“O’Hara’s?” Avery asked.
“My uncle’s friendly neighborhood pub,” Katie told Avery. “The reception.”
“Of course,” Avery said. He paused for a minute. “I have a car. Am I taking it?”
It was agreed that Avery could leave his car at the funeral home for the time being. Liam made the call, and then, in a group—since the other cars were parked legally around the cemetery—they began the four-block walk to O’Hara’s.
When they got there, another good family friend, Marty, had a group of his “pirate” friends playing together as a small band. They played quietly, and they mixed laments with sonnets and soft songs that seemed to fit the bill just right; they weren’t making the room fall apart, and yet, both the fact that it was a celebration of a good life and the mourning of a passing seemed to have been met perfectly.
Kelsey was sitting at the bar, Avery at her side, Sean telling her a story about Cutter giving drifters dollar bills and hamburgers, when Katie sidled into the chair next to her.
When the story was finished and Jamie had moved on, Katie whispered, “That is surely one of the most gorgeous men I have ever seen. This is really none of my business, but…well, yes, it is—Liam is a dear friend. Wait, he will be my cousin-in-law. Were you and Avery involved?”
Kelsey looked at her and smiled. “No. Never. I’m not his type.”
“And he’s not your type?” Katie asked.
Kelsey laughed. “No.”
Katie frowned and said softly, “He’s really—just the most stunning man I’ve ever seen.”
David had come up behind her and slipped his arms around her. “The most stunning?” he teased.
Katie winced. “Almost the most stunning,” she amended.
Kelsey decided to be merciful. “I’m not his orientation,” she said.
“Well, that is a relief!” David said.
Avery turned then, grinning. “Wish the guys I fell for thought I was the most gorgeous thing in the world,” he said.
“Hey, it’s none of our business,” David said.
“Oh, hell, yes, it is—we’re very nosy,” Katie said.
“Watch out—she’s already plotting,” David warned him. “Thinking of friends who would love to meet you.”
She wasn’t sure if Liam heard the remark or not, but he came up behind her then. “I have to go, but I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Can I go back to the house?” she asked him.
“She won’t be alone,” Avery assured him.
He glanced at Avery and tried to smile. It was a weak effort. “That’s great,” he said. “I know David and Katie and Sean and Vanessa and maybe some of the others can hang in for a while, too. My cousin and his group are editing a documentary on strange incidents around here, so they’re on their own schedules. Well, except for Katie, but she’s off tonight, anyway.”
“Whatever,” Avery said staunchly. “I won’t be leaving her.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I can leave today,” Liam said. He grimaced, meeting her eyes. “I do have to deal with Gary White. He was a drifter, but not an evil man, and every human being deserves justice. I will find out what happened to him.”
He looked awkward, as if he wanted to kiss her cheek or give her a hug but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate. She stood up and put her arms around him. He held her close for a long minute. He lifted her chin and whispered softly, “Is it cool if I still hang around the house, too?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she assured him.
She watched Liam go. And she knew that to her mind, he was the most stunning and beautiful man she had ever known.
Liam was barely out of the bar before his phone rang. It was Katie.
She wasted no time.
“He’s gay,” she said.
He almost laughed out loud. He’d realized, when he’d seen the man and it had seemed that his entire body knotted with jealousy, that the way he felt about Kelsey had to include trust. If she’d been that close with someone in California, Kelsey would have told him. He hadn’t understood completely, but he was going to go on trust.
“Did you hear me? It’s all right, Liam. Oh, my God, though, I can think of so many friends for him!”
“Katie, whoa, calm down. He may be in a relationship in California already.”
“I didn’t want you to be worried.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
“Like hell!” She laughed.
“Okay, I was a little worried. The guy could win in Olympic wrestling. But I’m glad he’s here, because he’ll hang tightly with her while everything is sorted out,” Liam said.
“Yeah? You think that finding Gary White’s body could have anything to do with Cutter Merlin, Kelsey or the Merlin house?” Katie asked.
“Let’s just say I believe…I don’t know what I believe. But I won’t stop until I find the truth. I’ve got to work, Katie. Hang in there for me, huh?”