Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(44)

“We’re making an effort to get along,” Kiera told him. “We’ve found a few things we can agree on.”

“And you’re neighbors, too,” Mick noted. “How’s that working out? Kiera, are you finding the little guest cottage comfortable? We did the renovations there quickly at Moira’s request, but if we missed anything, be sure to let me know. I’ll have someone take care of it.”

Bryan caught an odd expression flitting across Kiera’s face and had a hunch it had something to do with Mick’s casual mention of Moira’s role in the renovations. He was a little taken aback by that, as well. Had there been some plan afoot to push the two of them closer together? If there had been, though, it was a worry for another time. Right this minute, they had Mick and his easily stirred romantic fantasies to deal with.

Bryan looked around, hoping to spot another O’Brien or just about anyone else who might provide a distraction for Mick. For a town crawling with O’Briens, though, for once there wasn’t another one in sight.

“Kiera, are you enjoying Chesapeake Shores?” Mick asked as if he hadn’t had a chance to ask her before, when in truth they talked almost daily at the pub.

“It’s lovely,” she said, her expression brightening at the innocuous topic. “You must be so proud when you look around and realize that you created such a warm and welcoming place.”

Though Mick looked pleased by her comment, he said, “I designed and built the buildings, but it’s those who live here who’ve made it a community.”

“But I’ve a feeling you and your family set the example,” she said.

“And not just here,” Bryan added, seizing on the topic himself. Work was still Mick’s real passion. It should prove a good distraction. “How many other communities has your company built around the country, each with its own distinct way of blending into the landscape around it? I had a chance to chat with Jaime Alvarez when he was here recovering from his broken leg. He showed me pictures of the project he was working on for you in the Pacific Northwest.” He turned to Kiera. “It’s nothing like Chesapeake Shores, which suits this part of the world. That community fits perfectly with the environment out there.”

“That’s always our goal,” Mick said. “We want each community to be unique. And if you tell my brother Thomas I said this, I’ll deny it, but it’s because of him that we take such care with the natural beauty of each location and do as little damage as possible.”

“But don’t you have to be on the road a lot to oversee such work?” Kiera asked, clearly fascinated. “It must take time to get the feel of a place just right so you know how to design for it.”

Mick’s expression turned rueful. “In the beginning, when I was building the business, it took too much time, if you ask Megan about it. The only way I won her back after our divorce was to promise to let my chief executive, Jaime, and Luke’s brother, Matthew, take over most of the projects. I only travel now when there’s a problem to be resolved or a need to deal with the local authorities.”

Kiera frowned at that. “I wonder, given that experience, why Megan is less understanding of Moira’s desire to stay here with her family, rather than traveling so much.”

Mick chuckled. “My wife is a complicated woman,” he said wryly. “And she’s ambitious, not so much for herself, as for your daughter. She hates to see talent go unrecognized. Moira is wise for standing up to her. Perhaps you should remind Megan how she felt about my being on the road all the time.”

“I don’t suppose you could draw the parallel?” Kiera asked. “I’m finding that I enjoy her friendship a little too much to be expressing an opinion that goes against what she wants.”

“Probably a wise approach,” Mick agreed. “But it’s not a past I like to remind her of, either. I’ll be keeping my opinions to myself, as well.” He pushed aside his empty cup and stood up. “I need to run, but before I go, I’ll catch up with the waitress and pay our check. Good to see you both. Enjoy your morning. I imagine we’ll cross paths again at the pub later.”

When he’d gone, Kiera glanced Bryan’s way. “That was interesting.”

“That’s one word for it,” Bryan said. He met her gaze. “How well do you know Mick?”

“Hardly at all.”

“And his reputation for meddling?”

Kiera looked taken aback. “Is that what turned you into a bundle of nerves at his arrival?”

“By the end of the day, half the O’Briens will be speculating about us,” Bryan confirmed. “The other half will be actively trying to find excuses to stop by the pub to see for themselves if sparks are flying. I predict we’re going to have quite the assortment of O’Briens dropping in tonight.”

Now she looked alarmed. “Surely a man as important as Mick O’Brien has better things to do than spread tales about us, especially when we were doing no more than having coffee together.”

“You heard him, Kiera. He’s semiretired, which means he’s bored. Meddling is what he does to fill his days. With his family mostly settled, we present a golden opportunity. I’ve witnessed his interference in quite a few relationships since I’ve been in town. They’ve turned out well, but little thanks to Mick inserting himself into the middle of them. He thinks he has Nell’s knack for it, but believe me, he lacks her subtlety.”