Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(106)

“No, this seems more personal,” Mick agreed, though it was evident he hadn’t a clue about what she was up to or why.

Trying hard not to laugh, Bryan debated enlightening them. He knew exactly what had spurred this sudden campaign on his behalf. That deal he’d made with Kiera that would guarantee that she’d accept his proposal of marriage if he won the cooking contest.

Luke studied him with a narrowed gaze. “You don’t seem that surprised about any of this,” he told Bryan. “Do you know what they’re up to?”

“I have an idea,” he admitted.

“Then, please, tell us,” Mick said. “If there’s some conspiracy afoot, I need to know about it. Did you put them up to it?”

“Absolutely not,” Bryan said. “If I win, I want to do it fair and square.”

“Can you get them to back off, so people will know that whoever wins did it fairly?” Luke asked. “The last thing we need is rumors that there was cheating of some kind going on.”

“Much as I hate to admit it, I don’t know my own daughter well enough yet to have much influence over her. She seems to be under your mother’s spell, Mick. Perhaps you’re the one who should be taking a stand. Will Nell listen to you?”

Mick sighed heavily. “There’s little chance of that. If Ma has some mission she’s dedicated to, especially one that might put her at odds with her own husband, then she’s not going to listen to me.”

“Then I guess we’ll just have to sit back and see how this plays out,” Bryan said. “Luke, you might want to tell the folks in charge of parking, setting up chairs and the like to be prepared for record-breaking crowds this year. And if it was your brother-in-law Mack who made those tickets people will use to vote in the cooking contest, let him know he should probably double or triple the original order. Something tells me that we’re going to be selling a whole lot of Irish stew.”

*

Kiera hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but she’d overheard just enough of the intense conversation Bryan was having with Mick and Luke to understand that there was a conspiracy going on to ensure that Bryan won the cooking contest. And since Nell and Deanna were involved, she knew precisely why they were determined to affect the outcome.

Letting the door close quietly, she went right back through the kitchen and out into the alley, then headed to Sally’s. When she found none of the O’Brien women there, she moved on to Bree’s Flowers on Main shop next door.

She found Bree arranging a mix of orange, gold and bronze mums in a tall vase with branches of fall leaves. The effect was stunning.

“It’s for the front table at the inn,” Bree told her. “What do you think? Is it impressive enough?”

“It’s breathtaking,” Kiera said honestly. “I thought your real talent was writing, but you have quite a knack for this, as well.”

Bree beamed. “To Gram’s despair, I grew up yanking the wrong things out of her garden, but the one thing I did learn to her satisfaction was how to arrange flowers. It’s a nice counterpoint to staring at a blank computer screen when I’m having writer’s block.” She studied Kiera intently. “What brings you by? Something tells me you’re not here for a bouquet of flowers.”

“I overheard something at the pub just now. I think there’s a plan in place to ensure that Bryan wins the Irish stew contest.”

Dismay spread across Bree’s face. “Who’s involved?”

“Well, it was Bryan, Luke and Mick talking, but they were saying that Bryan’s daughter and Nell are behind it.”

Bree’s expression turned thoughtful. “I suppose that makes sense. Deanna was bound to support her father, and Bryan is using Nell’s recipe.”

“If that were all it was about, so be it,” Kiera said. “But there’s something you don’t know.” She explained the deal she’d made with Bryan. “I didn’t think he’d get a bunch of allies to try to steal the victory right out from under me. It should be about the best stew.” She regarded Bree intently. “Shouldn’t it? That’s why you all were spreading the word about mine, because you liked it, right?”

To her dismay, Bree laughed. “Ah, Kiera, surely you know that none of this was ever about the stew. It was a way to keep the sparks flying between you and Bryan. Now that the job has been done effectively and a marriage proposal’s on the table, do you honestly think there’s a single O’Brien who won’t do whatever it takes to seal the deal?”

“But how on earth can I marry a man who’d win by cheating?” Kiera asked.

“I doubt Bryan, Deanna, Nell or anyone else sees it that way. They’re only trying to ensure your happiness. It’s a little mixed up.”

“A little?” Kiera asked incredulously.

“Okay, a lot, but it’s the O’Briens we’re talking about. Love and family trump everything else.”

“Well, our deal is off if that’s the way he wins,” Kiera said stubbornly. “And that’s the last I intend to say about that.”

She marched out of the flower shop with her chin up and her temper ready to take on anyone who crossed her today, including Bryan and every one of the sneaky O’Briens, starting with Nell. What she’d do about Deanna, who was staying under her very own roof, was something she’d have to consider very carefully. The girl was, after all, just trying to support her father, and even Kiera was wise enough not to want to tamper with that bond.