Page 32 of Over Verdant Irish Hills

“We’re in Ireland now.” Her straight honey blond hair swayed a little when she shook her head. “I’ve stopped judging, especially since my husband runs the town pub. Bad for business. So… You and Bets are having a time-out?”

“We’re through, honey.” He glowered at his melting ice. “Something to do with her thinking I’m a man of low moral character.”

She rubbed his arm in comforting circles. “She was wrong to think that, Daddy, and I told her so when I went by her house looking for you.”

That snapped his head up. “You did? What did she say?”

“Her side of things.”

“Of course she did.”

Ellie pointed to the adjoining chair, smoothing her hands down her jeans. “Mind if I sit? I’ve been on my feet all day working on the final touches for my window.”

“Sit, Ellie,” Donal said. Then he poured her whiskey and offered it to her, which she took. “Glad to hear someone with Buchanan in their name has still got some sense.”

She indulged in a healthy sip before saying, “I’m not saying I don’t understand her perspective. Daddy, when are you ever going to learn?”

He glared at her. “And here I was, starting to enjoy this conversation.”

“Daddy, women don’t like you trying to solve their problems.” She glanced heavenward before giving him a tender glare. “When did I ever?”

“And yet, you just went over to Bets’ and talked about our relationship.” He shot her a look. “Or are you conveniently forgetting that?”

She blew out a raspberry, looking like a little kid instead of a woman about to turn thirty. “Fine. I meddled a little. I get it from you.”

He made a rude noise in return. “Not helping.”

“The question is, are you going to try to win Bets back?” Ellie crossed her arms over her blue hoodie. “This kind of behavior suggests otherwise. It smacks of self-pity.”

Her slight had him sitting up straighter in his chair. “Didn’t you tell me only a short while ago that I’m terrible relationship material?”

“I was wrong to say that,” she said softly. “I know it hurt you.”

Donal left the room without a backward glance. Linc looked at his daughter. “I’m the same person I was when you said that, so perhaps you were right.”

“But I don’t believe it anymore,” his daughter responded, setting her whiskey against her ribs.

“Why in the hell not?”

She smiled. “Sorcha.”

That one word made Linc’s vision blur. “Not you too.”

“Daddy, I heard through the grapevine that she thinks you and Bets are soulmates.”

“Who told you?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Lupe?”

“Duh!” Ellie left her chair and crouched beside him again. “The question is, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to sound crazy.”

She arched her brow. “I don’t buy that. Sorcha helped Brady and me. You knew that.”

He felt his lip curl as he admitted, “Maybe I didn’t want to put pressure on us or raise anyone’s expectations.” His own included. But goldarn it, he’d had such hopes for them.

“Seeing how she’s been right about everyone, she has to be right about you two as well. Lupe agrees. You’re just being stubborn.”

He couldn’t believe this. “Ella Mae, this is the most ludicrous conversation we’ve ever had.”

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