Page 44 of Pints & Potions

He felt bereft.

Once again, Hoyt smiled at him, this time with an air of knowing, followed by a hint of compassion.

“It must be morning on your side of the pond,” Bridget said, adding a tight conciliatory smile. “How about I warm up a plate of food and fill your belly to full? I’ll provide a pot of coffee to wash it down.”

“I reckon I’d like that, ma’am. Thank you.”

If Hoyt had had a hat, he would’ve tipped it. Cian had traveled to America enough to differentiate between regions, and Hoyt Thorne’s speech and mannerisms screamed Southern gentleman. Other than knowing the guy was Piper’s father and she was somehow a cousin to Alastair, Cian wasn’t certain how they were all related. One day soon he’d have Ryker clear it up or provide a cheat sheet since that family tree seemed to have bore a lot of fruit.

After Bridget left, only Cian and Piper remained with Hoyt. Cian was at a loss for words, which had never happened to him since the day he’d started speaking. Uncomfortable under the assessing stare from those eerie jade eyes, he decided Piper was safe enough with her father for the moment.

“I need to see to the pub.”

He didn’t miss her disbelieving look or Hoyt’s wicked glee.

Leaning in, Cian placed his mouth next to the shell of Piper’s ear. “The bravest soldier knows when to retreat, darlin’.”

She snorted but didn’t argue, and he was charmed by her all over again. After depositing an affectionate kiss on her cheek, Cian departed as fast as his legs could carry him.

Piper barely smotheredher laugh at Cian’s ridiculous comment as she watched his “retreat.”

“I like him.”

With a long-suffering sigh, she faced her father. “Me, too.”

“I suspect your feelings are a lot stronger than mine,” Hoyt said with a chuckle.

“Not that I’m ready to admit.”

“Has Alastair checked him out yet?”

“The morning Cian played tour guide and then proceeded to throw a man off a cliff.”

Her dad’s brows shot up, and he cast another look at the empty doorway. “Huh. What was my wily cousin’s opinion?”

“Same as yours, I imagine, or I’d have to fight tooth and nail to stay here,” she said dryly.

“Not true. We decided long ago to give the next generation free rein.” He drew her in for a hug. “But you can’t expect us not to worry about you, Pip. And we might put the fear of the gods into the man you’ve chosen, if only to remind him who and what he’s dealing with should he treat you poorly.”

She smiled as she wrapped her arms around her father and squeezed. “I love you, Dad.” Leaning back to give him a mock glare, she said, “But stay out of my relationships. I’ll make my own mistakes, thank you very much.”

“And is Cian O’Malley a mistake?”

“Not if he’s able to love me.” She shrugged. “Maybe even if he’s not able. He’s charming and makes me laugh. Probably what I need after the last fiasco.”

“Unwise to dabble in an affair. You’re halfway in love with him, Pip. I can see it in the way you look at him.”

“That’s my secret to hold and my decision to make, okay?”

“He knows you care,” Hoyt said gently, giving her a final squeeze then releasing her.

Her heart contracted. “You’ve always said I’m an open book. I guess you’re right.”

He laughed. “I usually am.”

“Pfft. Keep telling yourself that, old man.”

“I imagine our hostess has finished preparing a meal for me. How about we go into the kitchen and you can fill me in on what’s happened so far?”

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