Page 94 of After Indigo Irish Nights
“Liam.” She needed to get over her embarrassment and talk to Liam. Stat. He’d helped her with Donal before. Maybe he could help her sort out her feelings about him…and Linc.
“Greta!” Sophie was walking down the front steps of the villa toward them. “Sandrine has a snack for you.”
“Thanks for talking with me,” Greta said, flashing her a small smile. “Lots of adults don’t like kids.”
She ran to her mother, who leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering something in her ear. Greta laughed and ran inside.
Bets finally took that deep breath she so desperately needed.
Sophie started down the steps, coming toward her with a smile. “She likes you, and she doesn’t take to a lot of people. I was like her when I was a kid. I’d hide or find a corner and read a book. Only I had talent, which my parents took to mean they were even bigger gods in the art world. My father’s American, you know, and we spent most of our time in New York before they divorced.”
She waited for the woman to continue. There was emotion in Sophie’s voice, the kind Bets understood needed to claw its way out.
“I’m divorced too, although my mother hates me to talk about it. She sees it as failure. I see it as growth. My ex and I realized we weren’t good for each other. He’s a quiet, sensitive musician, the polar opposite of my loud, dramatic parents. It took four years with him for me to realize I was working out other issues.”
That she could relate to. “It seems like we’re always working out some issue, doesn’t it?” She sure had some humdingers herself.
“I suppose, but I think I’ve turned a corner. I can tell my mother I’m going to Ireland and not cave in three days later after she’s browbeat me nonstop about what a bad decision it would be for me and Greta. Artistically.”
She really needed to step out of the sun. She had to be light-headed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you right. Did you say you’re coming to Ireland?”
Sophie laughed gaily, plucking a pink rose and twirling it in her hand. “I wanted to find you right away and tell you. You weren’t in your room. I’m so excited to come to Ireland, Bets. I meant what I said. I think you’re doing something incredible there. I want to be a part of it. Besides, Greta likes you. So does Linc. That’s more than enough for me.”
“I really need to get in the shade.” She wiped the sweat on her brow. “Just like that? I had a whole pitch I’d planned to give you over dinner.”
Sophie plucked another rose and tucked it behind her ear. “I know when something feels right—and I’ve learned to trust those feelings. Besides, this way, we can have more fun before you leave tomorrow afternoon. I’d love to show you the village and a few of my favorite shops. After we get through dinner tonight. My mother is probably going to put on a hell of a show. She’s never forgotten that Linc ended things between them. So… How long have you and Linc been together? Ellie must be thrilled.”
Bets locked her trembling knees. “You think we’re together?”
“Oh, don’t be coy.” She grinned. “I understand wanting to be professional, but I feel like we’re going to be fast friends. You tworeallylook at each other, and a couple of times, I swear it was like you were reading each other’s minds. He’s wonderful, isn’t he? A man of contrasts. Irreverent yet respectful. Smart yet unassuming. Easygoing and yet driven. There’s no one quite like Linc.”
God, the woman’s description had her smiling despite herself. From the moment she’d met him, he’d surprised and delighted her, sealing their friendship by taking her to Paris that first night. “No, there’s not,” she managed.
“When he called me, I knew my life was about to change. He’s like that. He blows in and everything shifts.”
Yes, everything had. She thought back to the incredible wind the night Ellie had first arrived in Ireland. That was also the night Donal had told her that he was retiring and wanted to move in together and get married. She hadn’t wanted those things. She’d wanted to keep things as they were. He’d walked out. She’d thought they were through.
Linc had shown up on the tail end of that storm.
Ananfa,the Irish called them—the kind of storm that changed lives. Hers had changed. She hadn’t fully realized how much until this very moment. Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears suddenly.
“Are you all right?” Sophie touched her arm. Her brow was knit with concern. “The heat can get to you when you’re not used to it. Let’s grab you some water. You can sit down.”
She didn’t need to sit down. She was having a nervous breakdown or something.
“Hey!” Sophie took her arm gently, and the wineglass she’d forgotten about tumbled out of her hand.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry,” she said, feeling like she’d tumbled along with it. Down a rabbit hole.
“Don’t worry about it,” she said gently. “Come with me now.”
Sophie picked up the glass for her, and they headed for the door. The moment they stepped inside, Linc sighted them and rushed over. “What’s wrong?”
“I think the heat’s gotten to her. Some Perrier should do the trick.”
A glass of water wouldn’t solve anything.
Strong hands helped her into a soft chair in the living room. Then they reached up to frame her face. The heat from them made her gasp.
