Saving a Legend(7)

“I never lie!” Dee waltzed into the room behind them and wrapped an arm around his waist, confirming she had been the one to chat him up. “All of my sons are the absolute best. And mo neacht, my niece, of course.” Dee winked at Casey, who had followed her into the dining room.

“Can’t argue with you there.” Clare glanced over at Rory, who took it as an invitation to cover her lips with his in a very public, very affectionate display. It was both too much and perfect at the same time. Kieran had to avert his gaze not to feel like he was imposing on a private moment.

A pang of jealousy sliced through him as he wondered if he would have that with someone one day. It had been a long and lonely two years without women, which he’d thought would make him just want a woman to take the edge off. However, seeing what his brother had made him want an actual relationship instead. He wanted someone to be there for him, to look at him the way Clare looked at Rory, and that meant a random hookup wouldn’t do.



An image of the pretty florist darted through his mind, but he pushed it away.

“There they go again.” Casey giggled. “Kieran, help me bring everything to the table. You don’t want to be around those lovebirds long or you won’t be able to eat.”

He followed her, grabbing a basket of rolls and a dish of butter from the kitchen to bring back to the dining room. Even the dog seemed uninterested in watching his owner’s affections and followed Kieran instead.

“Kieran.” His father’s tone as he approached was gruff and unforgiving. Seamus Kavanagh was now sporting more salt-and-pepper than his once jet-black hair. Like his mother, his father had definitely aged in the last two years while Kieran had been away. Another wave of guilt hit him, because he’d spent so many years wrapped up in his own life that he hadn’t paid attention to the grief he’d caused his family.

“Dad.” The men stared at each other for a moment before moving into a stiff embrace. “It’s good to see you.”

His father grunted in response, and Kieran dropped his eyes to the floor, feeling self-conscious. He knew his father was disappointed in him, angry at what he had made of his life. Or what he hadn’t made of his life. It seemed neither one of them knew what to say.

“Hey, bro!” Quinn stepped around their father and was the next to hug him. Their exchange was much more natural than the stagnant awkwardness between him and his father.

A few minutes later, every dish was on the dining room table, and the place settings were perfectly arranged. The entire family filtered in, and Kieran took a seat on the left side, smack dab in the middle.



Casey, Kane, and Jimmy took the seats next to him, and Rory and Clare sat opposite with Quinn; their parents took either end. Ace lay sprawled out under the table.

“Kieran, can you say grace?” Dee reached her hands out to Casey and Quinn, who were on either side of her.

He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “Uh, maybe someone else should?”

“I’ll do it,” Rory spoke up. Kieran glared at his brother for a second before taking a deep breath and bowing his head, wishing he’d just said the prayer rather than giving his brother the honors.

When Rory finished praying, everyone piled plates high and dug into the food. Kieran loved his mom’s cooking, and as a kid his friends couldn’t wait to stop by his house because they knew she always had some tasty treat waiting for them. The meal was even better than he’d remembered.

“Ma, this is delicious.” Kieran scooped another forkful of lasagna into his mouth.

“I’m so glad you like it,” she responded with a relieved smile. He wondered if she’d felt nervous cooking for him for the first time since he’d been away. He hadn’t really considered that others might be feeling just as nervous as he was about the family reunion    .

“Didn’t have food like this in prison, huh?” Quinn asked, always the instigator.

Kieran shook his head, ignoring the provocation.

“So you find a job yet?” Seamus asked gruffly from the top of the table, casting sidelong glances at Kieran.



“Not yet. Filled out a few applications yesterday, made a few calls. I still have plenty of savings, so it’s not really an emergency. Just need something to tell my parole officer.”

“Rory, why not have Kieran help you down at the clinic? Don’t you need help with the construction?” Dee interjected.

Rory began in protest, “Ma, I don’t think—”

“I can find a job, Ma. I meet with my PO in the morning, and I’m sure he’ll know where to point me.”

“But in the meantime, you need something. Even if the guy gives you some leads, it might be a while before one of them actually comes through.” Dee turned back to Rory. “What’s the harm in hiring your brother for a few days, Rory?”