Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
W hen Desiree flipped a switch, old-fashioned lanterns with red shades lit up a space that looked more like a film set than a family game room. An antique wooden bar only slightly smaller than the one at the Buffalo stretched across the wall to Kieran’s left. On his right, stairs led to a narrow balcony across a wall painted to look as if a second story contained hotel rooms.
Round wooden tables and chairs scattered around the room were the type where gamblers in fancy vests might hang out, luring in local cowboys to bet their week’s pay. The room was big enough to accommodate a full-sized pool table with a shamrock green felt surface.
He'd played on smaller tables in his favorite pub back home. He wouldn’t hold his own against Lucky or any of the McLintocks if this was the setup where they honed their skills.
The dartboard, though, held promise. He’d spent many nights, probably too many, at that game. His mates were good, but he was better. Competing with a fella at darts was a good way to assess his character. Might come in handy this afternoon.
Desiree swept a hand around the room. “Think this’ll work?”
“It’s a grand place you have here. Never seen anything like it except Miss Kitty’s saloon in Gunsmoke .”
Desiree’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s a great compliment.”
He glanced at Sara. “I don’t suppose you watched that.”
She shook her head. “But the more time I spend here, the more I want to catch up on those old shows. This ranch is great. To think I was scared to come for a visit.”
That surprised him. “You? Scared?”
“I’m a city girl. Growing up I lived in a neighborhood where the houses were close together and the wildlife consisted of birds and the occasional squirrel.”
“To be honest, that’s mostly what I see in our wee village, too. But for some reason I’m not scared of the wildlife here.”
“You probably don’t have sadistic friends like mine. They’ve kept me supplied with a stream of news reports about someone mauled by a grizzly, trampled by a moose, bitten by a rattler, eaten by a mountain lion.” She ticked off the options on her fingers.
“The same person?”
She grinned. “Different people. For one person that would add up to a really bad day.”
“Wow.” Desiree’s eyes twinkled. “What a terrifying list. I’m surprised you got on that plane back in February.”
“By that time I’d figured out my friends were afraid I’d fall in love with the place and move here like my two brothers did. I have fallen in love with it but they didn’t have to worry. I’m not planning to leave them or my awesome job.”
He didn’t want her to leave her job, either. It was his only hope for seeing her again, assuming she made it to Dublin as she’d predicted. Or London. He’d meet her there if it came to that. Even Paris wasn’t out of the question.
Bottom line, he would see her again. Somehow. The idea that she’d disappear from his life was unacceptable.
“Neither of you brought your drinks when we came out here. Do you want me to go get them?”
He shook his head. “I thought it would settle my nerves, but I don’t want to be sitting here enjoying a beer when they come in.”
“Why not?”
“It seems… disrespectful. Lucky closed up shop early so he could make this meeting happen sooner. He and his wife… what did you say her name was?”
“Oksana.”
“Lucky and Oksana likely had things to do, but they dropped everything for me. Rance will be missing work, too. What does he do there?”
“Mostly bartending. Sometimes serving if he’s needed.”
“Which means they’ll be a man down behind the bar because of me. Greeting them with a beer in my hand isn’t right. Granny wouldn’t approve, I can tell you that.”
“Well, if you all decide to have something after they arrive, the fridge behind the bar is stocked.”
“Thanks. That’s a better plan.”
“Speaking of your granny, have you found a moment to contact her? I’ll bet she’ll be blown away.”
“That she will, but it’s the middle of the night. I’d give her a heart attack.”
“Oh, right . It’s good you remembered that. When Andy and I were in Kenya I got a call in the middle of the night. Totally freaked me out.”
“Kenya?”
“For our honeymoon. I’ll show you pictures later. Anyway, an editorial assistant who didn’t know I was out of the country called about a minor….” Her breath caught as Sam trotted to the wide double door on the far side of the room. “They’re here.”
He gulped. “You’re staying, yeah?”
“No. I might try to direct things.” She hugged him and then Sara. “You’ll be fine.” Turning, she left quickly, pushing through the swinging louvered doors into the hallway.
His gut churning, he turned to Sara. “This is it.”
“It’ll be awesome.”
“Thanks for being here.” Leaning down, he gave her a quick kiss. “For luck.” The response that flared in her eyes was a welcome distraction from the heavy thud of his heart. He promised himself they’d enjoy a longer kiss the first chance they had.
Truck doors opened and closed. A woman’s calm voice mingled with the deeper, more agitated tones of two fellas. Then one of them sang the first few words of Danny Boy. Not bad, either. The other shushed him.
Kieran pegged Rance as the singer and Lucky as the one who’d cut him off. Taking a breath was torture when his lungs felt like they were made of steel, but he forced himself to do it so he wouldn’t be light-headed when they came in.
And why in God’s name was he just standing still like a buck eejit? Striding toward the door, he grabbed the handle of the right-hand door and yanked it open.
The three people on the other side jumped back with a yell of surprise.
Lucky. Recognition was instantaneous, a knowing that sank into his chest and seeped through his pores. My brother. The clues were there — the hair, the chin, the body build, a long-ago memory of those green eyes.
But he didn’t need any of it. Had he felt this connection all along? Had some primitive link driven him to live like a pauper until he’d saved enough to cross the ocean?
Lucky stared at him with the same fascination, the same wonder that kept Kieran glued to the spot, afraid to move in case he was dreaming.
Then the other fella—Rance—doubled over laughing.
Kieran snapped out of his daze. “Sorry!” Heat rose to his face. “I just decided?—”
“To scare the crap out of us?” Rance choked out, taking off his hat and wiping his eyes on his sleeve. “Mission accomplished.”
“Don’t mind Rance.” Lucky’s intense gaze remained locked with his. “He’s easily amused.” Then he held out his hand and his voice roughened. “It’s like… it’s like I know you.”
When his fingers closed around Lucky’s hand, his throat closed and pressure built behind his eyes. He blinked away tears and managed a response. “Same here.”
Lucky’s grip tightened and he swallowed. “I guess because…” He cleared his throat. “You look like… me.”