Lilac Lane (Chesapeake Shores #14)(88)

“Correct,” Deanna said.

“Since I told her rather firmly to stay out of it, it seems she has a rebellious streak,” Bryan said.

“I’m an independent thinker,” Deanna corrected proudly.

Kiera laughed. “Well, now that’s a trait we might not want to discourage,” she said. “The world could use a few more independent thinkers. We just have to keep her away from Nell.”

Her father groaned. “Now you’ve done it.”

“Who’s Nell?” Deanna asked eagerly.

Kiera glanced at him. “Tactical blunder?”

“I’ll say,” he confirmed.

“Who’s Nell?” Deanna repeated.

“Nell O’Brien O’Malley,” Kiera finally told her. “She’s married to my father. They met years ago in Ireland, were separated and then found each other again a few years ago. It’s a very romantic story, actually.”

“And she’s one of the O’Briens?”

“The matriarch,” Bryan said. “She taught me everything I know about Irish cooking.” He glanced at Kiera and added diplomatically, “Almost everything. Kiera’s added a few tips since she’s come.”

“But she’s not given you her Irish stew recipe, has she?” Deanna teased.

“No, she’s kept that a deep, dark secret.”

“And that’s why the two of you are competing in the cooking contest,” Deanna concluded. “And why everyone’s talking about it.”

“That’s only part of the reason,” her father said.

“Then what’s the rest?”

“It’s because Nell is a devious, clever woman,” Kiera said.

Deanna glanced at her father for clarification.

“She’s matchmaking,” Bryan conceded. “And taking full advantage of the fact that Kiera and I haven’t always gotten along. She’s decided that’s the perfect recipe for sparks to fly and people in this town to take sides. And, of course, to raise money for a good cause.”

Deanna released a happy sigh. “She’s my ally,” she said, mostly to herself.

She saw her father and Kiera exchange a resigned look.

“I warned you,” Bryan said to Kiera. “It seems my daughter and Nell were cut from the same mold. Thankfully Dee will be going back to Charlottesville any day now and we’ll have one less person trying to run our lives.”

Deanna thought of her conversation with Ash and came to a quick decision. “There’s something you should probably know about that,” she told them. “I had a talk with Ash the other night and I’ve decided to try to transfer to Johns Hopkins for my premed courses. I’m not sure if the paperwork can be completed in time for this next term, but I’m pretty sure they’ll let me continue as an intern in the lab until next term while we’re working it out.” She beamed at them. “I’ll be able to see you both all the time. Isn’t that great?”

She laughed at her father’s bewildered, torn expression. She could tell he was eager to have her close but was also discovering how big a thorn in his side a newly found daughter could be.

The last thing she’d expected when she’d come to Chesapeake Shores to meet him was to find that she’d not only be getting to know her biological father, but that meddling in his life promised to be so much fun.

*

Kiera waited until Deanna had left for Baltimore and the midday rush at the pub had ended before telling Luke that she and Bryan needed a break.

“We’ll be quick, but there’s something that needs to be discussed, and it can’t wait until tonight.”

“Go,” Luke said at once. “I’ve got things covered here for the next hour. Just take your cell phone along in case I’m wrong and a tour bus appears on our doorstep.”

“When has that ever happened?” she asked.

“Exactly my point. It’s rare, so go.”

Kiera went into the kitchen, grabbed a couple of bottled waters from the refrigerator, then stood in front of Bryan. “We’re going for a walk,” she announced.

She saw him struggle with a smile, even as he said, “Who made you the boss?”

“Not the boss at all, but a woman who needs to talk to a man who’s been slamming pots and pans around for the past hour.”

“I haven’t been slamming anything around.”

“I could show you a couple with the dents to prove it. Shall I?” She turned to the current batch in the sink.

“Okay, a walk it is,” he said before seeing the evidence. “I’ll tell Luke.”

“Already done,” she said, pulling him toward the door into the alley.

Outside she handed him the bottled water and turned toward the walkway along the bay. A breeze off the water made the air salty, and once again there was the faintest hint of fall in the temperature. She was looking forward to the change of season, the last she’d experience before going back to Ireland.

When she looked up, she caught Bryan studying her. “What?” she asked.

“Perhaps it’s your mood we should be discussing,” he said. “You were looking a little sad just then.”

“I was thinking about how close we are to the end of my time here. I was looking forward to experiencing my first fall in Chesapeake Shores, but then I realized it would be the last season I get to experience.”