She grinned. “Different people. For one person that would add up to a really bad day.”
“Wow.” Desiree’s eyes twinkled. “What a terrifying list. I’m surprised you got on that plane back in February.”
“By that time I’d figured out my friends were afraid I’d fall in love with the place and move here like my two brothers did. I have fallen in love with it but they didn’t have to worry. I’m not planning to leave them or my awesome job.”
He didn’t want her to leave her job, either. It was his only hope for seeing her again, assuming she made it to Dublin as she’d predicted. Or London. He’d meet her there if it came to that. Even Paris wasn’t out of the question.
Bottom line, he would see her again. Somehow. The idea that she’d disappear from his life was unacceptable.
“Neither of you brought your drinks when we came out here. Do you want me to go get them?”
He shook his head. “I thought it would settle my nerves, but I don’t want to be sitting here enjoying a beer when they come in.”
“Why not?”
“It seems… disrespectful. Lucky closed up shop early so he could make this meeting happen sooner. He and his wife… what did you say her name was?”
“Oksana.”
“Lucky and Oksana likely had things to do, but they dropped everything for me. Rance will be missing work, too. What does he do there?”
“Mostly bartending. Sometimes serving if he’s needed.”
“Which means they’ll be a man down behind the bar because of me. Greeting them with a beer in my hand isn’t right. Granny wouldn’t approve, I can tell you that.”
“Well, if you all decide to have something after they arrive, the fridge behind the bar is stocked.”
“Thanks. That’s a better plan.”
“Speaking of your granny, have you found a moment to contact her? I’ll bet she’ll be blown away.”
“That she will, but it’s the middle of the night. I’d give her a heart attack.”
“Oh,right. It’s good you remembered that. When Andy and I were in Kenya I got a call in the middle of the night. Totally freaked me out.”
“Kenya?”
“For our honeymoon. I’ll show you pictures later. Anyway, an editorial assistant who didn’t know I was out of the country called about a minor….” Her breath caught as Sam trotted to the wide double door on the far side of the room. “They’re here.”
He gulped. “You’re staying, yeah?”
“No. I might try to direct things.” She hugged him and then Sara. “You’ll be fine.” Turning, she left quickly, pushing through the swinging louvered doors into the hallway.
His gut churning, he turned to Sara. “This is it.”
“It’ll be awesome.”
“Thanks for being here.” Leaning down, he gave her a quick kiss. “For luck.” The response that flared in her eyes was a welcome distraction from the heavy thud of his heart. He promised himself they’d enjoy a longer kiss the first chance they had.
Truck doors opened and closed. A woman’s calm voice mingled with the deeper, more agitated tones of two fellas. Then one of them sang the first few words ofDanny Boy.Not bad, either. The other shushed him.
Kieran pegged Rance as the singer and Lucky as the one who’d cut him off. Taking a breath was torture when his lungs felt like they were made of steel, but he forced himself to do it so he wouldn’t be light-headed when they came in.
And why in God’s name was he just standing still like a buck eejit? Striding toward the door, he grabbed the handle of the right-hand door and yanked it open.
The three people on the other side jumped back with a yell of surprise.
Lucky.Recognition was instantaneous, a knowing that sank into his chest and seeped through his pores.My brother.The clues were there — the hair, the chin, the body build, a long-ago memory of those green eyes.
