by Ava Miles
Caitlyn took a few steps inside and seemed to bounce on the stone floor as she looked around. Her dress was a wild plum color and fell over her lean body like a second skin.
She clasped her hands and turned in a circle. “Oh, I love this place! Are you Becca?”
“How did you—”
“Trevor told me about you,” she said, reaching a hand out and rubbing Becca’s shoulder.
The touch was friendly, and Becca stood there in shock. What had Trevor told his sister? Had he spoken about her to the rest of his family?
“I can’t wait to see Buttercup,” she said, grinning now. “The video Aunt Clara took had all of us in stitches. I mean, if anyone was going to have a lovesick alpaca stalk him, it would be Trevor. He likes to think he’s all tough and manly, but really, he’s a sweetheart.”
Becca had concluded the same thing, but she wasn’t sure she should say so. “Do you live in Dublin too?”
“Not on your life. It’s a great town, but not my style. I live in the Big Apple, like Flynn—another brother—and I go back and forth between New York and L.A., but I sneak off to Paris every chance I get. It’s the best city in the world in my opinion.”
She’d always wanted to visit Paris. Weave through the Louvre and marvel at the masterpieces. Meander along the side streets and across all those amazing bridges. Oh, to visit such a city. Maybe it would be possible with Dr. Poread’s help. “Does everyone in your family like to travel, then?”
“Yes, mostly,” she said. “Except Connor. He holes up at headquarters and rarely takes a night off. Hell, the man even sleeps there from time to time. He needs to get a life.”
She couldn’t agree more. “Are you planning on staying with us?”
“Yeah, I was hoping to. Flew to Cork City from Paris. It was a breeze. Rented a small little car to make sure I didn’t get stuck. One time Trevor rented us a mid-size car in Spain, and we went down this street no bigger than an alley and got pinned between the walls. It took three hours to get us unwedged. Talk about awful. Have you ever been in the car for that much time with two of your knuckleheaded brothers?”
She didn’t have any brothers, so she only shook her head.
“It’s no picnic, let me tell you. J.T. is as bad as Trevor sometimes, and that’s karma or something since they’re twins. Man, are those scones I smell? Good heavens, I’m starving. Did I miss lunch? I read your restaurant closes at two, and I’m a little late.”
Good heavens, the woman could talk. “I’m sure we can scare up a sandwich and some scones. Your brother is fond of them.”
“He can eat,” Caitlyn said, laughing. “Heck, we all can. So where is the moron?”
Should she say? “You might check his room. He’s in our Oisin and Niamh suite.”
“God bless you,” Caitlyn said, sputtering laughter like a car backfiring. “Sorry, bad joke. That was a mouthful.”
“It’s an Irish myth,” she said, trying not to laugh herself. “About ill-fated love.”
Caitlyn waved a hand. “I don’t believe in stuff like that. Only happily ever afters for me. I mean, I can binge-watch chick flicks like nobody’s business. It drives my siblings insane, even my sister, Michaela. She’s more into the Nature Channel than romantic comedies. So what room can you put me up in? I’m hoping to stay a few days unless Trev kicks me out.”
“Ah, let me think. You probably don’t want to stay in the Tristan and Isolde suite.”
“Another pair of unhappy lovers? I think I saw the movie. James Franco was the hero, right? It was awful.”
She’d thought the same. “I preferred him in Milk. We have a vacancy as of this morning in the Diarmuid and Grainne suite. It’s not ready for occupancy yet, but I can put a rush on it.”
“Did they have a happy romance?” Caitlyn asked, her green eyes dancing. “Because I just can’t stay in a depressing room. It’s bad energy, you know.”
She didn’t and refrained from disagreeing. “Yes, they lived happily in County Sligo— after some travails, of course.”
“Then sign me up,” Caitlyn said. “Okay, if you’ll point me in the right direction, I’ll go see what my bro is up to. Oh, you beautiful creature. Come to mama.”
Becca looked over her shoulder to see Boru prancing madly toward the woman. He gave a woof as she knelt down and hugged him.
“You like dogs,” Becca said, smiling easily now.
“I love dogs,” she said, making baby faces at the animal. “Mom wouldn’t let us have pets growing up. Too many kids, she said. But I was crazy about my friends’ pets, so I wasn’t scarred for life.”
“You’re funny,” Becca said, making Caitlyn glance up at her. “I mean, your brother is too, but he’s—”
“Got a stick up his butt sometimes,” she said, keeping a hand on Boru’s neck as she rose to her feet. “Trust me, it’s not even close to the big one Connor is sporting, and Quinn… Well, he’s working on giving Con a run for his money in the stick department.”
Good heavens. “I’ll show you to Trevor’s room and then find you some lunch.”
Suddenly the woman was hugging her, and she stood stiffly, not used to such mad displays of affection.
“Oh, I’m so happy to meet you,” Caitlyn said, leaning back and jostling her a little. “Okay, I’m backing off. I sometimes get a little carried away, but personally I like that about me. I mean if we can’t be excited about life and express it, what the hell are we here for?”
The woman’s enthusiasm was contagious. Becca had the urge to punch her fist in the air and say hear, hear, but since she was on duty, she contained it. “Caitlyn, I know all of you work in the family business. What is your area, if you don’t mind my asking?”
She stretched out her arms. “I do fashion and skincare right now, but I’m in expansion mode. I’m looking into perfume. Like I was telling Trev, the market is insane. Okay, I’ll talk your ear off if you don’t point me in the right direction. Plus, my stomach is grumbling so loud I’m afraid they’ll hear it in the next town.”
“This way.”
Caitlyn linked their arms as they walked—a charming and completely unaffected gesture. This was Trevor’s sister? After talking to his brother, Connor, it was hard to imagine. Thank God all the Merriams didn’t have sticks up their arses, like the woman had said. When they reached the hallway, Becca wondered if she should just point out Trevor’s suite and leave Caitlyn to go the rest of the way.
“My God, I just love what you have going on here,” the woman said, her head turning from side to side as if to take it all in. “Did you use an Irish decorator?”
“I did it all myself,” she said, heat staining her cheeks.
Caitlyn stopped short. “You’re kidding! Wow! You’re mega talented. I mean Trev said… Oops, I’m shutting up now. My mouth needs a zipper, I swear.”
What had Trevor told her? At the door, she felt nerves start to creep in. “I’ll leave you two to catch up.”
Caitlyn locked their arms, making it impossible for her to move. “Don’t be silly.” She pounded on the door, the sound reverberating across Becca’s chest. “Open up, moron!”
Becca wanted to sink into the floor. Thank God, the other guests in this section of the inn were out.
The door sprung open, and Trevor stood there, his face blank. “You’re kidding me! Go away, brat.”
She launched herself at him. “Never. You’re stuck with me forever.”
He grunted and bear-hugged her. When Caitlyn started kissing his cheeks, he angled his head away. “Cut that out. Jesus, you’re like a puppy sometimes.”
“I just love you,” the woman said, finally stepping back. “And Becca is awesome. Hell, this whole place is awesome. Your woman has mad skills, bro.”
His woman? Becca’s eyes flashed to Trevor’s. He cocked his head as if daring her to disagree. “Excuse my sister. She’s crazy but loveable. Like a Chihuahua.”
“Please,” Caitlyn said. “More like a Siberian husky.”
&nbs
p; “In your dreams,” Trevor said. “Well, are you going to come in or what?”
Caitlyn struck a pose. “Yep. Becca, can you hang with us for while?”
Hang? Oh, my. “I should find you something to eat, and I was working on the accounts.”
“Working woman,” Caitlyn said, holding her fist out. “I’m with ya, girl.”
Becca eyed the fist.
“She wants you to fist-bump her,” Trevor said, his mouth twitching. “Like this.”
The siblings demonstrated the move, and then Becca held her fist out to replicate it. Caitlyn mashed her knuckles eagerly, and Becca had to refrain from massaging her hand.
“Go on,” Trevor said, putting his hand on her back and giving it a brief caress. “I’ll take care of this crazy woman.”
“Crazy woman? I’ll have you know—”
Trevor pulled his sister inside and shut the door. Becca simply stood there, hearing Caitlyn’s animated chatter but not the words. The woman was a tempest in a teapot, for sure, but Becca liked her. What a relief. While she hadn’t asked much about his family, she’d feared the rest of his siblings might be like Connor. She shivered at the thought of that man. He was someone to fear. The kind of man you didn’t want as an opponent. She’d known it over the phone. Taking off toward the stairs, she realized Caitlyn showing up was significant.
Someone in Trevor’s family had wanted to meet her, and that meant they were in serious waters for sure.
Chapter 25
Trevor deposited Caitlyn in the closest chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Are you out of your mind coming here?” he asked.
She grinned without contrition. “Are you kidding? I had to come after you told me you’d found your dream girl. Besides, I had another good reason.” She took an envelope out of her purse and handed it to him. “I think we have the green dye you want, from spinach leaves, no less, but I need some of Becca’s wool to make sure. The dye will absorb and set differently depending on the type of wool that’s used.”
“I read that too, but got…carried away here.” He opened the envelope and studied the dyed green wool, the shade of St. Patrick’s Day if you asked him. “I like the green. Let’s hope she does. Thank you.”
“You’re so going to pay for dinner tonight.”
Like she didn’t have her own money. “Hell, I’ll pay for your entire stay here if you have the right dye.”
She kicked back in the chair and crossed her ankles. “Aren’t I a genius?”
“You’re a brat,” he said, throwing the envelope onto the sofa. “But I love you.”
“Becca’s wonderful from what I saw, Trev.” Pressing her hand to her heart, Caitlyn grinned. “I mean, you found a good one on the first try. After J.T.’s colossal screw-up with Sin City, I was afraid you might follow the same pattern. Thank God, you have better sense.”
“Don’t tell J.T. that.” He dropped down into a seat next to her. “So you came here to check her out?”
“Damn skippy. I wasn’t going to let another one of my brothers screw up his life.”
He kicked at her feet playfully, and she stuck her tongue out at him. “You’re a total sweetheart when you’re not acting nutso.”
“I blame it on the chemicals we use in our skincare lab. I’m probably inhaling particles that change my brain matter.”
Trevor laughed. “Our products are all organic, moron.”
“That’s your name.” She swung her leg playfully. “Oh, I like it here. There’s something magical about this place. Did you know she decorated it all herself?” Suddenly she popped up and headed for the window. “These curtains. My God, I love the color and the fabric. Knotted velvet drapes are serious business.”
He loved when she got like this. “You know you have more crazy facts rolling around in that brain of yours than should be legal.”
“Please! You’re thinking about Connor and Michaela. They’re like alien fact babies. Okay, now, tell me everything. How did you find this place? Did you suggest it to Uncle Arthur and Aunt Clara and then come up yourself?”
She hadn’t put their offshore operation in Cork together with this place, but why would she? Connor hadn’t brought it to the board, which Caitlyn sat on, and he wouldn’t have called her to bitch about Trevor’s lack of progress. His stomach sunk. Shit. Leave it to Caitlyn, Ms. Spontaneous, to throw him off. Should he tell her the rest of the story? Hell, he’d told her about Becca, and that bespoke serious trust. But his decision to balk Connor’s will was different. Even if she agreed with him, he didn’t want to put her in a tough situation with the rest of the family.
“Let’s leave it for another time,” Trevor said. “What do you want to drink? I imagine Becca will send something up, but I’ve got a mini-bar and—”
“What aren’t you telling me?” Caitlyn asked, coming over and gripping his arm. “Are you here on business? We have holdings in Cork, right?”
He looked away. Double shit. She was too sharp by far.
“Oh, my God. You are! I thought it was weird you were staying here and not in Dublin. Okay, you’d better tell me.”
“Will you settle down? Jesus, Caitlyn. I’m trying to keep you out of a potentially awkward situation. Why won’t you let me?”
“Because I know you, and when you get that constipated look on your face something is super wrong. What is it?”
Constipated look? “It’s a big deal, Caitlyn. Only J.T. knows. I’ll tell you if you insist, but be sure you want to know and can keep quiet about it.”
“Does it concern Becca?” she asked, her dark brows furrowing.
“Yeah,” he said, feeling that familiar sickness he experienced whenever he thought about Connor wanting her land. “Yeah, it does.”
She socked him in the chest. “Well, tell me, you idiot. I love that woman because you do.”
“I do love her, which is why I’m taking a stand against Connor for the first time in my life.”
Caitlyn’s eyes widened. “You’d better start at the beginning.”
And so he did. For once, his sister kept her mouth shut until he finished, but he noted her mouth was getting progressively more scrunched as he spoke. When he got to the part about Corey, and how Connor was determined this new operation would be on land, she turned her head away and wiped at her eyes.
“This whole thing is horrible, Trev,” she said when he finished, sitting down with a thunk. “Colossally horrible.”
“Yeah.” He hung his head. “What’s worse is that I can’t find another property that’s anywhere near as good as Becca’s.”
“So what? You tell Connor you couldn’t make the deal. She doesn’t want to sell. Case closed.”
“I already tried that.” He shook his head. “Connor isn’t himself, Caitlyn. He won’t back down, and he threatened to send Quinn if I can’t secure the deal.”
“What? That’s not his job.”
“Exactly. Heck, I haven’t let myself say the words, but I’m afraid they’ll find a way to force her out.”
She tapped her thigh with a fingernail, clearly thinking. “You’ve done it before.”
Shrugging, he said, “Oil and gas is a dirty business. It was all legal, and everyone was well compensated.” But not always ethical, he could admit now. Some people hadn’t wanted to sell at first, sure, so they’d bought up the surrounding land and raised property taxes. Yeah, it had taken longer, but it had worked in the end. Developers did it all the time. The march of progress and all that…
“How can I help? Do you want me to talk to Connor? He should have run this through the board, and we all should have voted.”
He agreed, and yet… “Con would eat you alive, especially since you don’t work in his part of the business.”
“But I’m on the board, and I’d do anything for you,” she said, touching his arm. “I saw your face when you opened the door. You look at Becca like Dad looks at Mom. It made me…all emotional.”
Hell, did she have to turn into
a mush ball on him? “I love you bunches for saying you’d brave the lion, but no, I’m going to figure out another way with J.T.”
“What if you tell Con how you feel about Becca?” she asked.
He snorted. “When have you ever known him to be sentimental? Besides, I’m afraid he’ll call me a bunch of names and still send Quinn in.”
“I see your point. Okay, I don’t know diddly about this side of the business, but I’m a fast learner. Put me to work.”
He pulled her out of her chair and into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him, nestling close. Yeah, she was a total sweetheart.
“Stick to what you do best. Now, tell me more about the green dye. Did you use a salt or vinegar fixative?”
Caitlyn dropped back into her chair. “Who are you and where did you put my brother?”
He couldn’t help but laugh as he sat back down. She was right—this was a conversation he’d never imagined they would have. “A man can expand his knowledge, can’t he?”
She didn’t say anything, only grinned at him.
“You’re an imp.”
“And you’re a moron.”
“I’m glad you came.” It was time to admit it.
She made a delighted sound. “’Bout time you said so. Now, about the green dyes we tested…”
And as she walked him through their experiments, he basked in the comfort of having another ally.
Chapter 26
Becca ran around the rest of the afternoon in a state of happy tension.
She’d seen Trevor and Caitlyn walking the grounds from the back windows, and while her heart had longed to join them, she’d enjoyed hearing their laughter drift in on the breeze. When she saw Aileen rush toward them, almost skipping in her exuberance, she’d pressed her hand over her mouth to keep from calling out to them. Caitlyn embraced the older woman, of course, and they hastened into the old kitchen together.
Hurt clogged her throat, the earlier happiness receding. Why was Aileen taking them to the dyeing baths? Becca wanted to be the one to explain everything. Had Trevor thought her too busy? Was Caitlyn too eager to wait?