Page 114 of Beside Golden Irish Fields
“The worst,” Megan said, squeezing her hand. “I’m sorry he acted that way, although I understand. Remember how overprotective I was with Ollie after Tyson died? I was afraid to lose him. And I’ve hovered a little over you since you scared me with your fall. Angie, I didn’t like seeing you in the hospital.”
Her mouth tipped up again. “On that we agree. I hated being there. You might have been a little right about not dancing on the bar. Or at least dancing in wedges. Now thatwasstupid.”
“I was being a busybody.” Megan made a face. “Next time you dance on the bar, hold on to someone like Liam or Kade. They would never let you fall.”
If Carrick had been close, he’d wouldn’t have let her fall either. But he hadn’t been, and that one moment had changed everything. Her chest tightened with the pain again. She was going to have a good cry when Megan left.
“I’m glad you stayed and talked to me, Meg. I’ve hated the distance between us.”
Her sister squeezed her hand. “I have too. Once I got over my anger and self-pity. Angie, I…don’t really like who I am.”
She pointed to her dresser. “I hear you. Megan, I need new clothes. I hate the ones I’ve been wearing. I like my old jeans and shirts and coat with paint and patches on them.”
Her sister let out a short laugh. “You look better in them actually. Less frumpy.”
“Thanks! Ihatefrumpy.”
“But I wasn’t only talking about clothes,” Megan said softly.
She met her sister’s gaze. “I know. You’ll figure it out. Seems you have good helpers around. Liam and Kade.”
Megan smiled fully this time. “Yes, they’re pretty wonderful. Oh, Angie! I forgot to tell you one positive thing that’s come out of you going to the hospital.”
“They had good ice cream?” she asked.
Her pointed look was so sisterlike. “I’d pinch you if you weren’t convalescing. Be serious!”
She laughed. “I am! The ice cream in our area is terrible.”
“Your blood pressure is picture perfect. The doctor couldn’t believe you’d had any trouble with it when I mentioned it.”
Lying back against the pillows, she snuggled in. “See! I knew letting loose was the answer.”
“I’ll have to try it,” Megan said.
They shared a smile, and Angie could feel things lightening up in both of them.
“I can’t wait,” she said. “Now, come here and hug me. Then I’m going to nap.”
Her sister scooted closer and embraced her. She put her arms around her and closed her eyes.
It felt like a new beginning between them.
“Are you two making up finally?” she heard Ollie ask.
Megan leveled back but kept her hand sweetly on Angie. “Yes,” they both said.
“Good!” He blew out an exaggerated breath. “Liam and Kade said you would get there, but man, you were mad at each other a long time.”
She chuckled as he came over to the bed, his short dark hair windblown.
“Are you still mad at me, Ollie?” Megan asked, tilting her head to the side. “It’s okay if you are.”
He lifted his shoulder. “Not too much. Liam and Kade said it’s okay to be angry. You just don’t want to roll around in it, like the cows do in the mud. They’re disgusting when they’re that dirty. People get like that too, you know, but we have clothes on, so you can’t always see. That’s why you have to listen to people’s words and actions, Kade says. It tells you the full picture.”
Liam and Kade were regular life coaches, and Angie was grateful they were working wonders with her sister and nephew.
“Goodness!” Megan laughed. “Was I a dirty cow?”
