Page 36 of After Indigo Irish Nights
“What about our new contact at the Arts Council in Dublin?” Bets asked. “Do you think she can help?”
Linc lifted a shoulder. “Locals don’t like big brother coming in and telling them how it’s going to be. That’s why I think we might switch tactics here and try to get them on our side.”
“What?” she shrieked.
“Hang on, Bets. Let me finish. I’m not saying we work on Tom or his wife, or your sister-in-law. There are other people on the council. Those are the ones we reach out to.”
“But Tom leads with an iron fist,” Liam said in exasperation. “That’s a tough thing to break.”
Linc’s smile made Bets think of those movies about outlaws in the Old West. “I don’t want to break it. I want to encourage that hand to unfurl.”
Kathleen cursed, her expression fierce. She was a force to be reckoned with, Kathleen. It made Bets like her even more. “You’re saying you want to put some goodies in that hand. God, I hate this shit. I just want to make my art.”
“And yet your work is approved and paid for by public bodies sometimes.” Linc rubbed her arm. “Your work is in the public eye, Kathleen. Hell, if Ellie does stained glass windows for a church, she’ll have to deal with religious figures and the like. Art ain’t done in no vacuum, honey, certainly not good art. Seems you and Ellie—as well as this community—are along for the ride. But ride it we will. To victory.”
Bets was already tired just thinking about another battle after the endless fights they’d had with Tom and company since she first started the center last August. Still, she said, “Where do you want to start?”
“I thought we might use the upcoming fights at the local boxing club.” Linc waggled his brows. “That’s always a good time to work people over, I’ve found. I hear Caisleán has a fighter in Declan McGrath.”
“You have to be kidding.” Bets raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Aboxingmatch?”
“Men love to do business at sports matches, I’ve found,” Linc said with a wink. “Something about the atmosphere makes them feel and act more like men. Most leave their Napoleonic complexes at the door.”
“Exactly! We all walk around like the big cock in the yard,” Donal said, grinning from ear to ear. “I’ll talk to the others. Declan’s first fight is in a month with Paul Keane—a tough fighter. We can reach out to Paul’s manager and see if we can move the fight up. Declan will be ready. He’s been training hard.”
“Good,” Linc said, rubbing his chin. “Be good to have another match shortly after that to keep the momentum going.”
The two men shared a look before Donal nodded. “We’ll want someone big for him to fight. I’ll talk to the others.”
“You should talk to Declan,” Bets said, grimacing. “You’re pimping him out, after all.”
“Agreed.” Kathleen ran her tongue over her teeth. “I’m sure Declan would love to hear that he’s our tool for wheeling and dealing. Jeez. It’s like I’m back in Southie. I think I’m going to need some of that bourbon now, Linc.”
“Me too,” Bets said, frowning at the idea of lobbying jerks while watching the male species bash each other blue. “Got any more bright ideas, cowboy?”
He simply leaned back and put his ankle on his knee, looking very pleased with himself. “Actually, yes. I’m going to teach the sheep farmers how to lasso. There’s no reason they need to be chasing sheep like they do.”
“That might work,” Donal said, leaning forward. “God knows how many sheep I’ve chased, and not always successfully. The men will be eager to try it.”
Kathleen groaned while Bets slapped a hand to her forehead.
They were in for it.
What was Linc going to think up next?
CHAPTEREIGHT
When she heard someone pounding at her door early the next morning, Kathleen’s mind raced to Declan as she shot out of bed.
She had on the same shorts she’d worn last time, the ones he’d reached out to touch. Her skin sizzled. She thought about changing and brushing her hair—she probably had bed head. But it was his fault he was at her door early again. She tried to quell her pounding heart as she opened the front door.
It was Linc. “Oh, it’s you.” She winced. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”
“Expecting someone else?” His silver brow winged up. “Not my daughter, it seems. Anything I should know about?”
“No.” The last thing she needed was for Ellie’s dad to question her about Declan. He was on her mind enough without having everyone constantly remind her of him.
Robbie’s last text had been epic:I smell a guy. You’d better fess up soon.
