He glanced at the time on his mobile. “I need to get moving. I promised Desiree I’d be there early to get ready for the call.”
“While you shower, I’ll throw something together for breakfast.”
“Thanks. Do you need a ride to work? After the call I can?—”
“Clint’s picking me up. Don’t worry about me. Text Sara and then jump in the shower.”
He sent Sara a thumbs up, then shaved and showered quick as he could. Over a simple breakfast of cereal and toast, heand Rance studied the digitally altered picture of Freya Noreen Haggerty’s grave.
“Molly did a damned good job,” Rance said. “Tell me the story the way you’ll tell it to Granny, in case I ever talk to her.”
“I’m sure you will. And I’ve told her the truth, that when the father didn’t show up, Desiree stepped in. I’m leaving out that she didn’t give her real name. I think knowing that would bring Granny unnecessary pain, like she was living like a criminal.”
“I agree. Well done.”
“I sent her some other pictures last night before I went to bed. You need to see how she texts.” He explained her method and turned his mobile over to Rance.
By the time he got to the sixth one, tears of laughter were streaming down his face and catching on his beard stubble. “There’sgottabe a way to get her over here.”
Kieran sighed. “You heard what Lucky said. If I told her this is where I want to spend the rest of my life, but I’ll stay in Ireland for her, she’d start packing. But I’d never do such a thing.”
“Of course not. But what if she’d love it here?”
“What if the stress of getting on a plane for the first time in her life gave her a heart attack?”
“You’d never been on a plane, either. Were you stressed about it?”
“I thought it was pure craic, but I’m fifty years younger. And I have my mother’s fire. Granny doesn’t have it.”
“I dunno. She sent you a volcano, fireworks and a shooting star. That looks damned fiery to me. And the crossed swords isn’t exactly a symbol of tranquility.”
“Like I said, her finger slips.”
“So you say. It could also be the real Granny making a stealth appearance.”
“Wishful thinking, mate.” He polished off his coffee and grabbed his mobile. “Let me know about Thunder.”
“I will, and just so you know, I’ll do the double drive tonight. I’m not taking a chance on Sara getting stuck.”
“Appreciate it.” He hadn’t remembered that she’d decided to make the trip on her own, but with Thunder having computer issues, he was glad Rance would be in charge.
Desiree, dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt, was waiting for him in Rowdy Roost. Hopping down from a bar stool, she gave him a hug. “Lucky’s running a little late.”
“Let me text Granny and tell her.” He got out his mobile and typed a short message. “Done.” He laid it on the bar to keep it handy for the call. “This gives me a chance to ask you about something.”
She smiled. “Go for it.” As he launched into his plan, her smile grew. When he finished she gave him another hug. “I love it. Angie will, too. She’s talked about how much she’d like to have you as part of her crew.”
“She has?”
“She’s expanding the business and you’d be a valuable addition. She’ll be glad to have you whenever you can manage it.”
“That’s grand news. I’ll mention it to her first chance I get, then.”
“Do that.” She studied him, her expression calm. “I have something to say, too. I know what Rance has been up to.”
His breath whooshed out and his face heated. He wasn’t surprised that she’d found out, just scundered. “He’s only trying to help. If you’re upset, blame me. I could’ve told him no, but?—”
“I’m not upset. You and Sara are consenting adults caught in an awkward set of circumstances. It’s your business how you handle the situation. Which is what I told her this morning.”
