an older woman wearing a green and white blouse, a green cardigan, and a plaid skirt, with her white hair pulled back into a bun at the base of her neck.

“Mrs Clark, it’s so good to see you.” Bram let go of her hand to hug the woman who seemed pleased to see him.

“Aye, laddie, it’s good to see you too. Been way too long ye been gone from us.”

“Well, it’s only a flying visit, but I wanted my friends to taste some of your delicious pineapple tarts.”

“Well, why didn’t ye say so?” Mrs Clark pulled Bram in through the door by the sleeve and motioned for them to take a seat. “Now, will you be having tea?”