And not just Desiree, but all the fascinating people in her orbit, like this Irish granny, for instance. He was as eager as the rest of them for this meeting between her and the Dazzling Damsels.
Kieran cleared a path through the crowd and glanced at Luis with a grin. He had to be relishing the moment, too.
Granny wasn’t the only one who’d benefited from the Irish climate. Luis had never paid attention, but Auntie Kat’s comments made him look closer. Damned if Kieran didn’t look younger than him, and the guy was several years older.
Even his sad life didn’t show on his face. He’d grown up an orphan with no kin except his granny until he’d found his half-brother Lucky McLintock a year ago.
Granny started talking the second she was within range. “Saints be praised! I get ta meet the Dazzlin’ Damsels and the rest of the Bridger boyos!” The red, white and blue flowers on her hat bobbed as she hurried forward in her red, white and blue flowered dress.
Kieran made a megaphone of his hands. “Raquel! Mila! I’ve got my granny over here!”
“We’ll be right there!” Mila shouted back.
Granny was puffing and pink-cheeked by the time she arrived. “Lookin’… lookin’ grand, ya all are! And this?” She spread her arms to include the entire boisterous crowd. “’Tis good craic!”
Auntie Kat laughed. “I couldn’t have said it better. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Granny. Can I call you Granny?”
“’Course you can. I was plannin’ ta call you Auntie Kat, ’cause that’s how I learned it when I was studyin’ up on the Bridger Bunch.”
Auntie Carmen moved in. “You can call me?—”
“’Tis Auntie Carmen, ya are. And she’s Auntie Ezzie and she’s Grandma Doris. I’d know ya anywhere.” She switched directions. “And as for this lot….” She counted them off. “’Tis Luis, Rio, Zay, and Monty, right? Or did I get it arseways?”
Rio chuckled. “You nailed it, Granny. Good job.”
“Thank ya kindly, lad.” She beamed at them before turning to Jordan. “Studied pictures on my boyo’s mobile, I did, ta help me sort out who was who. Guess he missed ya, luv.”
“He wouldn’t have had pictures of me. I got here Thursday night. I’m Jordan. I’m only visiting.”
“Aha! Visitin’ Luis, are ya?”
“Um, yes. Visiting Luis.” She gave him a quick glance. “We go way back.”
“Ah, reunited, ya are. That’s grand.”
Luis opened his mouth to correct Granny’s assumption they were reunited. Closed it again. The word fit. For now.
“’Tis grand ta meet ya, Jordan.” Granny’s smile encompassed all of them. “Been hearin’ about the Bridger Bunch since March. Yer legends, the whole lot of ya.”
“We’re legends.” Auntie Ezzie clearly adored that label. “I really like this lady. She’s muy bueno. Whatcha say, Luis. Can we keep her?”
“I think Kieran might not?—”
“We’re keeping him, Granny and Sara for tonight, at least.” His mom joined the group. “Welcome, Granny. I’m?—”
“Raquel. I know, luv. And here come yer girls, Mila, Claudette and Greta. Stunning, they are.”
“I totally agree.”
“Hey, Mom,” Rio called out. “Did you just say they’re spending the night?”
“That’s the plan. I didn’t have a chance to tell you all, but I contacted Kieran yesterday and suggested he, Sara and Granny stay at the ranch tonight and drive back tomorrow. That gives Granny’s stomach a chance to settle before she’s back on that road again.”
“Did better’n I expected. Didn’t boke at all. Stuck my head out the winda mosta the way, though. Made a bags of m’hairdo. Good thing I have a hat. Stayin’ the night instead of drivin’ back today is a blessin’.”
Auntie Ezzie edged in her direction. “You should stay with us in the Dorm. We have an extra bed and you’d love it there, mi amiga. It’ll be good craic, I promise. I’d invite Sara, except I can’t remember who she is.”
“Kieran’s wife, Ezzie.” Auntie Carmen gave her sister a look. “He showed us her picture. She’s a beautiful redhead.”
