“You know, he might not have locked it.” Sara pictured the scene in Hannigan’s. “He was exhausted from driving on the opposite side from what he’s used to.”
“Exactly.” Rance looked at Oksana. “You could go ask him, and if it’s open, somebody who’s still in town could swing by and get his stuff. Like Clint, Tyra, Bret, Gil, even Jess if she’s still at the newspaper office.”
“I’ll go check.” She left for the kids’ wing.
Sara gazed at her co-conspirator with a new level of respect. “Rance McLintock. You have the mind of an international spy.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m ready to put my fate in your hands. What’s the plan?”
His eyes gleamed with a mixture of delight and mischief. “First of all, he can’t stay here. I’m going to suggest that he stay in my cabin with me.”
“But why? There’s a sentimental value to him staying in Lucky’s old room.”
“Then both of you are stuck in a dormitory situation with zero chance you’ll get horizontal without embarrassing yourselves and everybody else.”
“But why your cabin? If he doesn’t stay here, the next logical place is Lucky and Oksana’s guest room.”
“They’re newlyweds. You notice Lucky didn’t jump in to nix Mom’s plan of him staying in our old room. He’s thrilled to know Kieran exists, but he’s also madly in love with his wife. He doesn’t need to have his half-brother staying right across the hall.”
“But you do? That makes no logical sense.”
“It does if I want a chance to get to know him, one-on-one, without Lucky there.”
“You do?”
“Think about it. For thirty years it’s been Lucky and me, raised like twins, yin and yang. Now here comes this charming Irishman, who has an actual blood bond with Lucky. I’m suddenly….” He cast his gaze downward. “A fifth wheel.”
“Oh, Rance. I’m so sor?—”
“Not really.” He looked up with an impish smile. “That’s just how I’ll sell it.”
“You made that up?”
“Mostly. I could think of it that way if I wanted to, but I choose not to.”
“Are you sure? Because I can see how this might be tough on you.”
“Lucky and I were tested back in February. We’re solid and this is awesome for him. Did I feel a twinge when I heard the news? Yeah, but I plucked out that barb and reminded myself that I’m Desiree McLintock’s kid. I have her DNA and she’s alive and effing amazing. I got the better end of the deal.”
She took a deep breath. “That’s a terrific attitude. And you’ve also generously dreamed up this elaborate scheme so Kieran and I can?—”
“I’m not that selfless. But we’ll get to that. There’ll be smuggling involved and you’ll have to get Lani to go along with it.”
“That could be a problem. She’s softening, but she still might not be willing to help.”
“We need her, though. See what you can do. Once she’s in, you and I will do a late-night switch so I sleep here and you sleep, or more likely don’t sleep, at the cabin. We’ll reverse it early in the morning.”
“You’ll take my bed in the room with Lani?”
“No. I wish, but no. I’ll sleep in my old room.”
“You wish? You have a crush on?—”
“Yes, and if you tell her, I’ll?—”
“I won’t, but listen, she’ll never leave New Jersey.”
