Halo (K19 Security Solutions 8)

“It was all of us.” Ava and Aine followed her.

I hugged the invitation to my chest as tears ran down my cheeks. The simple truth was, if they hadn’t done this, I’d probably be in my eighties and have ten thousand paintings lined up and still not have agreed to do a show. I looked into Pen’s eyes first. “Thank you.”

She raced over and hugged me. “You know we’re doing this because we love you and are so proud of you.”

“You really think I’m ready?”

“You’re absolutely ready,” said Quinn, hugging me like Pen had, except around her massive pregnancy belly.

“When are you due again?”

She rubbed her stomach. “This little nugget can make a showing any time she wants after Friday. But to answer your question, not for another three or four weeks.”

“And I’m a month after her,” said Merrigan, Kade’s wife, coming in through the open door.

“I can’t believe my sister and my daughter are going to be the same age,” said Quinn, hugging her stepmother.

“We might as well tell,” said Ava, looking at Aine.

My eyes opened wide. “What?”

“Both of us are due in November,” answered Aine.

“Except I’ve only got one in here,” said Ava, pointing at her stomach.

“You’re having twins?” squealed Quinn, rushing over to hug Aine.

“It looks that way,” she answered, pulling out a sonogram photo and passed it around.

Penelope picked up one of my brushes and banged the end against the easel. “Ladies, need I remind you that Tara’s show is in three days? We have a lot of work to do.”

“Good thing we brought manual labor,” said Ava, pointing to the door. “The guys are out there, waiting to do your bidding.”

“Yes!” shouted Pen, pumping her first into the air. “Who’ve we got?”

“Tabon, Griffin, and Mercer for now. Kade is on his way,” said Ava.

Pen grabbed my arm. “Come on, let’s get this show hung.”

“I just need a minute.”

She nodded. “We’ll start moving everything into the gallery.”

Once everyone else was gone, Quinn walked over and put her arm around my shoulders. “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine. A little overwhelmed is all.”

“I understand. Just know that everything we’re doing is because we love you that much.”

I walked over, closed the studio door, and locked it. “There’s something I need to ask you.”

“Of course.”

“I should’ve a long time ago, and I know this isn’t the right time either, but I have to know.”

She walked over and took both of my hands in hers. “Tara, what is it?”

“The missing money and Aine’s bracelet—do you still think I stole from all of you?”