Montgomery Ink 5 Ink Enduring Carrie Ann Ryan

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for himself, Border had left.
He d lost his best friend and the man he d fallen for in one fell swoop.
The fact that it had happened again only a couple of years later with Maya, had only brought
home the fact that Jake never truly knew what he was doing. He was always one moment behind, one
step in the wrong direction.
And now he had Holly. He d done right by her, and would continue to do so, because no matter
what he might have once felt for Border and Maya, Holly was now, and the others were in the past.
Jake ran a hand over his face and did his best to push those kinds of thoughts out of his mind. He
had work to do today, a few projects that were coming up on deadlines soon, and paperwork that
wouldn t do itself on his desk. He d worry about what to do with Border after he cleared his head. Of
course, as soon as he thought that, Maya popped into his brain and he cursed himself.
Of course, she would.
That damn woman always filled his mind when he didn t need her to.
He let out a breath and poured himself a cup of coffee, grateful that Border had already made
some. When he took a sip, he winced. Yeah, apparently, Border still liked the stuff damn strong. Jake
would just have to keep drinking and get over it. It s what he did for so many things now.
Instead of standing in his kitchen staring the coffee machine like an idiot, he made his way to the
back of the house where he d converted the second master into a workshop. For some reason, the
people who had owned the place had made two masters. He figured maybe they d had a parent or
someone living there with them, but either way, he d been able to use the room that got the best light
and happened to have wide doors leading to a large deck as his workshop. While it would have been
nice to have it as his own room, it worked better for all his clay.
While the rest of his brothers were in the restoration business and worked with their hands to
rebuild homes and aging structures, Jake used his hands to sculpt artwork. He made the usual pots,
plates, and vases, but also different pieces that were unique for each buyer. His main medium was
clay, but he also used stone and other gemstones. It was really what worked for the project. He even
had his own kiln out in the backyard in a specially designed structure he could walk right out to from
the deck.
He also did some work with his brothers since sometimes they needed small details done that
weren t in Graham, Owen, or Murphy s wheelhouse. Jake was a Gallagher brother, so even if he
sometimes felt like he was on the outside looking in when it came to their business, he still helped out
when he was needed. They were family.
He sat down on his stool and rolled his neck, knowing he needed to get to work and maybe even
let his mind get lost in the project. If that worked, maybe he could think about what to do next.
Because if he kept lying to himself, people were going to get hurt. And no matter what, Jake refused to
hurt someone he cared about. He d been kicked before, even if inadvertently, and he didn t want that
for Holly& or Border& or fuck, Maya.
Jake turned on his music and went to work. The soft, wet clay slid over his fingers, and he let out
a breath. This would help. It had before. He let himself get lost in his work and the music and pushed
all thoughts of what if out of his brain.
Much later, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end, and he shut off the pottery wheel and
radio before slowly turning around.
Griffin and Luc stood in the doorway, their brows raised. Griffin was one of the middle
Montgomerys and a writer while Luc had married into the family when he d wed his childhood
friend, Meghan. Either way, though, they d become Jake s friends since the Montgomerys were good
at collecting strays even if Jake hadn t really been a stray.
How long have you two been staring at me like the creepers you are? Jake asked as he stood
up, trying to ignore the creak in his lower back. Apparently, he wasn t as young as he once was, and
bending over a table for so long wasn t the best choice. He ignored the inner teenage boy giggling at
that thought and went over to the sink he d installed in the room. He also had a master bath attached to
the studio, but he tried to at least get the first layer of clay and crap off his skin before he used it. His
cleaning lady appreciated it.
We just got here, Luc said. We brought Thai food from that place you love since we were
around.
Jake frowned as he dried his hands. You mean to tell me you two just happened to be nearby
during a workday and brought food?
Griffin shrugged. I finished my book last week, and I m letting the next one stir a bit in my mind
before I sit down. Autumn is at Montgomery Ink today rather than doing admin things with me, so I m
not working.
And I m off today, Luc said. He ran a hand over his shoulder, and Jake winced for him. The
man had been shot by Meghan s ex not that long ago, and while he wasn t wearing a sling, Luc still
had to hurt most days. I don t work full-time yet, he explained. So I figured instead of bothering
Meghan, I d see what you were up to.
Jake still didn t quite believe everything they d said, though it sounded as if it was all truth. His
stomach, however, wasn t listening to his brain and grumbled loudly.
Griffin grinned at him and motioned him over. Come on. We set everything on your coffee
table.
Jake sighed and followed him, knowing resistance was futile. The Montgomerys were like the
freaking Borg. Even the ones who d married into to family and didn t carry the name tended to use
their long tentacles of caring and over-protectiveness to bring others in. And if Jake didn t feel like he
needed it today, he might have felt constrained. But either way, these two were here, and Jake was
going to eat some food and try to let his mind settle. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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