Page 14 of Surrender
“What look?”
“That stupid, smitten, lost puppy look. I’ve seen it before.”
Keefe crossed his arms, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. “You like Ginny.”
“Of course, I like Ginny. We all like Ginny. That’s the problem. She’s too good for you.”
He raised his brows. “Wow. Thanks. Love you too.”
Nan sighed, her tone softening—just a little. “I mean she’s too nice for you, love. You need a woman who’ll keep you on your toes—and not because she’s tripping over her own feet. Jesus Christ, when I think of all those doxies you used to bring around?—”
“I should think that would make Ginny more appealing, then. You can’t say she’s a…”
“Of course, she’s not!” Nan threw her hands up. “That’s exactly the problem. She’s decent. Sweet. Doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. And you—well, you’ve got a history.”
Keefe sighed and slumped down in the chair behind his desk. “Then who’s the right girl, Nan? If not Ginny, who?”
“I don’t know,” she said, tugging the pie plate closer to herself without an ounce of shame. “But you’ll know her when you meet her. If you go messing about with Ginny, it’ll only end in tears. And you’ll be down the best waitress this pub has ever had.” She paused for effect. “Not to mention your sister will rip off your head and use it for a bowling ball.”
Keefe winced, picturing the scene.
“Hey Soph, Ginny quit.”
“Why?”
“Because I dumped her.”
Cue Sophie launching a meat cleaver at his head. And the terrifying part was—his sister had aim like a sniper.
Nan had a point.
“I know you’re lonely, pet,” she said gently, scooping up the wildflowers and giving them a quick sniff, “but it won’t be forever. The right one will come.”
He didn’t believe that for a second. Which was exactly why he’d asked Sophie to help—he’d never picked the right ones on his own. Every girlfriend he’d had came with baggage, drama, or a mysterious inability to spell “commitment.” Nan was right. He had a type, and it wasn’t “nice.”
“So let me get this straight,” he said, rubbing his temples. “First, you tell me every girlfriend I’ve ever had is a slut, and now Ginny’s too good for me?”
“Exactly.” Nan grinned.
He let out a long, theatrical groan and threw his hands in the air. “There’s no winning with you.”
“Nope,” she said brightly, already halfway to the door. She paused, doubling back just long enough to scoop the pie plate and flowers into her arms. “Now, I’ll be taking these?—”
“Hey!”
“And don’t you go bringing her new ones understand? Now go warm her a fresh slice of pie. Add a bit of whipped cream, too. And bring her some whiskey for the pain not that tea.”
She leveled him with one last warning glance. “But don’t give her any ideas. Understand?”
“Yes, yes. I understand,” Keefe muttered, already turning toward the kitchen again.
“Good,” Nan said sweetly. “You’re a good lad. Just not too good.”
And with that, Nan sailed out of the room, victorious as ever, leaving Keefe alone with a tray full of mixed signals and no idea what the hell to do next.
Chapter 6
Connor stepped into the nursery. Inside, the soft creak of the floorboards was the only sound heard before he bent to press a kiss to the crown of Darcie’s head. She was already leaning over the crib, cooing softly. He smiled, lifting little Sylvie into his arms with practiced ease.
