Page 34 of Over Verdant Irish Hills

“And Mary would have been cast in a bad light all over again, seeing how he’s her son.” He shook his head. “She wouldn’t want that, would she?”

“No, she wouldn’t.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Linc asked.

Donal nodded. “We got it wrong. Mary doesn’t want Owen out any more than we do.”

“Who would have guessed it? Twenty bucks says she’s already talked to Tom and told him to keep Owen inside.”

“You might be right. Let me make a few calls and see what I can find out.”

When Donal came back in twenty minutes later, he was grinning. “All talk of Owen’s early release has magically vanished.”

“Hallelujah!” He clanked his glass with Donal’s, and they both drank a celebratory toast.

“Things aren’t looking quite as dire as they did moments ago,” Donal said, licking his finger and holding it up. “Feels like the wind’s changing. I figure that’s got to be true for you and Bets.”

His heart thundered in his chest at the thought. “She has to make the first move after what happened between us. After what she thought of me.” They didn’t have a chance if she secretly thought he was scum.

Donal only sighed. “You really are turning into a right proper Irishman, Linc.”

Linc knew in this case it wasn’t a compliment.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Bets knew she needed Yoda.

The nickname her son’s childhood friends had given him was both amusing and spot-on. In many ways, Liam was wiser than his mother. Good for him. Sucked for her. Seemed like Ellie was walking in his footsteps, because she’d chided Bets for having assaulted Linc’s character after hearing Bets’ side of things before more gently encouraging her to work things out.

How in the world was she going to do that after what had passed between them?

She texted Liam to find where he was working. He responded that he was putting together one of the new sheds at the arts center, so she drove over, squirming in her seat as she thought about their impending conversation. It wasn’t going to be pretty. Nothing was right now, not even her remaining roses.

He had a crew of five men working with him, and they all waved as she exited her car. Rain was coming down in a fine mist, the kind that turned the water to cold pellets on the skin. Bets pulled up her hoodie and strode over to where Liam stood on the grass.

He had his arms crossed over his chest. “Aunt Mary paid you a visit, I hear.”

She nodded. “I imagine it’s all the village is talking about.”

He pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry, Mum. It must have upset you pretty badly.”

“Having your aunt deliver a dying rose and offer to buy our home wasn’t what I’d call the time of my life.” She kicked at the wet ground as she pulled away. “But it’s Linc that I need help with. Liam, I said some terrible things to him.”

He gave himself a moment, rocking on his heels. “Are we being completely honest here?”

The mist danced around her face, making her want to swipe at it like she would gnats. She was aware of the workers standing near the piles of corrugated metal strips at the other end of the structure, giving them privacy while they took a smoke break. They’d probably heard the news too and were steering clear. “Yes, I need Yoda’s help.”

His laugh was more of a snort. “Yoda, huh? Maybe Yoda’s a little nervous, talking to his mum. She didn’t like what he said before.”

“I’m sorry for how I acted. And yes, I really do want your help.” She let out an aggrieved sigh and stomped around a little, the ground squishing under her feet. “I flew off the handle, something I’ve been doing a lot of lately. Love seems to make your mum crazy.”

“It’s not love that makes you crazy, Mum. It’s your own fears and anger. Love gives you wings.”

Suddenly she was drowning in a rush of hurt. “I feel lost, Liam. I was so happy with Linc and then—”

“Why were you trying to push him away so hard, Mum?” he flat-out asked her.

Tension flared under her ribs, making her chest tight. “Because I’m a fraidy-cat. What other reason could there be? Maybe I should just give up on this love stuff since I suck at it.”

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