Page 43 of Surrender
After smacking his shoulder, Sondra turned away with her wine glass tight to her face, giggling.
“Sondra!” Sophie cried.
“Oh, come on, sis. Like any of us needed her to tell us.” Keefe wasn’t about to pass up this golden opportunity to bust his sister’s chops. “You came in with grass stains on your back—and don’t even think I didn’t notice the bite mark on your—ow!” Sophie grabbed him by the ear pulling him down so she could whisper a threat into it. It must have been a good one because his eyes got huge. Keefe straightened after she released him, cleared his throat and said, “Sorry everyone, my mistake. My sister simply fell over. What I meant to say was,” he spoke very quickly as he dashed away to the dining room before his sister could catch him, “Sophie had the biggest hickey I’ve ever seen on her neck!”
“Keefe! I’m gonna kill you!” Sophie shouted after her brother.
Everyone, except Sophie, burst into laughter.
“Have some wine Soph, and you’ll be as jolly as the rest of us,” said Simon as he threw his arm around her shoulders, handing her his glass.
Sophie took it from him and downed the contents in one. She narrowed her eyes at him, then pointed a finger. “I’ve got jet lag, a sunburn in a weird place, and no patience for your nonsense, Simon O’Brian.”
He raised his hands in surrender. “All right, all right, love. No more teasing. Cross my heart.” Then, behind her back, slapped Liam a high five.
Connor stepped in from the back door slapping his hands together. “All right! The steaks are hot, the oysters are browned and the babies are asleep—for now. Let’s not tempt fate. So, everyone grab a seat.”
“Smells great! Did you make a garlic butter for the oysters?” Liam asked, sniffing the air like a bloodhound.
Connor gestured toward the table. “Please. What do you think I am, an amateur? Of course.” Puh-lease! Connor couldn’t boil an egg! Henry and Shamus had done the grilling and yes, they had indeed poured lemon-garlic butter onto each oyster as it grilled on the barbeque. All Connor had done was hold the platter as the food was removed from the grill.
As laughter and conversation swirled around the table and the last of the grilled oysters were set down, Liam leaned over toward Shamus. He hated to bring it up, especially now, but the question had been sitting on his mind all day.
“I know this isn’t exactly dinner conversation,” he began, lowering his voice, “but has there been any news about Gwen?”
The table quieted just enough for everyone to hear Shamus’s sigh. “No, nothing,” he said. “Liam, are you sure you don’t remember anything else about her?”
“Sorry, no,” Liam replied, shifting in his seat. “Cian never really talked about his personal life or family. I only met her a couple of times—and briefly. She seemed nice enough. Maybe a bit guarded, you know? Like she didn’t trust people very much.”
“It’s no wonder, considering who her father was,” Nan said.
“Do you think she knew about Cian?” Shamus asked. “Did she seem like she was part of his… ‘business’?”
Liam shook his head, thinking back. “No, I don’t think so. Not that I’d be the best judge. She did once ask if I’d consider donating a painting to her charity auction.”
“You don’t remember what the charity was called?” asked Nan.
“I wish I did. I think it had something to do with children…” He had been trying to recall anything else. But the details stayed maddeningly vague. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Cian had led a double life. “I had no idea he was, you know…”
“An art-thieving, murderous bastard?” Sondra offered, raising an eyebrow with a sip of wine.
“Exactly.” Liam exhaled and pulled Sophie closer, his arm slipping around her shoulders. “He was always generous with me. Supportive, even. I couldn’t believe it when Sophie told me everything.”
“Well, he’s gone now,” Henry declared, clapping his hands and eyeing the food spread. “And this is a welcome home dinner, not a wake. So, let’s change the subject, shall we? These oysters aren’t going to eat themselves.”
“Right you are, love,” said Sylvia who was holding a sleeping baby Sylvie.
“Mom, you know you don’t have to hold her. She’s fast asleep now. Let me take her to the nursery. Hal is asleep too,” said Connor gesturing to his son who was sleeping in Nan’s arms.
“Mind your own feckin’ business,” said Nan. “Me and Hal are perfectly happy as we are. Besides, they might wake up if we move them, isn’t that right, Syl?”
“She’s right, son. Best leave the twins with them,” said Henry sounding as if he were looking out for the best interest of the babies when really, he was looking to wrap up the conversation so he could eat.
Now, Connor knew his children, and he knew well enough they would sleep very happily in their beds. He also knew that his mother and aunt simply wanted more time with the babies. And really, why take that away from them? There were worse things in life than a child being deeply loved. So, he left it alone and settled into his seat beside his beautiful wife.
Helpless, he glanced at Darcie, and she simply smiled that sweet smile he loved so well. They couldn’t ask for more—or for a better family to raise their babies alongside. Never mind that they no longer had much say in the twins’ routine—if they ever really had any say at all. Oh well. Hal and Sylvie were content, and in the end, that’s what really mattered.
“So, Sophie, Liam, are you happy to be back?” Darcie asked.
