As his anger slowly faded, he dragged in a breath. “And I have abrother.” He might as well have said he had a unicorn judging from the level of disbelief in his tone.
“Yes.”
“That’s… I can’t even….”
“I know.”
He turned to Sara. “You have that picture on your mobile. Can I see it, please?”
“Coming up.” She took it out of her purse and scrolled until she found the wedding shot. Then she enlarged it to give him a closeup of Lucky before she handed over her phone.
He studied the picture for a long time, as if looking at it would cement the idea in his brain. “He has her green eyes.” He sounded wistful and a little jealous.
“But you have her mouth,” Desiree said. “I wouldn’t have thought I’d remember that, but I do. And her cheekbones. You both got those.” She hesitated. “This will be huge for Lucky, just like it is for you, but I don’t want to rush you into….”
“Where is he?” He continued to stare at the image on the phone.
“Down at the bookstore with Oksana.”
“And she’s….”
“His wife and business partner. If you’d shown up last week, they would have been at the new location in Apple Grove, but they’re here this week. Do you want me to drive you to town so you can meet him?”
“Thank you, but… not yet.” He squared his shoulders, his expression resolute. “After he closes up shop is better.” He handed Sara her phone with a murmur of thanks. “If someone can please run me back before closing time, I’ll wait at the hotel until?—”
“You have a room there?”
“I do. And a rented vehicle. Sara’s folks were kind enough to bring me out, but once I get used to driving on the wrong side, I’ll be able to take care of myself just fine.”
“I can tell you’re used to that.”
“I am.”
“And maybe you’d prefer the hotel, but… you’re family. I would very much like you to stay out here with us. Will you consider it?”
He didn’t answer right away. After an audible swallow he ducked his head. Then he drew a deep breath and looked up, his eyes moist. “I’d be honored.”
“Thank you.” She drew him into a hug.
He hugged her back, his eyes squeezed tight.
The emotions crowding Sara’s chest threatened to spill out, but she didn’t want to add to the drama. She blinked away her tears and stared at the floor.
She’d promised Lani she’d dial back her natural response to Kieran, but that wouldn’t be easy. He’d captured her imagination from the get-go. Now he’d stolen her heart.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Overwhelmed.Kieran had never been more disoriented in his life. He’d prepared himself for learning his mum was gone. Or he thought he had.
Maybe a fella couldn’t prepare for such a thing. Hearing it from someone who’d been there should have made it easier. Instead it was more vivid, more heartbreaking to find out she’d been so alone at the end.
Not completely alone, though. She’d had the brief comfort of the woman he was clinging to like a life raft on a storm-tossed sea. He finally made himself let go of Desiree, hoping to God he didn’t break down in front of all these people. In front of Sara.
Of the lot of them, he was most comfortable with her, had been ever since their time in Hannigan’s. What would she think of him now that she’d seen him like this, all choked up and on the brink of losing his shit?
Screwing up his courage, he glanced around at the five people in the room, each of them gazing at him with sympathy. He ended with Sara. “I’ll be honest. I’m having trouble handling….” He waved a hand in the air, unable to put the rest of it into words.
She came to his rescue. “Anybody would. I’m guessing you could use some down time.”
