Page 76 of Highballs & Hexes

“Word’s spreading about what you’re doing here,” Fi said from beside Patrick.

“Aye,” Ronan replied with a nod before striding off to greet his cousin.

As they observed the two men hugging, Fi rested her head on Patrick’s shoulder. “Tadhg’s expressed interest in visiting.”

“Sure, and I’ll believe that when I see it,” he muttered.

“Well, open your eyes, Paddy O. He’s there, on the dock.”

Tadhg’s gaze scanned the surrounding area, and his grim expression revealed his acute discomfort. Returning to the island was difficult for all of them, but the more they did, the easier it became to see the prison was long since torn down and its horrific past buried. In its place, something beautiful was blooming. Bonds were forming and relationships were developing.

“You’ve paid your restitution, love,” she assured Patrick, stretching to kiss him. “Keep believing in yourself and your mission.”

“It’s easier to do with you by my side, Fi.”

Her self-satisfied smile filled his heart to full.

“Should we go greet Tadhg?” he asked. “The least we can do is meet him halfway, yeah?”

“No. He needs to seek you out this time. You’ve tried to make it right in the past, and he was a stubborn twat. Let him take the step.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Tadhg’s attention locked on them and he headed in their direction. A wealth of emotion came and went across his face, with acceptance settling down for a spell.

“Have you heard from Noah,” Patrick asked her as they waited for her brother to reach them.

“Just yesterday. He’s spending his spare time with his brother and family.”

“Good. No one should be alone in this world.”

Fi grinned up at him. “As if you haven’t been popping into his pub for a pint!”

Patrick laughed upon discovering she’d found him out. “He’s an interesting man to talk to.”

“You’ve a healthy attitude about life, all the same,” she replied before turning to greet her brother.

After a breathy exhale, Tadhg held out his hand to Patrick. “I’ve come to apologize for encouraging Mam to hire those assassins. And to tell you, I bear ya no more ill will.”

“That’s mighty big of you,” Patrick replied, tongue in cheek, but willing to accept the offer of a truce. “Come, I’ll show you around.”

“Will ya join us, Fi?” her brother asked.

From behind him, Patrick shook his head, hoping she realized he’d prefer alone time to patch the rift.

“I’ll catch up with you before you go, Tadhg.” She patted her brother’s cheek. “I’ve duties to see to here.”

With a hesitant nod, her brother fell into step beside Patrick. They walked for a bit without speaking until they came to a clearing.

“This is where our cellblock was located,” Tadhg said.

His voice was deep from the emotion he struggled to suppress, but Patrick experienced them all the same. Anu hadgifted him with an empath’s ability to feel what others were so that he could better help them heal.

“We haven’t decided on what to build here, yet.” He met the man’s cautious blue gaze, pleased to realize Tadhg’s animosity was truly gone. “Fi and I were waiting to see if you had any ideas for it.”

“Me?”

“Aye.”

“Why would either of you care what I have to say?”

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