Page 41 of Fall of a Kingdom

“What’s that, hen?” Flynn demanded.

“He’s tired of living in both your shadows,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “It’s so obvious.”

“You don’t think this has anything to do with Jane?” Ash asked.

“I think he’s seeking solace in strangers when it comes to Jane,” I said, taking a sip of eggnog.

“It’s been years,” Ash pointed out. “And he’s still not over it?”

“He’s over her, I think. But she betrayed him. Now he has trust issues where women are concerned. It’ll take a very special woman to get him to open up again,” I said. “Besides, have you seen Ramsey? There’s no way he’s settling down any time soon.”

“Like a stag in rut,” Duncan muttered. “And all too happy to keep living that life.”

I raised my brows at Duncan’s tone and discreetly looked at Ash. A frown marred her forehead.

The trill of Flynn’s phone diverted our attention. Flynn dug his cell out of his pocket. He pressed a button and put it to his ear. “Cormac?” He paused for a long while and then said, “Shite. I’m on my way.”

He hung up.

“What happened?” I asked.

Flynn rubbed the back of his neck. “Donal and Maisie Henderson were in a bad car accident a few days ago.”

“Oh, that’s awful,” Ash murmured. “Didn’t Donal just start working at the distillery?”

“Aye,” Flynn said.

“Is it bad?” I asked.

Flynn nodded. “Donal died on impact. Maisie was rushed to emergency surgery when they brought her in, but she just went in again. She’s hemorrhaging.”

“Maisie’s pregnant,” Ash said. “What happened to the baby?”

“Delivered by C-Section,” Flynn replied.

Duncan took Ash’s hand and gave it a hearty squeeze. “I met Donal briefly. Good man.”

“Indeed,” Flynn said with a shake of his head.

“Wait, why did the hospital call Cormac?” I asked.

“He was listed as Donal’s emergency contact,” Flynn said. He stood, setting his eggnog on the coffee table. “Cormac asked me to come.”

I nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to, love.” Flynn touched my cheek. “I could be a while.”

“I’m going,” I said. I looked at Ash and Duncan. “You mind? The boys—”

“Go,” Duncan waved us toward the door.

“Thanks.”

Flynn shook Duncan’s hand and then we walked to the front room to gather our coats.

Angus usually drove us, but he was in Wales visiting his sister for the holidays. And since we were spending Christmas at Ash and Duncan’s, we hadn’t planned on needing Angus anyway.

“Take it slow,” I said once we were buckled into the car.