“So it’s about you,” Branna said with a laugh.
“I’m saving her life, and that makes me a fine sister.”
“I’ll have it for you next week.”
“I always wanted a sister,” Iona mused.
“Would you like one of mine? Either of them’s up for the grabbing. I’ll keep my brothers, as they’re not gits most of the time.”
“Being an only child is lonely and you never get to bitch about your siblings.”
“I would miss the bitching,” Meara admitted. “It makes me feel so superior and smart.”
“I had imaginary siblings.”
Amused, Meara sat back with her tea. “Did you now? What did you call them?”
“Katie, Alice, and Brian. Katie was the oldest, and patient, smart, comforting. Alice was the baby, and always made us laugh. Brian and I were the closest in age. He was always getting into trouble, and I was always trying to get him out of it. Sometimes I could see them, as clear as I see you.”
“The power of your wishes,” Branna told her. Lonely child, she thought. So not tended, so not understood or cherished.
“I guess. I didn’t understand that kind of thing, not really, but they were more real to me, a lot of the time, than anyone else. Between them and horses, I kept pretty busy.”
She stopped, laughed. “Am I the only one who had imaginary people in her life?”
“Connor was more than enough for me.”
“He’s more than enough, indeed,” Meara echoed.
“And we both knew, Connor and I, much younger than you, what we were about.”
“And even with that, you both forged other really strong things. Your work here, the shop, his falconry—and his handy hands. And you, Meara. You’re not one of the owners, but you’re an essential element in the business.”
“I like to think so.”
“It’s clear you are. Both Boyle and Fin respect your skills and your opinion, and depend on both. I don’t think either of them give that sort of thing lightly. It’s what I want. To forge something, and to earn respect, to have people who matter know they can depend on me. Do either of you want more than that?”
“It’s good to have what you say,” Meara considered. “I wouldn’t mind a pot of money to go with it.”
“What would you do with it?”
“Well now, that’s a thought. I think first a fine house. Doesn’t need the fancy, just a good house, with a bit of land and a little barn so I could have my own horse or two.”
“No man?”
“For what?” Meara laughed. “For the keeping or for the fun?”
“Either or both.”
“I’d take the fun, there’s been a lack of that sort of amusement in my life in recent months. Keeping though, that’s not what I’m after. Men come and go,” she added as she settled back with her fragrant tea. “Except for sweet and plodding Sean, as far as I’ve seen. Best not to expect or want them to stay, then it’s less fraught.”
“But fraught means you’re living,” Iona said. “And I want one to keep, one who wants me just as much. I want wild, crazy love, the sort that never goes away. And kids—not just one—a dog, a horse, a house. A big, sloppy family. What about you?” she asked Branna.
“What do I want? To live my life. To end this curse that hangs over all of us, and crush what remains of Cabhan.”
“That’s not just for you. Just you, Branna,” Iona insisted. “Money, travel, sex? Home, family?”
“Enough money to travel to exotic places and have reckless sex with exotic men.” She smiled as she poured more tea. “That should cover the lot.”
