Page 72 of Pints & Potions

“No lecture, Dad?” she asked gently. “No ‘You’re a gol-dern hard-headed mule, Pip’?”

“No lecture. Your mother and I have raised you to be an intelligent, free-spirited woman. There isn’t anything more we could say or do that’ll make a difference.” When he looked at her, there was a sheen of moisture coating his eyes. “I’m proud of you, Pip. So very proud. And I don’t want you to ever doubt how much we love you.”

“If I had any doubts, I think you both assuaged them when you saved my life after I’d been shot.”

Hoyt winced. “Don’t remind me, or I’m liable to lock you up and throw away the key to keep you safe.”

“That’s the thing, Dad. Youcan’tkeep me safe. Life is full of risks. But you and Mom have prepared me, and I’m ready to live my life to the fullest.”

“With Cian?”

“If that’s what he wants.”

“I’ve never seen another man look at you the way he does. I’m glad he realized he cared before it was too late.”

“Me too. Now, it’s going to be a matter of convincing him that he’s not the one putting me in jeopardy and that sending me away isn’t the best course of action.”

“If anyone can do it, Pip, it’s you.”

She dove for his embrace when he spread his arms wide. “Thank you for your faith in me, Dad. I love you so much.”

“Always.” His arms tightened right before he released her and tilted up her chin. “And I love you more,” he assured her with an affectionate smile.

“You always say that but it’s not possible.”

“I love you infinity,” they said in unison then laughed. They’d played their little game from the time she was a small child. Each proclaiming to love the other more. It always ended with “I love you infinity.”

“Gather what you need. I’ll let your mother know we’re leaving soon.”

“Do you think we’ll ever find the person who wants to hurt me?” Piper asked in a small voice.

“I don’t know, Pip, but we’ll dern well try.”

Cian rubbedhis eyes and blinked to check his vision as Piper strolled into his living room. Although a huge part of him wanted to send her right back to America, an even larger part wanted her to stay with him forever. One glimpse of her uncertainty was all it took to have him rush forward and wrap her in a tight embrace.

“Piper.” He expelled a heartfelt sigh. “You’re a foolish, foolish woman to return here.”

“I couldn’t stay away, Cian.”

He hugged her tighter. She didn’t give one peep of protest over his fierce embrace, and for that, he was happy because he had the burning desire to crush her against him. He had to convince himself she was really alive and well.

“I’m powerful angry with you for returning. But my heart… it felt like it had taken a battering with you gone.” Finally remembering her injury, he drew back and frantically unbuttoned her shirt to search for the wound. “Are you alright? Does it still hurt? Should you be restin’?”

She prevented his clumsy attempt by clasping his hands between hers. “Cian, stop. I’m fine. I promise. Not even a mark remains.”

He simply stared at her, all the things he was unable to say bottled up in the back of his throat.

Piper placed her palm against his jaw. “I promise I’m okay.”

He jerked her back into a hug and rested his cheek atop her head. His gaze connected with Hoyt’s. “You’re too trusting, Mr. Thorne. She’s not safe here, and you know it.”

“You try arguing with her.” Underlying the other man’s resignation was a fondness for his daughter’s stubborn ways.

“We’ve plenty of that in our future, to be sure,” Cian said with a grin. “Now, if you would step out of the room, I’ve a mind to kiss my woman all proper like.”

Hoyt chuckled but exited all the same.

“What’s considered ‘proper like?’” Piper asked. Her face was alight with curiosity, hunger, and no small amount of anticipation.

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