Once we embrace, she releases a gasp and steps back. With a mix of a sad but excited smile now on her face, she cups the side of mine. I look back at her, confused.
“The girls will soften him. They are meant to be first. He will need them.
“You will name him Patrick, and he will be something amazing and fierce. Younger than my Sammy, but very wise and respected as if he’s much older. Sammy will know him as a friend and a brother. They will even out each other’s tempers as Sam and Logan do for each other,” she says then moves her hand to my belly.
I look to Val then back at this woman. I’m not sure where any of that comes from, but I get the feeling I shouldn’t ignore her words. I’m reminded of the gypsy who guided me to New York through my great-gran.
If not for her, I wouldn’t have the friends and family I have now. I’m not sure what her words mean, but she’s sure of them. She lifts a hand to her lips and rushes off.
I look to Val and lift a brow. “Ohhh…kaay,” I drag out.
I look around to find Cole. He’s with his cousins, laughing and having a good time. I shake the eerie feeling off and run my hands down my sides.
“You’ll get used to it,” Val says. “Come, let’s have a drink with Paige and the girls.”
I smile and nod. Val has endeared herself to me even more in the last few months. After my talk with Logan in Dublin, I shared with her how my mother left me, and she offered to track her down. She hasn’t found her yet, but I love her for trying.
CHAPTER 41
Closing a Chapter
Deja
Seven months later …
The deathof Ellen Mairettie has impacted so many people. I just met her and then she was gone. I feel horrible for Sam and his children.
Logan has been spending a lot of time with him to help him through. However, tonight, all the O’Briens have come to my bar to be together as a family. I think everything that has happened has caused them to need to connect.
I didn’t mind closing down for the night for them. Seeing them all together has brought back so many memories. I’ll admit, I’m a little in my feelings to know Ciara doesn’t remember me. It feels like so much of our lives have been stolen from us all because of one evil man.
“Can I help with anything?” Ciara asks nervously.
I look up from the glasses I’m gathering to pour a round for everyone. Kate was helping, but she had to go to the bathroom. Connie has Shauna in her lap as she sits with Dylan, Jamie, and Ciarán.
“I’ve got it, but if ya want to hang around and talk while I fill, yer welcome to,” I say with a smile.
She gives me a relieved smile. I get the feeling she wants to bond, but she’s not sure if I want the same. She’s my little cousin. She might not remember me, but I remember her and blood or not, I’m here for her.
As we fall into a light banter, I pour drinks. I’m also keeping an eye on Cole. He and Logan still have a ton of tension between them.
I hate to see him hurt like this. He did what he thought was right. I get that his moves created a ripple effect, and we probably shouldn’t be together, but Cole has changed my life so much.
My time with Uri and Val gave me something. I have friends and I’ve learned to trust again. None of that would have happened if Cole hadn’t come for me. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
“I’ll take those to the table,” Ciara says once I have one of the trays full.
“Thanks.”
Logan comes over and takes a seat at the bar. I look him in the eyes and purse my lips. He’s forgiven the rest of the family, but he’s still giving Cole a hard time. I don’t think that’s fair.
“You need to forgive him or tell him the truth,” I bite out in a whisper.
“To tell him the truth, I have to forgive him. I still haven’t gotten there,” he grumbles.
“He’s your brother. He loves ya, and clearly, he loves yer daughter. I understand telling him everything is going to hurthim and make him a madman at the same time, but if ya keep this up, yer only driving a wedge between ye. Tell him the truth, Logan.”
“The truth? No one around here knows the truth, only the parts of it they can handle. If ya give a child a toy they can’t hold up, they collapse under the weight of it. I’m protecting him more than ya know.”
