“Your grandfather is Jack?” Morgan asked.
“Yep. How did you know?”
“My grandfather speaks highly of him. He’s the one who suggested I stop by.”
“Then you are doubly welcome.Fáilte,” Riley said, welcoming Morgan in Irish.
“Go raibh maith agat,” Morgan replied in thanks, the lilt sliding smoothly over her lips.
“You speak Irish.”
“Not really,” Morgan said without expounding.
Riley tilted her head toward Patrick and leaned toward Morgan. “Is this guy bothering you?”
“Not yet.”
Riley laughed. “Give it time.”
“Hey,” Patrick protested, but he was smiling too.
“Are you two… together?” Morgan asked carefully, looking from one to the other.
“Since birth,” Riley said with amusement.
“Siblings?”
“Cousins.”
“Ah.” Was he imagining it, or did Morgan seem relieved by Riley’s answer?
“Your order,” Patrick said, sliding the now-filled tray back to Riley.
“Right. Well, Morgan, if you need anything while you're in town—recommendations, someone to show you around—I'm available. Patrick is too, I guess, though he's less reliable.”
Riley went, taking her time about it. Morgan watched her go with a thoughtful expression he hadn't quite catalogued yet.
“Your cousin is interesting,” Morgan said.
“Nosy, you mean.”
“I was going to say protective, but that works too.”
“Are you okay hanging out for a bit? I’ve got an hour left in my shift. Then we can talk.”
She glanced at her watch. “We’ll see.”
A large group came in all at once, and from one minute to the next, the line at the bar was three deep. When things settled, Morgan was no longer where she was.
Patrick scanned the room and found her near the fireplace, in conversation with his grandfather.
The Callaghan patriarch was leaning slightly toward Morgan with the focused interest he gave people he found worth talking to.
And Morgan looked…relaxed. Not the managed composure she usually wore, but actually relaxed. Her hands were loose around her glass, her shoulders settled, and she was giving Jack her undivided attention.
Patrick watched for a moment longer than he should have, vaguely aware of something shifting in his chest.
Then he went back to work.