“Lillias,” he said slowly. “That’s a parrot.”
A thrill suddenly traced her spine.
Because even from this distance, something about the man’s posture... his height... his way ofbeing...seemed deeply familiar.
And then she realized: the man reminded her of her husband.
Hugh’s face illuminated to a painful brilliance.
Her heart lurched with hope.
And then he reached for her hand. He gripped it tightly. They didn’t run. But the closer they got, the longer and swifter their strides became. They slowed as they climbed the porch, as if they were suddenly entering a dream.
His blue eyes were vivid in a face brown and creased from wind and elements, gorgeous with wear and experience, rugged as the mountains. A tiny gold loop glinted in his ear. A handsome parrot tipped its head and regarded them peacefully from his right shoulder.
“Hugh, my boy, you won’t believe what I’m about to tell you,” said Liam Cassidy.
His eyes were wet.
Hugh hurled himself into his uncle’s arms, and they were a blur. Lillias brushed the back of her hand across her eyes.
“This is my wife, Lillias.” Hugh’s voice was gravelly. He stepped back to let Liam and Lillias have a look at each other.
“Enchanté,” said the parrot, with great sincerity.
“Thank you,” Lillias replied politely.
Uncle Liam’s eyebrows went up and so did the corner of his mouth in a wicked grin. “Hugh, my boy, I think your story might be even better than mine.”
And then they all went inside.
