Page 60 of Irish Betrayal

Ulf gave Rowan a hard look that Daniel wasn’t sure how to take. Rowan directed her eyes to the tea pot she was still holding. Ulf sighed and revealed that the fire didn’t affect production or stored product.

“The damage was to the memorial and part of one of the event structures.”

Daniel felt a pain in his chest at the news. Blair gasped at the horrible news, having read Ulf’s lips and went to Rowan, hugging his aunt who was blinking back tears.

When they pulled apart, Blair forgot to speak aloud for Ulf and signed, “The moment I’m home, I’ll spend as long as it takes to put the garden to rights. I promise. And remember, all of the pictures and placards can be replaced. You have the originals. Everyone will help, and we’ll fix it together.”

Rowan blotted her eyes on a tea towel and signed back. “I know you’re right. Thank you. I hate to leave you so soon and before everything is settled.” She said that, glancing Daniel’s way.

“Things are settled between us, Row. No worries.”

“Are things settled with the prick who followed Blair here?”

Daniel cursed. Blair went stiff where he’d pulled her back against his side. “They will be,” was all he was willing to give his uncle while Blair was in the room, giving the older man a look to shut up.

He heard Blair gasp and place a hand on her stomach, a grimace of pain, her eyes creased. “What the hell, Blair? What’s wrong?” Rowan took a step forward, willing to lend a hand.

Blair shook her head. “It’s nothing. Gone already. My stomach has been off for a couple of months. It’s probably just eating food I’m not used to.” She waved her hands in front of her, brushing aside the concern.

“I have an appointment at the campus clinic next week. Hopefully, she’ll give me some tablets that will settle things.”

“You didn’t say anything.” Daniel placed his hand on her back. “Did last night…should we not have⁠—”

“Do not dare to discuss your sexual escapades in front of your aunt. Listening to you two go at it this morning was quite enough, I assure you. We were in the living room awhile before I knocked,” Ulf added in a snarl.

Blair turned wide eyes full of horror Daniel’s way, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “Serves you two right sneaking into a person’s house unannounced. Surely, you guys aren’t so old that you’ve forgotten the best way to handle morning woo⁠—”

“Daniel, I swear. Shut it,” Blair signed.

“You are awful, Daniel!” Rowan chided.

But his aunt had swallowed a laugh, and that was way better than tears.

Ulf never smiled, but there was definitely a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Likely not something a man forgets,” Ulf deadpanned.

“Don’t pay attention to either of these Neanderthals, Blair. Jesus, but the men in our family can try a saint.” Rowan shook her head in exasperation, announcing that she was going to pack.

“Will you be staying in Oklahoma?” Ulf asked Daniel.

He’d already been sending out emails and inquiries. He also asked his dad, Patrick, and Jonathan to forward all pertinent information. He was expecting a call from Timothy Daniels, their lead contractor on most jobs and a personal friend of the family. His mom and aunts were good friends with Tim’s wife, Saoirse Kennedy, the real estate agent in Dublin.

Daniel tapped his phone screen before looking at Blair. “If possible, I would like to stay. I can work from here.”

Blair’s eyes widened. “Absolutely not,” she gasped, her unique breathy voice that he loved, outraged.

“I know Rowan has composed herself, but she’ll need the family to help her through this, and you know it isn’t just Row that is upset by the loss. Your dad and Patrick…and Ulf,” she side-eyed her nemesis, “can handle the personal aspect of the matter, while you and Jonathan can handle the logistics of rebuilding. Bébhinn, Raven, and River will be dealing with the damage to the event structure. If the place is already booked, that space will need to take priority.”

Daniel sighed, tugging Blair close, hating the thought of leaving her so soon after they’d come together again. He looked at Ulf, who managed to look irritated and bored all in one.

“Dan,” Blair said softly, touching his cheek like he so often touched hers, “the O’Faolains are an all for one and one for all kinda family.”

“She’s not lying,” Ulf seconded.

“I don’t like leaving you where that man can still get to you.”

Ulf stepped forward and tapped Blair on the shoulder to get her attention. “What the fuck does he mean by ‘get to you’? Has that bastard pressured you?” He switched his glare to Daniel, not waiting for her answer. “Explain.”

Blair gave Daniel a pleading look. He chose to give Ulf enough to get him to back off and no more. Yet. “Samson had expectations not based in reality. He thought following Blair to America would change her mind.