Page 56 of Pints & Potions

Piper’s heart stuttered, and the sudden urge to cry overwhelmed her. She gave his hand a light squeeze. “Thank you.”

“Yeah.”

Her lips twitched again but only after he turned his face up to the moon and closed his eyes.

A deep voice cut through the night. “Aeden?”

The boy jerked his hand away from hers as if burned, and folded in on himself, causing Piper’s mama-bear instinct to surge to the forefront. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and twisted to face Cian.

“What are you doing out here with my nephew?” He didn’t sound accusatory, merely curious. His look was somewhat awed.

“Nephew?” She’d assumed he was an O’Malley, but she hadn’t quite figured out who he belonged to. She hadn’t gotten far enough in her acquaintances with Cian or Bridget to delve into their personal lives. “He’s Bridget’s son?”

“No. Carrick’s.”

He plopped down on the other side of Aeden and gazed up at the moon. He inhaled deeply. “It’s healing, isn’t it?”

She smiled until it occurred to her, he’d heard her conversation with his nephew. Now, mortification swept through her, lighting her face on fire.

Thank the Goddess for the darkness.

“Yes,” she replied tightly.

Within her embrace, she felt Aeden shift to look up at her. The clear question in his eyes made her nod. Leaning close enough for only him to hear, she whispered, “Yes, Cian’s the eejit.”

The tiny hint of a smile was her reward. Although he didn’t return her hug, Aeden shifted closer and rested his cheek against her breast.

She caught Cian’s amused look. “Lucky kid. He might be breaking the O’Malleys’ unlucky spell.”

“Pervert,” she mouthed over the small blond head.

Cian looked oddly happy when he winked, closed his lids, and turned his face back up to the moon.

Aeden shifted to stare at his uncle.

“We all need healing on the rare night,” Cian said without opening his eyes.

The boy drew back slightly and checked Piper’s reaction. She smiled as she leaned back on her hands and repeated Cian’s pose.

Aeden seemed to grasp no one was going to demand answers as to why he was outside rather than in his bed. From the corner of her eye, Piper witnessed him mimic her. Her smile widened.

The three of them sat in silence for about five minutes. Then, without warning, Aeden rose to his feet and flung his arms around her neck.

She hugged him tightly and rubbed his back, barely managing to avoid a wince at the initial feel of his ribs and knobby spine. He hurried away, and she stood to watch as he ran through the gate opening and rushed into his home next door.

“Thank you,” Cian said gruffly from beside her.

She tore her gaze from the closed side-door and turned it to him. “Whatever for?”

“For being kind to Aeden when he needs it the most. For not sending him away after he disturbed your peace.”

“He’s adorable. Why doesn’t he speak to you?”

“Noticed that, did you?”

“Yes. It was as if he was trying to hide. Why does he fear you?”

“Not me. The world.”

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