Page 1 of Promising Her Forever

CHAPTER ONE

Fionn

My da was adopted when he was a baby. He was born in Ireland, at a time that was hard for young, unwed mothers. But he grew up with really great adoptive parents. When they adopted him, they already had two children, my uncail Colin, and my aintín Finola. Earlier this year, Da decided that he wanted to look for his biological parents. We found them, and they’re still together, sixty years later. We also found out my da has a biological sister, Caitríona. She lives in Lake Renegade, Illinois, and has a family of her own. We all took a month off and spent it in Lake Renegade.

After our vacation, my brother, Ciarán, and sister Aisling decided to move to Lake Renegade. They’re both dentists, along with Áine. But she wasn’t ready to leave our family dental practice so I stayed in Ireland with her. Six months ago, we started talking about it and decided it was time for us to move. When we talked to our parents, they told us that they wanted to spend more time in Lake Renegade too. So we’ve sold our familydentistry here in Ireland to a dentist we’ve worked with before. He lives in the neighboring town and our patients like him. The best part is he’s agreed to keep all our staff.

As for me, I’m a police officer—here in Ireland, we’re called An Garda Síochána. I’m a detective sergeant and I’m in the Armed & Tactical Unit. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am at my age. I considered staying here in Ireland, but now that all my siblings have decided to leave? I can’t see staying here alone. I have a few more days of work and then I’m done.

“Is it weird to be excited and sad all at the same time?” Áine asks as she joins me for breakfast.

“No, I feel it too. I’m excited that we’re going to be with the family, but I’m worried that it won’t be what I’m imagining. What if being a deputy there isn’t like what I do here?” I sigh as I put the food out.

“Ciarán and Aisling said how much they love it there.”

“Well, Ciarán also has Emilia now, so his opinion is not valid.” I chuckle.

“Yeah, I told him that the other day and he laughed. He said he’d love it there even if he didn’t have her.”

I laugh. “You need a ride to the office?”

Áine sold her car last week, so we’ve been sharing mine. I have a buyer for it, and they’ve agreed to take it the day we leave. Áine’s wrapping up all her patients today and tomorrow. Then we’ll be leaving in a few days.

“Sure, will you be done by six?”

“I should be, if not, I’ll still come get you when you’re done.”

“Thanks. I’ll be ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”

I load the dishwasher as I wait for my sister.

“Morning.” Da smiles as he joins me.

My parents passed their dental practice on to my siblings about five years ago. Since then, they’ve been enjoying their retirement together and I love that for them.

“I made extra for you and Mam.”

“Thank you, do you work today?” Da asks as he grabs some food.

“I do, I have two more days. I’m going to drop Áine off and head in. I should be done before she is.”

“How are you doing with leaving? I know you were saying that you were worried about it.”

“I’m just worried that it won’t be what I’m imagining. I am excited to work with Salvatore and his crew. They’re all really good people. But I’ve just worked so hard to be where I am here. And change has always been hard for me.”

My da gets up and hugs me.

“You’re going to be great wherever you go.”

“Thanks, Da. It’s just so different than here. But, I am finally excited. They threw me a party the other day and everyone said they’d love to visit us in Lake Renegade.”

Da laughs. “A lot of our friends have been saying that to us too.”

“Saying what?” Mam asks as she and Áine come downstairs.

“That they want to visit us in Lake Renegade,” I say as I grab my gear.

“Be safe,” Mam says as I hug her.