Page 42 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

She tucked her hands behind her back, hoping she didn’t look sheepish. Bad pun. “No, I’m good. I do wrap myself up when I’m thinking sometimes.”

“I bake cookies,” Bets said, pulling up her collar when the wind kicked up. “I’ve baked four dozen this week.”

“We have cookies coming out of our ears,” Linc replied. “For good reason. We might have arranged the return of this mobile home, but Malcolm Coveney isn’t done with us. At least I have his number now.”

Sophie peeled her gaze away from the crew reconnecting the porch. “Do tell.”

“He’s in hock,” Linc replied with a scary little smile. “With his new resort. The golf course and trappings haven’t gone exactly as he’d hoped. He needs more occupants in his hotel, to say the least.”

“That’s where we’re supposed to come in,” Bets said with a scowl. “Just up and move our arts center for him.”

“I thought golf was a big draw in Ireland,” she said, not being among the fanatics herself.

Linc nodded, keeping an eye on the crew. “He’d arranged for a retired American pro golfer to give high-priced lessons and hang around the place, making it a serious golf destination, but it fell through.”

“Rather like having artists in residence,” Sophie added with a laugh.

“You knew you’re the prize bear in our circus?” Linc quipped with a grin.

“Stop that,” Bets said, clucking her tongue.

He made a face back to her. “Seems this golfer who I can’t name for confidential reasons didn’t care much for Malcolm’s ways and told him straight-out. Didn’t go over well. Major bookings got canceled. Even a charity golf tournament that had been expected to bring in lots of high rollers and press for the resort.”

“That explains his clothes and all those rings,” Bets said, waggling her hands dramatically. “The Irish have some great expressions for that kind of front.When you’re broke, you have to have a flash.But my favorite isdress well when you’re going bad.”

“Oh, I love that.” Sophie was still picking up Irish sayings, and she knew it would take a while for her to develop a good vernacular.

“Makes me think of skinny-dipping with snapping turtles,” Linc said with a naughty chuckle.

“Linc Buchanan, you are terrible,” Bets exclaimed, socking his arm.

“And you love it,” he responded, wrapping an arm around her waist.

They shared a deeply connected look for a moment, one that was rife with heat. Sophie looked away, thinking that she couldn’t wait for that kind of look from Jamie tonight.

“We’re done here,” the head guy called. He was the same man who’d disconnected the trailer last week, and he didn’t look the least bit chagrined about his behavior.

“Great!” Linc patted Bets one more time for good measure. “Would you mind texting Liam now, sugar, while I send them off? Sophie, I’ll take your luggage inside.”

Sometimes he was too much. “I’ve got it, Linc.”

He shot her a look, so she stayed where she was after rolling her eyes, which had him chuckling.

“Let him do the guy thing,” Bets said as she pulled out her phone and shot off a text. “It makes him happy. Anything else we can do to make you more comfortable?”

“Not a thing.” She pointed to the sky. “Okay, maybe some sun and warmer weather. It’s the beginning of September, for heaven’s sake. I knew about the Irish weather but this is—”

“Typical.” Bets’ sigh sounded downright depressed. “Even after all these years, the weather still gives me fits. I know it’s last minute, but I wondered if you and Greta would like to come over for dinner tonight?”

“I’d love to, but I already have plans. Rain check?”

The older woman gave her a knowing smile. “Jamie?”

“I’m in new territory here, so I’m not sure if I should simply sayno commentlike I did to my reporter friend.” She pointed to the band of men alighting in the truck. “They’re finally leaving. Good riddance.”

“Nice evasion,” Bets added with a little elbow nudge to Sophie’s side. “All right, we’ll get out of your hair so you can settle in. And get ready for your secret plans.”

With that, she headed off toward Linc as he took her bags out of the trunk. They spoke for a quick moment before Linc crossed the yard and deposited her luggage in the front foyer.

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