First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

They spent several hours at the house, moving from room to room, discovering sections that Lexi didn’t remember quite as well. They explored the ten secluded acres – including the orchard – barely recognizable now – and the creek, whose path had surprisingly changed very little. They found a few outbuildings, too, including a cold cellar with its own still-flowing spring, and a smokehouse. Even with the poor shape the house and grounds were in, the small estate had tremendous value.

Jack, a man of very few words, said little, finding enjoyment in the beautiful afternoon and the pleasure of Lexi’s company. He stayed close, watching as Lexi went from room to room, her face filled with wonder. Damn if it didn’t do his old heart good to see her smile again. In all his years, he’d never come across a lonelier soul, or a woman who deserved it less. Even after all this time, the look in her eyes the day he’d driven her out of town still haunted him.

It was therefore with much sadness that he saw Lexi’s unfortunate, necessary return to reality as the sun began to set. They sat together on the southernmost border, on a small ledge that overlooked the entire valley, now bathed in a soft, amber glow that matched her eyes. This view alone made the property priceless.

“This has been wonderful,” Lexi said, her eyes moist as she gazed out at the sunset.

“Aye, that it has,” Jack said simply, but the wonder he’d glimpsed hadn’t been in the house or the grounds. It had been in the eyes and heart and mind of a girl who had, at least for a few hours, remembered how to dream.

“Thanks, Uncle Jack, for bringing me here.”

“My pleasure, lass.”

“I can’t keep it.” Jack remained silent, watching the spark of light he’d seen in her eyes all afternoon as it began to dull. “It’s not habitable,” she said.

“No,” Jack agreed, slowly. “But it could be with a little work. She’s structurally sound.”

“A little?” Lexi said doubtfully. “Uncle Jack, you said yourself the wiring was shot, the plumbing needs a complete overhaul, ...” She went on and on as he let her get it all out, somewhat surprised and impressed that she had registered and retained all that throughout the afternoon. With every reason she listed, her exuberance waned a little more, and it was almost painful to witness.

In his opinion, Lexi needed this house. She wanted it; she just didn’t believe she could have it.

“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” she concluded, blowing out a breath, deflating before his eyes.

“You speak as if you had to do it all alone, lass.”

Her eyes flickered with hope for a moment, but then she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Uncle Jack, but I just don’t belong here anymore.” The sadness in her eyes was heart-wrenching.

“Bullshite. You’ve got family here.”

Lexi snorted softly, something that sounded like a cross between a choked sob and a laugh. “Surely you’re not talking about Patricia and Kayla?”

“Of course not.”

Lexi looked genuinely baffled.

“Now you are just being insulting, lass,” he huffed.

Realization dawned on her face; her eyes widened and her cheeks grew red. “I didn’t mean –“

“I know what you meant,” he finished for her. “But family doesn’t always have to be blood.” He took her hand in his, and looked at it intensely while he gathered his thoughts. “As long as we’re around, you will always have family here, do you hear what I am saying, Alexis?”

She nodded, averting her eyes, but not before he saw the telltale sheen of moisture in them.

“That’s a good lass. We will talk about this more tonight over dinner and then you can sleep on it, alright?”

*

Lexi picked at her dinner under Kieran’s watchful eye, but only because Kieran threatened to force-feed her if she didn’t eat something. Part of her itched to call his bluff. The other part of her though – the realistic part – knew him well enough to know that he would make good on his threat, and wouldn’t that just be a barrel of fun?

For the most part, she remained silent as Jack brought Kieran up to speed on the day’s events. While listening intently, and managing to put away more than she could eat in a week, Kieran apparently tired of her playing with her food. He reached over and cut her steak into small, bite-sized pieces.

“Eat,” he commanded, as if she wasn’t a grown woman perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Without thinking, she stuck her tongue out at him. His eyes blazed for a few moments – apparently all of the Callaghans had that strange optical power - then the corners of his mouth twitched a little.

“Oh, that’s real mature, Lex.”

She couldn’t help it. She smiled, too. Then she started to laugh. Kieran had always been able to do that. To push her buttons until she was ready to throttle him, then say or do something that made her laugh and forgive him instantly.