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“Bubbles is a cat.” Iris turned her head to glare at Kane and found his face still close to her ear. She caught herself wanting to lean forward and nip at his mouth. Instead, she eased back.
“And this is a plus, why?” Kane asked, leaning back on his stool and crossing his arms over his chest.
“Uh-oh, don’t let Beatrice hear you say that.” Mr. Murphy shook his head and clucked his tongue. “She’ll throw you right out.”
“Don’t tell me you’re not a cat person?” Iris stared at Kane. Maybe she’d finally found something not to like about the man.
“Nope, dogs are the superior pet,” Kane said.
“Here we go…” Mr. Murphy muttered and signaled to Cait to fill his pint glass.
“No way are dogs the superior pet. Cats are far superior. They’re like graceful goddesses that bless your life with their presence,” Iris argued.
“Dogs will alert you if there is a fire or an intruder. They’ll protect you. Snuggle with you. Make you laugh. Dogs are your best friends. Cats, well, they’re annoying.” Kane shrugged.
“Annoying! How can an animal be annoying?” Iris gasped.
“They’re standoffish. Aloof. They look like these cute fluffballs, but you try to pet them, they grow a thousand teeth and sharp talons. Little puffballs of rage are what they are. Who wants a fluffy rage ball in the house?” Kane demanded.
“Have you lived with a woman before, boyo?” Mr. Murphy piped in and then winced at Iris’s glare.
“Cats are easy to care for, excellent companions, and far less messy and cumbersome than dogs,” Iris said.
“Yeah, but what’s life without messy and cumbersome? As you know, nothing is neat and tidy,” Kane said, his eyes hot on hers.
“It’s not…it’s just…” Iris sputtered. A hand on her shoulder had her turning.
“Iris! I was hoping you’d be here,” Gracie said, beaming at her. A man and a woman stood behind her, waiting for introductions. “This is Niamh and Mac. I’ve been wanting you to meet them.”
“Oh, no way.” Kane turned and beamed at the man, offering him his hand. “Nice match last week, man. I’m Kane.”
“Thanks.” Mac grinned at Kane, and Iris remembered he was supposed to be a big deal. Judging by the way the crowd was shifting and whispering, darting looks their way, it seemed to be the truth. He turned to her. “I’m Mac. I think we’re cousins of sorts.”
“That’s what I hear. It’s nice to meet you both,” Iris said, shaking both of their hands. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Should she hug Mac? Ask him about his family? Invite him over for Christmas? It was such a murky area to her. She wasn’t sure how to proceed or what the expectation would be of her.
Niamh looked at Iris and, seeming to understand her dilemma, took charge.
“We’re just excited to meet some of Mac’s kin. He’s got a small family, so even if it’s a long-lost second cousin or something of the like, it feels nice to know there’s a connection. But we make our own family, don’t we, love?” Niamh looked up at Mac, adoration in her eyes, as he pulled her into the crook of his arm.
“That’s a relief, I’ll admit,” Iris said, blowing out a breath. “I only have my mother and never knew my father. There’s no other family for me that I’m aware of. I guess I wasn’t sure what you expected from me.”
“Nothing more than a pint and a chat at the moment,” Mac grinned at her and accepted the pint that Cait passed across the bar. “Family is a tricky word for me. I’m still learning how to accept hers into my life.”
“Oh, please.” Niamh arched a brow at Mac. “You talk to my father more than I do.”
“Yeah, about sports. I can’t help that the man has a lot of opinions.”
“Yesterday, you discussed if you should buy a new car and if he’d come test drive them with you,” Niamh pointed out.
“What kind of car are you thinking about?” Kane perked up, and Niamh sighed, rolling her eyes, as the men bent forward to talk about engines.
“I want you to know you’re welcome here,” Niamh said. She squeezed Iris’s arm and held her look. “We’re all like you. In our own unique way, of course, and we each have our own…abilities. You’ll not be judged here. If you’re looking for family, even from those who aren’t related to you, this is the place for you.”
“I…” Iris was surprised to feel her throat catch. “That’s incredibly kind of you. Everyone here has been so nice to me.”
“We have to protect our own, don’t we? The outside world isn’t so kind to those with special abilities, are they?” Niamh furrowed her brow. “I work with kids with abilities like ours. It’s…kids can be brutal. But we’re not. You’ll come to me if there are any problems? I’m not here full-time, what with Mac’s schedule, but I’ll give you my number.”
“Thank you, Niamh. Honestly? I wasn’t expecting this. Any of this,” Iris said, swooping her hand out in a circular motion. “It kind of feels like coming home.”
