The Returned by Bishop O'Connell Read Free Book Online Page A

glancing at the rental car’s GPS. He was glad something of the woman he’d known as his mother was intact. He was still surprised by Fiona calling his father “Taid.” It was what he’d called his grandfather—the Welsh word for it—but he didn’t remember using it much around Fiona or explaining what it meant. He knew Fiona was smart, but he was continually surprised by how observant she was.
    â€œHi, sweetheart,” Caitlin said. “Are you having fun with Nana?”
    â€œHi, Fiona,” Edward said.
    â€œYes, that was Daddy saying hi.”
    Edward exited the highway and started maneuvering through surface streets as Caitlin continued her conversation.
    â€œOkay, I’ll call you tonight before bedtime,” Caitlin said. “I love you. Bye-bye, honey.”
    They wove their way into the French Quarter and pulled into the driveway for the hotel.
    â€œChecking in today, sir?” a uniformed man asked as he opened Edward’s door. Caitlin was receiving similar treatment.
    Edward popped the trunk and handed the keys to the valet. “Yes, Huntington.”
    â€œWe’re delighted to have you.”
    â€œLet me get those for you, ma’am,” another valet said, taking the suitcases from the trunk and loading them onto a cart. “They’ll be waiting in your room for you.”
    â€œOh,” Caitlin said. “Well, thank you.”
    Edward handed the valet a five-dollar bill, then took Caitlin’s hand, and they headed into the lobby. It was massive, with crystal chandeliers and marble floors.
    â€œYou did good,” Caitlin said, looking around.
    â€œThe hotel isn’t bad either,” Edward said.
    â€œSmooth.”
    â€œReservation for Huntington,” Edward said to the well-coiffed woman at the check-in desk.
    â€œYes, of course,” the woman said, her smile turning up. “We’ve been expecting you. The honeymoon suite is all prepared for you.” She handed him the key cards. “Elevator’s to your left, top floor.”
    â€œThank you,” Edward said.
    â€œThis place is incredible,” Caitlin said as they walked to the elevator. “I don’t think I’ve ever stayed anywhere nicer than a Holiday Inn before this.”
    Edward smiled. “We can afford it; it’s our honeymoon, and you deserve it.”
    â€œYou are so getting lucky tonight.”
    Edward blushed as the couple who exited the elevator sniggered and smiled.
    As they rode the elevator up, Caitlin squeezed his hand and pressed close.
    When they reached their room, he opened the door to their suite and led Caitlin inside.
    â€œHoly shit,” she said and stared slack-jawed at the room.
    Edward laughed.
    Together they stepped from the entryway and into the first room. It was the living room of the suite. He had to admit, saying it was lavish was an understatement. Lavish would’ve been without the fireplace and authentic eighteenth-century billiards table.
    â€œOh my God,” Caitlin said when she saw the huge bouquet of roses on the table, the plate of chocolates, and the champagne chilling.
    â€œI love you,” Edward said as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
    â€œYes, you do,” she said. She bent down and took a bite of a chocolate. “That’s good.” She fed the rest of it to Edward.
    â€œCome on, let’s see the rest of the place.”
    They went through the formal dining room, the bathroom—which Caitlin decided needed to come back to New Hampshire with them—the large deck with a spacious view of the city, and finally the bedroom.
    â€œI love the bed,” Caitlin said as she leapt onto the plush mattress of the canopy bed. She smiled and let out a long sigh. “I feel like a princess.”
    â€œYou’re so much more than that,” Edward said, then went to the bags and started to unpack.
    â€œI think I’m going to have