Page 62 of The Women of Wild Hill
Phoebe’s eyes remained locked on her sister. “You know this guy?”
“We met on the plane from Los Angeles,” Brigid explained. Then she addressed the man. “Perhaps you should introduce yourself to my sister.”
“Apologies.” He held out a hand. “My name is Liam.”
“Liam Geddes, this is my sister, Phoebe, and my niece, Sibyl,” Brigid told him.
Phoebe stared down at the man’s hand as though it couldn’t be real. “Calum’s son? What are you—” She turned toward the bonfire then back at her sister. They both knew that the Old One had sent him.Whywas the question that neither could answer.
“My father’s funeral was this afternoon. I thought I’d be clever and take the boat into town to avoid paparazzi. I assumed I’d be back by dusk. As I was heading home, I saw the fire on the hill. I was worried your house might be in trouble, so I steered closer to shore than I should have.”
Phoebe still appeared utterly confused. “Your father’s funeral was in Mattauk? Why would it be in Mattauk?”
“He bought an estate out here in the nineties after your mother died. I guess he fell in love with the Island during his time here with Flora. He wanted to be buried as close to her as possible. He even put it in his will.” Liam pointed to the bonfire at the top of the hill. “Would you mind if I stand by your fire for a few minutes before I head home? It’s a bit chilly to have taken an evening swim.”
“Of course,” Phoebe said. “Go on ahead. We’ll join you up there in a moment.”
“Thank you,” Liam said. “I appreciate it.”
The three of them watched until he was well out of earshot.
“What the fuck?” Sibyl spoke first.
“Are we supposed to kill him?” Phoebe asked. “Did anyone bring a weapon?”
No one answered for a moment. Liam had reached the bonfire. He picked a spot and waved down at them.
“He’s even better-looking than his dad,” Sibyl noted.
Phoebe grimaced. “Don’t be disgusting. I say we get rid of him.”
“You don’t get a vote,” Brigid said. “We all know that the only person who’s going to kill anyone is me, and I’m not going to kill Liam.”
“Liam?” Phoebe mimicked her.
“That’s his fucking name, isn’t it?” Brigid asked.
“Holy shit.” Sibyl laughed. “I think she likes him.”
Brigid narrowed her eyes. “You don’t know me well enough yet to make fun of me.”
“Fine. Fuck him, then kill him if that’s what you have to do,” Phoebe said. “But he needs to be killed.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be the healer?” Brigid said. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and get some bandages for our guest’s gaping head wound.”
“I’ll go with you!” Sibyl announced, giddy at the prospect of leaving her aunt alone with Liam Geddes.
“I don’t know which of you is more annoying,” Brigid grumbled as she started off up the hill.
“So have you three decided what you want to do with me?” their guest asked as she approached.
“You’re pretty bold for someone who barely escaped being fish food.”
Liam reached over and plucked a twig out of her hair and tossed it onto the flames. “Looks like you had an interesting day, too,” he observed.
“You could say that,” Brigid said. “Sure ended with a bang.” The words came out before she could stop them. She’d heard her mother say the very same thing. It felt uncanny, like an echo through time.
Liam grimaced. “I’m very sorry for barging in like this,” he told her. “It really wasn’t intentional. I was planning to stop by with flowers. Preferably while wearing dry clothes.”
