by Ava Miles
“Good business is common sense most of the time,” their mom said, finally grabbing her seat, which Trevor jumped up to help pull out for her since he was closest. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
Con’s smug stare screamed ass-kisser, and Trevor had to pull his gaze away from his brother or his rage would show on his face.
“What I understand is pretty straightforward,” she said, crossing her hands prayer-style. “From the get-go, Becca O’Neill didn’t want to sell her land. Is that correct?”
When Connor remained silent, Trevor responded, “Yes, Con made the first attempts and then sent me to see if I could persuade her.”
“He persuaded her, all right, only not in our favor,” Con said, his tone insulting.
Trev lunged across the table and grabbed him by the jacket. “Stop talking about my future wife like that. Or me for that matter.”
Their mom was on her feet in an instant. “Stop this! Trevor, I understand you being upset, but let go of your brother. And Con, I’ve heard the kind of language you’ve used to talk about the woman Trevor loves, and it cuts me to the bone.”
“I apologize for that,” his brother said, “but you have to understand. I didn’t know this woman—”
“But you know me,” Trevor interrupted. “You should know I wouldn’t fall for someone unless it was the real thing.”
J.T. cleared his throat before saying, “Perhaps I’m to blame here. My past might have colored the situation. I put this family through hell, and I’m sorry for it.”
Connor stared at him as if waiting to see if Trevor was going to call him out. He thought about it for a second before discarding the idea. He wanted peace, not war, with his brother.
“You’ve apologized enough for that, honey,” their mom said, “and your heart was in the right place. It’s not your fault she threatened this family, but I can see your point. From now on, though, no one in this family is going to second-guess another person’s love interest—unless they have a criminal record or something.”
The joke fell flat.
“Is that clear?”
“As crystal,” Connor said. “Again, I apologize.”
Releasing a long breath, Trevor said, “Apology accepted.”
Connor folded his hands together. “Now if we’re done with the personal side of the stiuation, let’s get to the heart of the matter. Trevor lied to me and Quinn and then went behind our backs to make another deal. I was right to fire him. He was more than unprofessional. He was disloyal.”
Trevor couldn’t hold his tongue. “I’m not saying I went about things in the right way, but I figured you might let up if I found another tract to develop. I hate making this personal, but we’re there. Con, since Corey died, you’ve been running on emotion. You kept talking about keeping Patrick safe and how you’d promised Uncle Liam you wouldn’t put him on an offshore project.”
Tears flashed in his mother’s eyes, and he had to look away.
“You overrode Becca’s two refusals, plus my assessment—as an officer in this company—that not only would she not sell, but that we were going to have problems with her community.”
Quinn tapped the table, and Trevor caught his measure. So, Quinn hadn’t known that last part. He continued, “I want everyone to be safe too, but I was trying to protect Becca while also giving Connor what he wanted. Perhaps not the exact thing, but let’s face it, pursuing onshore drilling in Ireland is bad business and so is canceling all our future offshore business plans due to one accident.” Mom put her hand on Trevor’s arm, almost a warning to be gentle. Like that was going to work.
Connor shot out of his chair. “That one accident killed several of our employees, including my best friend. You were out of line to go around me.”
His throat was thick as he responded honestly, “I was, Con, and I’m sorry. But your grief has twisted you up so much I…didn’t feel like I knew the man I was talking to anymore.”
Shoving his chair back, Connor started to walk out of the room.
“Connor!” their mom called. “Please stop and listen to me.”
He halted but didn’t turn around. Trevor noticed Caitlyn was silently crying at the end of the table, and he reached inside his pants pocket and passed down a Waterford handkerchief from Aunt Clara. She blew her nose, and the sound echoed throughout the room.
“Connor, I talked to Olivia about this before my plane left,” their mom continued. “She knew I was upset after Caitlyn called me. I felt it was right to tell her. She wanted me to tell you Corey would never have wanted you to change the way the company operates. He knew the risks. Everyone does. They’d talked enough about it, especially after having Max and Joseph.”
Trevor’s throat clogged as an image flashed into his head of Corey wearing a red hard hat with Merriam Oil & Gas on it. Corey had said his next post was going to be back in San Francisco, working in their renewable energy department, something he believed was the way of the future. How sad that wish wouldn’t come to pass.
“Honey, I know you miss him,” his mom continued. “We all do to our core, but a decision that has such big implications for the company should go to the board.”
Trevor heard J.T.’s sigh gust out. Quinn lowered his head. Mom had a way of cutting through the crap, as she liked to say. But this kind of truth telling always hurt.
“If Patrick still wants to head up a project,” she said, “he knows the risk too. I understand your promise to Uncle Liam, but I’m not sure he wants it. Did he ask it of you?”
Connor remained quiet.
“My brother worked with your father on engineering projects around the world before retiring. He understands the dangers of the work, but being a parent, of course, he wouldn’t want another child to die. No parent does.”
She rose and walked to where Connor stood, his entire body as cold and unmoving as a block of ice. She put her hand on his back and rubbed it, something Trevor remembered her doing when Connor had come home from school angry that he’d gotten an A- on a test. She’d always said he was so hard on himself, and Trevor still didn’t fully understand why.
“Con,” Mom said softly. “I know you’re hurting, but striking out at your brothers and sisters isn’t the way. Pushing this woman to sell her land when she clearly doesn’t want to isn’t the way. Perhaps it’s my fault for naming you Connor. You remember it means strong-willed in Irish, don’t you? Even in the womb, you always wanted your way, if the amount of times you kicked me was any indication.” She laughed, but the sound was forced.
His oldest brother sure as hell was living up to his name, wasn’t he? But Quinn sure as hell wasn’t . His name meant wise and reasonable. Mom had named them all intentionally since she’d been named after a Catholic feast day, something she’d always bemoaned. J.T.’s first name was Julian, and the youthful attribution had always seemed fitting for his idealistic twin. It also alluded to a clan of Roman emperors, which J.T. thought serendipitous given he’d lived in Rome for a decade before moving to Dare Valley. Flynn meant the son of the red-haired one, and their mother had indeed been a redhead before going gray. Caitlyn’s name couldn’t be more apt; she was pure of heart. And Michaela was the feminine of Michael, which meant gift of God, which was how his mother had characterized getting pregnant for the sixth time with such a beautiful girl.
Trevor’s name had always seemed to fit. Prudent in business he was, but now he remembered it also meant a large farm or estate. Chills touched his spine. Had his mother known on some weird Irish level that he would come to live with Becca on her land one day? He was oddly touched by the thought.
“Please, Connor. Come sit back down. I know this isn’t easy, but walking out won’t fix anything.”
The way her voice wavered made Trevor cough. She was usually so strong.
“Don’t make me tie you to your chair,” she said, poking him teasingly. “Please, Con. I know you’re upset, but do this for me. Come sit back down so we can sort things out.”
He straighte
ned to his full height. Then he walked back to his chair and sat down. Mom did the same, reaching for Trevor’s hand and then Connor’s, which he reluctantly gave her. Man, she wasn’t going to make them hold hands, was she? Trevor squirmed in his seat.
“Now let’s talk about this firing and resignation,” she said. “Does anyone want to undo that?”
He waited for Connor to speak.
“I want to apologize,” J.T. said. “I helped Trevor because I agreed with him regarding the situation and wanted to help—and because he’s never gone apeshit over a girl like this.”
Their mom’s mouth tipped up in a lopsided smile. “Thank you for saying that, J.T.”
“I’m sorry for everything too,” Caitlyn said, “but I don’t like the thought of pressuring people who turn us down on Merriam business. It’s not how I want us to do business.”
“I agree,” Flynn said. “And I’m apologizing too.”
“Con, I know you’re still mad,” Caitlyn said, “but you need to know how important this is to Trevor.”
Trevor glanced her way, and her mouth tipped up into a half-smile that mirrored their mom’s.
“He looks at Becca the way Dad looks at Mom,” she said roughly. “Maybe if you’d seen that, you wouldn’t have… Never mind. For that, I’d do anything to help him.”
Connor didn’t say anything, but Quinn’s gaze had turned downright studious.
“Now I really can’t wait to meet Becca,” Mom said. “All right, let’s talk some more about Flynn and Caitlyn. Are you really going to fire them too, Con? Sorry to pick on you, kid, but you’re not saying much here.”
“I need to know I can trust them moving forward,” Connor said after a moment of silence. “I need to know something like this won’t happen again.”
“Back at you, Con,” Caitlyn said. “Are you going to stop being a dick? Because I’m retaining my right to call you on it.”
His jaw ticked before he said, “I’ll try to keep my dick-factor to a minimum from now on. All right, I apologize for acting rashly regarding Flynn’s and your involvement, but I hope you can see my side.”
“I do,” Caitlyn said, pushing back from her chair and coming over to where he was sitting. She kneeled down next to him. “I know you miss Corey like crazy, more than any of us probably, but how are we supposed to reach you if you won’t talk to us? It scares me how you shut down, Con. It always has.”
He swallowed thickly before tracing her cheek. “I’m sorry, Caity girl.”
She pushed him in the chest. “You know I hate that name, Connor Bomber.”
Trevor was glad Caitlyn had found a way to lighten the mood in the room with childhood nicknames because they all sure as hell needed a break. The makings of a smile finally touched Connor’s mouth, and Trevor knew the worst was behind them. He breathed a sigh of relief, and his twin elbowed him as if to agree.
“We good?” Flynn asked, standing and holding out his hand.
Connor rose and took his hand. “Yeah.”
“Great, then to make up for all my emotional turmoil, I’m going to need a hundred million for a new project I have in mind,” Flynn said, making them all laugh, including Connor, although his was more of a chuckle.
“New ideas still go through me,” Quinn said, leaning back in his chair, his mouth twitching. “But I admire your pluck.”
Flynn shrugged. “I had to give it a shot. Although to be honest, I plan on investing in Becca’s new enterprise with my own money. You should hear her talk business. She’s going to fit in perfectly with this family.”
Quinn lifted his chin in Trevor’s direction, and it was a peace offering. He lifted his chin in response.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from Trev,” Quinn said. “I mean J.T. found Caroline, and she likes to gush about paintings and shit. It must be a twin thing.”
And it was Quinn’s way of telling Trevor he approved of Becca.
J.T. put his arm around Trevor’s shoulder and jostled him. “You’re just jealous of our crazy bond. Have been since we were born.”
“I wouldn’t have shared a womb with anyone, man,” Quinn responded.
“No one would have shared one with you anyway,” Caitlyn said, standing and hugging him from behind. “You always kick when you sleep.”
“It was one time,” he protested, throwing up his hands. “She never forgets anything.”
“Oh, and Quinnie boy,” Caitlyn said as she resumed her seat. “I plan on asking for a hundred million for the new project I’ve been working on too.”
He shook his head. “So long as you have a report and a convincing investment presentation, I’ll consider it.”
She flashed a smile. “Soon. It’s going to rock your socks.”
“She’s not lying, Quinn,” Trevor said. And then, because it was past time for him and Connor to speak directly to each other, he turned to his brother and said, “Connor, I need to hear from you directly that you won’t go after Becca’s land. If you still want me out, that’s your call.”
“If Ms. O’Neill doesn’t want to sell, that’s her right.” Connor crossed his arms. “As for firing you… Do you plan on going around me again?”
Trevor wanted to grind his teeth. “You planning on not listening to me again?”
Their mother cleared her throat, and Trevor knew it was a warning to play nice. Tell that to Connor.
“I was out of line, and I apologize,” his older brother said, his eyes like cold steel. “It would be a shame for the company to lose your skills over this.”
“Oh, Connor, talk like a normal human being,” Caitlyn said, slapping him on the shoulder. “He’s still a Merriam employee and you love him like a brother, right?”
Leave it to Caitlyn.
“Yes to both,” Connor said, although his mouth was still tight. “Good enough?”
That was the best he could expect from him. Trevor extended his hand, and Connor took it. “Yeah, we’re good.”
“Whew! That’s a relief.” Caitlyn hugged her mom. “How did you handle all of us growing up, Mom?”
“Day by day, honey,” her mom said, shaking her head in bemusement.
“So when are we going to meet Becca?” J.T. asked.
Trevor thought about the way she’d forced herself to walk out of the closet this morning, one excruciating step at a time. She didn’t just make him happy. She inspired the hell out of him. They’d had breakfast in her sitting room, and he’d kissed her goodbye before going downstairs to collect his mom. She’d been knitting the remainder of Hargreaves’ scarf when he’d left. “Let me talk to her first. I know she’s eager to meet you all too.”
“Trev, I’m sorry about the helicopter and all that,” Quinn said. “If I’d known about her condition, I’d have never—”
“I know,” he said, his mind flashing to that moment. “I’m having it towed today. Didn’t see another way.”
His brother laughed. “I call that an innovative solution. May be the first time a helicopter’s ever been towed. Can I ask how she is?”
He wondered how much he should share. Becca was a private person, and he respected that. “Better. She’s tough, as tough as Mom here, if not more so.”
“It’s not possible,” J.T. said, standing and coming over and putting his hands on their mom’s shoulders. “No one is tougher than our mother. Except Rocky Balboa maybe.”
“Rocky Balboa isn’t in my league, kiddo,” their mom said, standing and leaning against J.T. affectionately. “All right, any last words?”
She’d always asked that same question after refereeing one of their fights when they were kids. Like she’d done in the past, she looked at each of them in turn, almost like she was framing them in a camera for a picture.
“I need some scones,” Caitlyn said when Mom reached her.
“We’ll get you some stat,” Mom said. “Flynn?”
“I need a steak, medium rare, with beurre blanc sauce, and some really good bread and butter.” Their brother rub
bed his stomach for emphasis.
“I see where we’re going here,” Mom said. “J.T.?”
His smile was fast. “Nothing, except thanks for being our mom.”
She teared up at that. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I didn’t cause WWIII by coming here, but I decided I couldn’t sit this one out. I love you all too much. Okay, Trev?”
He reached for her hand. “What J.T. said. Oh, and Con, I won’t be able to travel as much for work, what with Becca and all. I’ll want to spend more time at home with her.”
“We’ll talk,” Con said, not missing a beat.
“Plus, Buttercup would pine away without him,” Caitlyn said, laughing.
“Buttercup, huh? I can’t wait to meet this mythical animal capable of making my brave son run across the yard.” Their mom threw her head back and laughed. “I confess I watched that over and over again when I needed some cheering up.”
It was the first mention of her own grief, and Trevor leaned in and hugged her. She gripped him tightly before pushing back and slapping him playfully. “Okay, if we’re all good, I could use a steak too. Anyone know where we could find one at this time of day?”
Trevor eyed his watch, noting it was close to noon. “I don’t know about the pub in town, but we could check it out. Or I can see what Chef Padraig has for lunch at The Wild Irish Rose. Quinn? Connor? You plan on staying there with the rest of us? I can call Aileen and set it up.”
He’d checked on their availability when he’d made the arrangements for his mom and J.T. Becca had told him she was okay with having Connor and Quinn stay at the inn as guests so long as they worked things out.