Ryan's Renovation (The McKade Brothers #3)
Page 18
The kid brother no one thought would grow up and learn the meaning of responsibility was the first of the McKade men to become a father. “We’re having all boys,” Ryan whispered in Anna’s ear.
“I’ll give you as many boys as you want, as long as I have one little girl.” Anna rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He hoped they’d be blessed with several children because he wanted Anna to have the family she’d always dreamed of. And he hoped that with time, Tina would find her way back to them.
“Take off her veil, Ryan,” Bobby Parnell shouted. The rubbish-company owner had made great progress in dealing with his gambling addiction. He and his wife were still separated, but Mary had agreed to hold off filing for divorce for one year. Parnell now worked side by side with Eryk, Antonio, Joe, Patrick and Leon at their new location in north Queens. Anna ran the office and managed the books.
“I guess we’d better do as they ask before one of the guests rips the veil off your head,” Ryan complained. Who’d have thought Polish wedding guests could be so obnoxious. Carefully, Ryan removed the decorative pins holding Anna’s headpiece in place. He spread the gauzy material across his arms and waltzed around the circle, catching the dollar bills and coins thrown by the well-wishers. Of all the Polish customs he’d been introduced to, this one was his favorite. Tradition said the money was to be used to help pay for the couple’s honeymoon. Anna hadn’t been told yet, but Ryan was surprising her with a trip to Europe.
The circle opened to allow Nelson and Aaron inside. Side by side, they dug out their wallets. Nelson removed a hundred-dollar bill and tossed it onto the veil. Not to be outdone, Aaron copied his eldest brother, and added an extra hundred.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Nelson grumbled, throwing more money.
“Says who?” Aaron matched his brother’s contribution.
And so it went until both brothers had emptied their wallets and stood gaping, dumbfounded, at each other.
Ryan handed the veil to Eryk’s sister-in-law for safekeeping, then slung his arms around his brothers’ shoulders. “I thought Grandfather had lost his mind when he decided to teach each of us a life lesson. Not anymore.” Ryan shifted his attention to Anna, who now stood sandwiched between his sisters-in-law, Ellen and Jennifer.
“Another toast!” Ryan’s grandfather insisted, holding his companion, Mrs. Padrõn, close. A hush fell over the room as Patrick McKade lifted his champagne glass, then gazed adoringly at the woman by his side. “Here’s to life lessons and the women who teach them!”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0454-0
RYAN’S RENOVATION
Copyright © 2007 by Brenda Smith-Beagley.
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