Page 61 of Highballs & Hexes

“Fionola?” Mam’s tearful voice fed Fi’s guilt for not returning home immediately after escaping from the prison. She didn’ttrust Tadhg to represent what happened or her desire to stay with Patrick until he was recovered.

“Hi, Mam,” she said, equally as tearful.

What was it about the unconditional love of a parent that always made a grown woman feel like a child? Her mother was as strong and dependable as they came, but if she was in such emotional state, her fear must be great.

“When are you coming home? Tadhg said you stayed with that awful man. Why would you do such a thing, girl?”

“He’s not awful, Mam. Sure, and he was confused for a bit, but he’s healed now.”

Clara rattled off a few choice phrases, and Fi winced at the things coming from the other side of the call. Tadhg added his vitriol in the background, feeding into their mother’s worry.

Infusing authority into her voice, Fi said, “Mam, calm down and stop letting Tadhg rile ya. Patrick is a good man, and I’ll not have you saying such things about him.”

A snort sounded behind her and caused her to turn. The man in question sat atop a bar stool on stage, in his hands was a guitar, and he was fiddling with the tuning pegs. Amusement curled his lips, and his eyes were laughing when they met hers.

With a glare, she stalked to the opposite end of the pub. The first notes of the song he wrote drifted to her, and Fi’s heart melted as she recalled the words he’d sung the night before.

“I have to go, Mam. I just wanted you to know I’m okay, yeah?”

“When will you be home?”

“Soon.”

“Tell her you’ll be home tomorrow,” Patrick called out.

She frowned across the distance. How had he heard the question, and why did he sound so positive? Did he intend to send her packing? He had another think coming if he believed he could get rid of her so easily.

“Soon,” she said again, firmer this time. “I’ll phone you tomorrow and check in. You’re not to worry, all the same.”

“You should go home, Fionola,” he told her the moment she ended the call. “It’s safer.”

“Shut your gob, Patrick O’Malley! I’ll not run because some mad cow is after ya.”

“Is it your intent to always be this bossy?”

“Are you man enough to handle it?” she challenged him as she ascended the stairs.

Setting aside the guitar, he crooked his finger, beckoning her nearer. When she stopped in front of him, fists on hips and the light of battle in her eyes, he grinned and hauled her close.

“Likely I’m not, but I’ll die a happy man from trying.”

CHAPTER 26

In the quiet shadows of the sleeping pub, Fintan Sullivan observed the kissing couple. They were about to face another hurdle, and soon, unless he missed his guess. He’d come out to speak with Fionola, only to find her on the phone and Patrick hanging about like a damned wraith, unwilling to let the woman out of his sight. The overprotectiveness made Fin frown harder, because he’d a vision of the man walking away from her for good, though it wasn’t clear precisely why yet. The Sullivan ancestors were stingy with their visions at times.

When Fionola pulled back, the bright glow of love lit her aura. Even had he not been able to see such things, Fintan would’ve known she was smitten by the flush of her cheeks and the sparkle in her large blue eyes. He hated to be the one to tell her about her upcoming heartache, but he didn’t want her to be blindsided by someone she trusted. Being on the receiving end of betrayal hurt like a motherfucker.

As if sensing his presence, she cast a side glance his way. Her smile dimmed, and she murmured something to Patrick, who turned to look at him.

“What’s the craic, man?” he called out to Fintan.

“I’ve a mind to speak to Fionola.”

After a quick study of his serious face, Patrick slowly, as if reluctant to, dropped his hands from her hips and rose. The couple shared another sweet kiss before parting, with Patrick heading out the door and Fionola joining Fintan.

“What’s this about?” she asked curiously. “Does it have something to do with what you saw during the meeting, then?”

A smile curled his lips. “Noticed that, did ya?”

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