Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(74)

Kiera mustered the smile he obviously expected. “It was a wonderful trip, no question about it. Thank you for making it happen. I’ll treasure the memories for years to come, especially the chance to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, to say nothing of watching my Moira being the center of attention.”

“You deserved it. You’ve been a huge help at the pub and with Kate. I know how much it meant to Moira to have you here for her grand success.”

“And you and Kate, too. I know she didn’t want to see you leave.”

“She understands she has obligations to her career,” Luke said. “So do I. And she’ll be home in another week. I know how much she hates being away, but I’ve come to look forward to her homecomings.”

Kiera smiled at the unmistakable twinkle in his eyes. “I’m sure you have. Perhaps Kate could have a sleepover at my house when Moira arrives next week.”

He laughed. “Now, that would be a true blessing.”

“Consider it done.”

“In that case, I’ll have to see that Megan schedules another show for Moira soon and we’ll take another family trip.”

“There won’t be time for many more,” Kiera said softly. “The fall festival will be taking a lot of time between now and October, and when it’s over—”

Luke cut her off. “We’ll deal with what’s next when the time comes, Kiera. You know you have options. Going back to Ireland isn’t the only choice.”

She wanted to believe there were real options open to her, but she’d learned not to count on things turning out the way she wanted them to. The simple fact that a tiny part of her was already yearning to stay in Chesapeake Shores was tantamount to tempting fate, which hadn’t always been so kind to her.

Worry clouded Luke’s expression. “Are you okay?”

“Just overthinking things as I usually do,” she said.

He glanced at the phone she was still holding tightly. “Was it bad news that had you looking so troubled when I came back just now? Is that what you’re overthinking?”

“To the contrary, I’m not exactly sure what sort of news it was,” she confessed.

Luke looked predictably bewildered. “Am I supposed to understand that? It sounds like the sort of thing Moira would expect me to grasp, but also the sort that leaves me clueless.”

Kiera chuckled. “I’m not sure how you could possibly understand, when I’m not entirely sure myself what I mean.”

“A riddle, then?”

She laughed. “Something like that.”

Understanding dawned. “Is Bryan somehow involved?”

“He’s at the heart of it, yes,” she said, then gave Luke a stern look. “But you are not to be nagging at him about it, is that understood?”

“You’re awfully protective of him,” Luke observed. “That’s a change from a few weeks back.”

“I’m protective of our privacy,” she corrected.

“But he’s done nothing to upset you, nothing I need to address?”

“Nothing,” she assured him.

Her son-in-law studied her, then nodded. “Okay, then. Just know I’m on your side.”

“There are no sides to be taken,” she said firmly. And if there were, she thought, perhaps Bryan could use the support every bit as much as she might need it.

*

Though it had been clear in Bryan’s text that he was anxious to see her, Kiera overslept in the morning, then had to rush to get to a festival committee meeting at Nell’s. Bryan was outside waiting for her, pacing in the yard.

“I knocked on your door,” he said. “I was worried when you didn’t answer.”

“Jet lag,” she said simply. “I slept like the dead and woke up with barely minutes to spare before coming here.”

“We need to talk.”

“We need to get inside before Nell comes looking for us,” she corrected.

“Then we’ll talk on the ride over to the pub after the meeting,” Bryan said.

“Is it something that can be discussed in a ten-minute drive?”

He sighed. “I suppose not.” He gave her a perplexed look. “I thought you’d be eager to know about what Connor’s found.”

Despite her impatience to get inside, Kiera paused long enough to caress his cheek. “I want to hear every word,” she assured him. “But when I’ve had a moment to catch my breath so it can sink in.”

Looking relieved, he nodded. “Later, then.”

“Definitely later.”

But, as it turned out, fate once again had other ideas.

*

The tall, willowy brunette stood hesitantly in the doorway of O’Brien’s. It could have been that her eyes were adjusting to the dim light, but Kiera thought otherwise. It looked more like she hadn’t quite made up her mind whether to come inside or to flee. Something in that hesitation made Kiera’s pulse skip erratically. Surely this couldn’t be... She cut off the ridiculous thought before it could fully form. There was absolutely no reason for her mind to go there, except that Bryan’s past had been too much on her mind today.

“May I help you?” she asked, approaching cautiously. “Were you meeting someone here?” Recognition dawned on her. “You were here on the Fourth of July. I told you that you looked familiar, but you said it wasn’t possible. It’s nice to see you again. We’re always happy to see returning customers.”