Saving a Legend(39)

That was exactly why she didn’t want to start something with Kieran. He was a good man. He tried to take care of them; he wanted her despite her having a child in her life. He had gone above and beyond to be there for her when she needed him.

He deserved better than the little she had to offer.

—

“Not a chance in hell.” Kieran shook his head firmly.

“Why not? What’s wrong with it?” She frowned at the vest on the hanger she was holding. It boasted a dull orange background with green chevron stripes across the front. To be blunt, it was an absolutely hideous vest.

“Ma, that’s ugly as shit.” Kane laughed as he stood next to his twin in the kitchen, where they’d been watching Dee prepare dinner, even though it was still early in the morning.

“Níl. It is not!” She balked. “And watch your language, Kane.”

“I’m not going to wear it, Ma. Sorry,” Kieran confirmed, grinning at Kane as they exchanged a knowing look about how ridiculous their mother was.

“I’ll take it back to the store. It’s fine.” She sighed and hooked the hanger over the top edge of a door. “You just don’t know how great this would have looked on you.”



“But I do know I’m not going to wear orange and green stripes anytime soon,” Kieran informed her.

“He’s got a new lady friend to impress, Ma. He can’t be killing his game wearing that,” Kane added.

“Wait, what? You do?” Dee turned her attention to them as she continued working on the lasagna. She wouldn’t put it in the oven until later this afternoon, but Kieran knew she liked to have everything ready ahead of time.

“Kane,” he groaned, glaring at his brother.

“Don’t be mean-mugging me. You know Ma was going to find out eventually.” Kane shrugged, indifferent to the can of worms he’d just opened as well as the angry look on Kieran’s face.

“Kieran, this is wonderful!” Dee smiled brightly. “Who is she?”

“Her name is Fiona,” he said, offering up as little as possible.

“She’s the flower shop girl I was telling you about,” Kane told their mother as he practically shoved a whole muffin into his mouth.

Dee’s face became one big smile, and her eyes gleamed with excitement. “When do I get to meet her? Are you going to bring her to Sunday dinner?”

Kieran laughed. “I’ve been out of prison a week, Ma. Don’t you think it’s a little early to be bringing women home?”

“It’s not too early for you two to come over here and steal my breakfast,” she replied. Kane grinned mischievously as he shamelessly started on his second muffin.



Kieran grabbed the last muffin before Kane ate them all. “Actually, Ma, I was going to ask if you could give me some of that tea you used to make when we were younger?”

“Which one? The one for when you were sick?”

“Yeah, Fiona’s little sister is sick. I thought maybe I’d bring some over. She seemed a bit overwhelmed about the whole thing last night,” he admitted, still worried about both Shea’s health and Fiona’s reaction.

“She’s overwhelmed? Who’s taking care of her sister?” Dee inquired further. Kieran knew his mom was the quintessential hover mother, who had no qualms about being nosy when it came to children.

“She is. Fiona’s been her legal guardian since their mother passed away a few years ago, but her sister’s only eight years old and has autism. I’m not sure if Shea’s ever been sick since Fiona’s been caring for her,” Kieran said, realizing there was still so much he didn’t know about this woman, and so much he wanted to learn.

“You didn’t tell me all that about her,” Kane said. “That’s a lot to learn on a date, bro.”

Kieran just shrugged. “She’s worth it.”

“I’m so proud of you, Kieran. Dating a good woman like that, and with a child in the picture.” Dee sounded like she was choking up as she came over and grabbed his face in her hands, kissing both of his cheeks. “You’re such a sweet boy.”

“Ma, come on.” He flushed in embarrassment.

“Let me just finish making this lasagna and put it in the fridge. Then I’ll make the tea, and we’ll go see what we can do for those lovely ladies,” Dee told him as she went back to the pasta dish.



“We?” Kieran asked, his jaw dropping slightly at the word.

“Not a request, mo mhac. I used to be a nurse, once upon a long, long time ago, remember? A child is sick—I can help.”

Kane stifled a laugh, his hand over his mouth, and gave Kieran an amused look.