Oksana nodded. “You should.”
Sara’s attention slid past Oksana to the dart game on the far side of the room and the broad-shouldered man standing there, his muscular arm cocked. Snapping it forward, he hit the exact center of the bullseye.
When Lucky groaned and hung his head, Kieran slung an arm around his shoulders and muttered something that made Lucky grin. The next moment they were laughing and toasting each other.
This Irishman had shown up and turned everyone’s world upside down, including hers. She wanted him, and he’d already admitted he felt the same about her. Rance had offered his help.
Was she a fool to risk it? Or a fool if she let the opportunity pass her by?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kieran had met his match. Lucky was the best bleedin’ player he’d ever come up against. On the flip side of the coin, Lucky wasn’t having an easy time of it, either.
He didn’t whine though, and his cursing was mild compared to what flew around in the village pub. Not surprising. After all, he’d been raised in America. Kieran sensed a talent for it in the fire Lucky kept hidden.
He had the same fire. Granny said it came from his mother, so he’d kept it mostly hidden, too. Before he left Wagon Train, he’d talk to Lucky, tell him he wasn’t alone. And the fire was a gift.
In short breaks between games, they quenched their thirst, gave Sam some pets and talked about the easy stuff like work and play — his construction and Lucky’s bookshop business, what they did in their spare time. He told Lucky about Bailey and found out Lucky’s horse was Silver, the white one he’d seen on the walk with Sara.
As if by an unspoken agreement, they didn’t discuss their mum. He thought about her, though. Figured Lucky was thinking about her, too. Was she looking down on them, herheart filled with joy that they’d found each other? He wasn’t sure he believed that, but it was a touching thought.
When yet another game ended in a tie, he gazed at his brother.His brother.He never would have believed those words could exist in his world. “I don’t think I can beat ya, mate.”
Lucky smiled. “Oh, I think you can once you’ve rested up. Halfway through the first game I remembered you were jet-lagged. And still giving me a tough time.” He raised his hand, palm out. “Let’s call it.”
Kieran gripped his hand and squeezed. “Done.”
“And we’ll talk to Granny at nine in the morning, right?” He returned his darts to the caddy hanging on the wall.
Kieran followed suit. “As long as Oksana can do without you in the shop.”
“It’s scary how well she can do without me in that shop.”
“Then nine it is. That’s when Granny will be having afternoon tea. And after we hang up, she’ll have plenty of time before it gets dark to run round to the neighbors, spreading the news.”
Lucky picked up their empty bottles from a nearby table. “And there’s absolutely no chance she’ll turn on her video?”
“I’d bet my life on it. She refused to learn. When I showed her how it works and she saw her face on my phone, she yelled and ran out of the room. She almost gave up on the phone altogether.”
“Did you tell her nobody looks good on a video chat?”
“I did, and she saidwhat the feck good is it, then? Which tells you how upset she was. She’s not one for swearing.”
Lucky grinned. “Mom doesn’t like video chats, either. I want her to do some for M.R. Morrison fans who can’t make it to an in-person signing. She’s dragging her feet.”
“Why? She looks grand.”
“I think so, but she’s not happy with her resting face.”
“Her what?”
“Her expression when she’s just sitting there listening, not smiling or talking.”
“Ah. That’s what Granny’s objecting to, her resting face. I didn’t know what to call it.”
“I understand her feeling awkward. I just wish I could see….”
“You’d like to see her face, resting or not. That’s natural. But she?—”
