“It’s just she started crying again when Donal and I loaded her things into the lorry, and she clung to me as if I were going off to war. Which I am, I suppose, but she doesn’t know. I swear she’s turned a blind eye to what three of my closest friends are about all these years, and now is only somewhat concerned that Connor and I are having sex outside Holy Matrimony.”
Though he couldn’t help the smile, Fin rubbed her back. “It sounds like a very full day for you.”
“Ending with me booting my own mother out of her home.”
“You did no such thing. You helped her break a chain that’s kept her locked here when she’ll be happier in a house filled with family. I’ll wager she’ll thank you for it before the year’s out. Here now, dubheasa, dry your eyes.”
He stepped back, patted his pockets, then pulled out a handkerchief swirling with color, and made her laugh.
“What’s all this?”
“Always a rainbow after the storm.” Then plucked an enormous and bright pink daisy from her hair. “And flowers from the rain.”
“You’d make a fecking fortune at birthday parties.”
“I’ll keep that for backup.”
“And I’m a complete git.”
“Not at all.” He gave her another hug. “Only a half a git at best.”
He caught Branna’s eye over Meara’s head. And the smile she sent him stabbed straight into his heart.
* * *
SHE DRANK HER TEA, ATE THREE OF BRANNA’S LEMON biscuits, and though she knew next to nothing of writing spells and making potions, did her best to help.
She ground herbs using mortar and pestle—sage, fleabane, rosemary for banishing. She measured out the dust of a crushed black fluorite crystal, snipped lengths of copper twine, marking all amounts precisely in Branna’s journal.
By the time Connor arrived, with Iona and Boyle with him, all the ingredients Branna and Fin had chosen were ready.
“We’ve failed twice with this today,” Branna told them, “so we’ll hope it’s true third time’s the charm. Plus we’ve had Meara’s hand in it this time, and that’s for luck.”
“An apprentice witch are you?” Connor nipped her in for a kiss.
“Hardly, but I can grind and measure.”
“Did you see your mother on her way?”
“I did, and mopped her up after she cried her buckets. Then came here where Fin mopped me up in turn.”
“Be happy.” This time Connor kissed her forehead. “For she will be.”
“I’m closer to believing it as Donal texted me not an hour ago to say Maureen’s family gave her a queen’s welcome, with streamers and flowers, cake and even champagne. I can be a little shamed for not thinking Maureen had it in her to make the fuss, but I’ll get past that the first time she pisses me off. Donal says she’s giddy as a girl—Ma, not Maureen, so that’s a cloud gone from over my head.”
“We’ll go up and take her out to dinner once we can get away easy.”
A good heart, her mother had said. And a kind nature.
“You’d be taking a chance as you’re having sex with her daughter outside Holy Matrimony.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain later. I think Branna wants your blood.”
“From all,” Branna countered. “As we took from all for the spell before the solstice.”
“It didn’t finish it.” Boyle frowned at the bowl as Branna carefully added ingredients. “Why should this?”