Page 63 of Atlas
Damian snorted. “As if ye had that choice. Dad and I would bust down the door and bring ye back home.”
“Ye’d better!” Kit gave her brother a sideways hug.
“I’m sorry for asking this,” I said, “But I can’t help notice that you don’t look much alike. Is one of you adopted?”
Damian shook his head. “Nah, we share the same father, but I’m from his second marriage. My mom is from Thailand, while Kit’s mum is pure Irish wildcat.”
“That’s right. My mum is a force to be reckoned with for certain. She was too much for our da to handle, so he ran off to Thailand to find a submissive wife who would take his bullshit. I was well mad at him at the time, but Lucy is amazing, and if he hadn’t married her, I wouldn’t have this handsome devil as my little brother, now would I?”
The two siblings smiled at each other, and it touched me to see their love for each other.
“You’re very close, aren’t you?”
“Aye, we’re as thick as thieves,” Kit confirmed. “It annoys our other brother, Tommy.”
“He’s just jealous, is all.” Damian shook a forkful of meat in the air and turned his attention on Liv and Charles. “This bird is delicious.”
“Thank you. It’s a goose that one of our neighbors shot,” Liv explained.
“It’s much better than the time Kit and I wanted to surprise you all with an American thanksgiving dinner.” Damian elbowed his sister. “Remember how we tried to roast the turkey, but it went arseways on us?”
“Do ye have to remind me?”
“It was a sweet thought,” Liv said with a smile. “And everything except for the turkey was perfect.”
“Aye, but that’s because we Irish can’t afford to mess up anything that involves potatoes. If we do, our citizenship gets revoked on the spot. That, and if we don’t sing along to ‘Wild Rover’ at the local pub.”
I laughed at Damian’s joke.
Nathan laughed too and announced, “We need to take Jolene to a bar so she can experience some Irish music while she’s here. What do you say we go to Temple Bar?”
Atlas cut in, “Not tonight. She suffered a concussion and needs to take it easy.”
“Then, tomorrow.” Nathan countered back.
“No. If she’s going sightseeing and interviewing you tomorrow, she’ll need to rest in the evening. There’s also the jet lag to consider.”
Nathan skewed his mouth and looked at me. “The boss has spoken, but don’t worry, we can go on Saturday night after the birthday celebration. That way, Maximum, Lumi, and River can come too.”
“Ha! Good luck getting Lumi to a bar.” Damian shook his head. “If you manage that, I’m coming just to see it.”
“Deal! We’re all going to Temple Bar on Saturday night.” Nathan pointed at Atlas. “You included.”
“If Jolene isn’t too tired, we’ll go,” Atlas replied.
The thought was exciting. “I would love to experience a night out with all of you.”
“I’ll stay here with Saffron.” Charles tousled the hair of the little girl, who was similar to him in that she didn’t say much. “Bars and public places are not my thing. But you should bring Liv with you; she could use a fun night out.”
“You sure?” Liv smiled at her husband.
“Yes.”
“I would like that.” She beamed at me. “I even know a few of the words to ‘Wild Rover’ that I can teach you, so we Americans don’t stick out too much.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I raised my wine glass, and we all cheered.
CHAPTER 15
