“Ah gods.” Tarryn cast her eyes to the heavens. “Kiss the girl, for feck’s sake, you great eejit.”
“So I will.”
He swept her right off her feet so she felt like the heroine in every romance novel she’d ever read. Then the world spun and spun when his mouth took hers.
“Well done,” his mother approved. “And now, Breen, I bid you goodbye until the next.” She cupped Breen’s flushed cheeks in her hands, kissed her lightly.
“You’re leaving?”
“It’s time.”
“Deaglan and Bria wait at the farm with their dragons to take you back.” Keegan enfolded his mother. “Aisling will curse me for taking you away.”
“She knows better. And we have the fire and the mirror until I come next to visit.”
“Be safe, and you, Minga,” Breen added. “Tell Kiara hello for me.”
“I will.”
“I’ll ride with you to see you off.” Marg gave Breen’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She stood with Keegan as they mounted, and watched cloaks fly as the three women set off at a gallop.
Bollocks raced behind them, barking his goodbyes. Then ran back again.
“I didn’t know you were coming, or they were going.”
“I hoped yesterday, even the day before, but it all took longer. There were… circumstances.”
“You don’t have to explain.”
He let out a sound of frustration. “How am I to know this in here?” He tapped a finger on the side of her head. “To know what to explain and what not?”
She just smiled. “Why don’t I just say I’m really happy to see you? Then you can kiss me again.”
“That’ll do fine.”
He lifted her again, and she locked her arms around his neck as their mouths met.
Then, with his brow against hers, he held her a bit longer.
“Have you had time here with your father?”
“Yes, before we went in. It’s clean, Keegan. Sad still, but clean. Do you want to walk through, or take time with your father and mine?”
“Not today.” He glanced over, beyond the road, beyond the field, to the cottage.
“Oh. The Connellys. You need to go to them.”
“I’ve been, before coming here. They said you went with my mother. They’re grateful. As I am.”
He eased back.
“Will you walk awhile? I’ve been in the saddle long enough for now.”
“I’d like to walk.” She gave Bollocks a pat on the head. “We’d like a walk.”
They went to the horses, gathered the reins, and began to walk away from the stones.