Special Delivery by April Wilson

Chapter 26 – Bridget

Bridget McIntyre

I still can’t believe my baby girl is married. Well, nearly married. I know they still have to take care of the paperwork, but that’s just a formality. The important thing is that Lia said I do in front of a room full of people. She stood up with Jonah, in front of Cooper and all of us, and pledged herself to Jonah.

I’m still pinching myself.

“You must be thrilled, Bridget,” Ingrid says.

“I’m over the moon.” Laughing, I wipe at my teary eyes. “I was so afraid Lia would never go through with it—she just can’t stand being the center of attention. Poor Jonah has been so patient and tried so hard to get her to settle on a date. He was smart to do it spontaneously.”

“He knows her, Bridget,” Ingrid says. “Probably better than anyone. Kudos to him.”

Calum walks into the great room. “Well, that’s all done. The guys are back.”

“Did they find those awful young men?” I ask.

Calum nods. “Put the fear of god in them, from what I heard.”

“Poor Erin,” Ingrid says.

Calum takes my hand and pulls me close. “Ready for bed?”

“I am. Lead the way.”

“I have to hand it to Jonah,” Calum says as we climb the stairs. “He knows our daughter well. Sometimes I think he knows her better than she knows herself.”

As we walk up the stairs arm in arm, he says, “Four kids down; three more to go.”

When we reach our room, I pull a nightgown out of a dresser drawer. When I turn, Calum’s undressing. I pause a moment to admire the view. At sixty-five years of age, he’s still a very handsome and fit man. His trim gray hair only adds to his appeal, making him look quite distinguished.

He catches me eyeing him. “You like what you see?”

I grin. “You know I do. Where do you think all our handsome sons got their good looks?”

Calum laughs as he walks toward me in nothing but his boxers. I take in his broad chest and firm biceps. His years as a firefighter honed his body, and he hasn’t gone soft since he retired. Of course, he works hard around the house, taking care of the property and his collection of classic cars, helping out the kids, chasing after our grandson Aiden—it keeps him in shape.

He cups my face in his big hands. “And where do you think our beautiful daughters got their looks from?” He leans down to kiss me. “Watching Lia standing up there tonight—she reminded me so much of you on our wedding day. Of all our daughters, she takes after you the most—the same sweet face and freckles, the same blue eyes. It just about choked me up.”

Calum threads his fingers through my hair, which is hanging loose and curly today, just at my shoulders. I’m sixty, and I have more than my fair share of silver strands already—I attribute them to being the mother of seven strong-willed children. But they blend into the strawberry-blonde strands so well that they’re pretty well camouflaged.

My husband glances down my torso. “Someone still has her clothes on.”

My cheeks heat as I smile. Sliding my hands down the sides of Calum’s torso, I come to the waistband of his boxers. “Someone still has his boxers on.” I go up on my toes and kiss him. “Give me a minute to get ready for bed.”

I disappear into our bathroom to freshen up for bed. He follows me in and does the same. As we stand side by side at the bathroom counter and brush our teeth at the his-and-her sinks, our gazes meet in the mirror.

We’ve been married for nearly thirty-eight years now, and we’re the parents of seven grown children and one baby angel in heaven. The day I met Calum McIntyre was the luckiest day of my life—it was also the day he saved my life. But the real blessing was falling in love with him and receiving his love in return.

Finished in the bathroom, we walk out together, and Calum turns off the light behind us. He slips up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. His lips graze the side of my neck, sending shivers through me.

“You still have too many clothes on, woman,” he says as he reaches around to unbutton my blouse.

We may have been married for nearly four decades, but the fire still burns hot between us. Every day I wake up next to this man, I count my lucky stars.

Calum’s hands slip around me, right beneath my breasts, and he kisses the side of my neck. “This weekend was a nice break for everyone. It’s good to have all the kids under one roof. The grandbabies, too.”

I can’t believe we have five grandchildren now, soon to be six when Sophie and Dominic’s baby arrives. And I have a pretty strong feeling that more grandbabies will be forthcoming. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jake and Annie have more children, and Shane and Beth, too. What I’m really hoping is that Jamie and Molly will tie the knot and start a family. I know how much my second son wants to be a father and husband.

Then we just have to wait on the younger three to catch up and start families of their own.

Calum pulls my blouse off me and tosses it onto a chair. Then he unfastens my skirt and skims it down to my ankles. He unfastens my bra, dropping it, and slips my panties off me. I’m standing bare naked in front of him while he’s still in his boxers.

When I shiver from head to toe, he grins as he reaches around me to cup my heavy breasts. Then he starts working kisses down my neck and across my shoulder. One of his hands slides down my torso, past my waist, until he cups me between my legs. When he presses up against me, I feel the ridge of his erection nudging me from behind.

My breath catches in anticipation, and I moan softly as my head falls back against his shoulder. My legs are like jelly now, threatening to give out on me. When his fingers slip between my legs and start teasing me, my belly quivers.

Without warning, he scoops me up into his strong arms and carries me to the bed, laying me down gently. He’s a big man, strong and powerful, but he treats me like I’m made of spun glass.

His gaze locks onto mine as he strips quickly. “You take my breath away, Bridget McIntyre.” He climbs onto the mattress, crouches over me on all fours, and leans down to kiss me. Pretty soon he’s working his way down my body, pausing to kiss my breasts, flick my nipples gently with his tongue, then down to my belly button and farther below.

I gasp when I feel his tongue between my legs. My fingers latch onto his hair, and I show him want I want.

Soon I’m panting for air and my cries are loud.

Dear Lord, I hope no one can hear us.