Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy #1)(100)

“Isn’t that the cutest thing?” With a laugh, Iona stepped closer. “How did you guys fit in there?”

“It wasn’t a simple matter,” Connor told her. “Nor was driving it, as Boyle’s knees sat at his ears the whole way. But she cleaned up well, and runs fine enough. Seems a better fit for you.”

“Get in and see,” Meara suggested.

Obliging, Iona slid in, put her hands on the wheel. “Much more my size. Is this from the friend you told me about?” she asked Connor. “It’s great. It’s really adorable, but I don’t think I can afford adorable at this point.”

“But you like it,” he prompted. “The look of it, the color and feel and so on.”

“What’s not to like?” In fact, she could already picture herself driving around like a little red rocket. “It’s just perfect. Do you think he’d consider holding it, letting me pay some now, some later?”

“Well, he might, but it’s already sold.” Connor glanced at Branna, got her nod. “Happy birthday.”

“What?”

“It’s Connor and Boyle who found the car, and we all put in a share to buy it. For your birthday,” Branna added. “Do you think we didn’t know it’s your birthday?”

“I didn’t— I thought with everything that’s going on it was better to— But you can’t just . . . A car? You can’t.”

“Already have,” Connor pointed out. “And whatever else there is, a birthday’s a thing to remember. We’re your circle, Iona. We wouldn’t be forgetting yours.”

“But it’s a car.”

“One that’s over ten years old, and truth be told, wheezes like an asthmatic on damp mornings. Which is nearly daily,” Fin commented. “But she’ll do for you.”

She began to laugh, and to weep. On a combination of both, she scooted out to throw her arms around Connor as he stood closest. Then she spun to each one in turn.

When her body pressed to Boyle’s, her arms squeezed hard around him, he struggled not to make it more. To just let it be.

“I don’t know what to say. Don’t know how to say it. It’s amazing! Beyond amazing. Thank you so much. All of you.”

“There’ll be a bit of paperwork to see to,” Fin put in, “but you can see to it later. Now you should try it out, shouldn’t you?”

“I should drive it. I should drive it.” On another laugh, Iona spun in a circle. “Someone has to go with me on my first voyage. Who wants to go?”

Every man stepped back as one.

“Cowards,” Meara said in disgust. “What do you say, Branna? We could squeeze in.”

“I expect we could, but I’ve dinner on.”

Meara only let out a snort. “Well, I’m not afraid. I’m with you, Iona.”

She jumped in, waited while Iona slid behind the wheel.

Iona started the car, bounced on the seat, wiggled into it. She lurched forward three times. Fit, start, fit, start, fit, start, then zipped down the road weaving like the cloth loop on a potholder loom.

“Ah God,” was all Boyle managed.

“I told you I put a little charm for safety on it,” Connor reminded him. “She just needs a bit of practice as she’s a Yank after all. So Fin here’s contributed bottles of champagne to the birthday feast, and being Fin, it’s fancy and French. I say we have the first bottle waiting for her.”

“We’ve important business to discuss as well,” Branna reminded him. “And should be doing that with clear heads rather that French bubbles.”

“It’s her birthday.”

“Ah well.” On a sigh, Branna relented. “One bottle among us shouldn’t hurt anything.”


*


“I SHOULD’VE BEEN AFRAID,” MEARA MUTTERED TO CONNOR on the return as Fin popped the first cork. “She’s a right terrible driver.”

“Only needs practice.”

“Please the gods and be right on that as I thought she’d do us both in the first kilometer. Still, it’s worth it. She never expected such a thing. Not just the gift, but the whole of it. And I think for all my family is fucked, I’ve never given a thought but there’d be a bit of a fuss for my birthday.”

“We’ve cake as well.”

“I never doubted it.” In the mood, Meara gave him a quick and affectionate one-armed hug.

He linked his arm around her before she could pull away, did a quick step. Laughing, she mimicked the footwork, then reached for the glass Fin held out. “I’ll take that for certain.”

“I’m going to make a toast,” Iona decided. “Because I’ve thought of what I want to say. In addition to thank you, which just doesn’t cover it. All of you, you’re mine, and that’s a gift I’ll always treasure. Every one of you is a gift to me, a blend of friends and family that’s stronger and truer and brighter than anything I ever imagined having. So, to all of us, together.”

She sipped. “Oh God, that’s really good!”

“A fine toast, and fine champagne.” Branna opened a cupboard, took a wrapped gift off a shelf. “And from your grandmother. I put it aside for her as she asked me.”