coat and draped it over the banister. With his hand resting gently on her lower back guiding her down the hall, she was immediately greeted by another man looking very much like Sean. They were the same height, same build, same blue eyes, same hair color, although this man’s hair was much longer. The difference was the rougher edge to this man’s face as his gaze darted between Sean’s and Harper’s.
Sean smiled, extending his hand forward for a shake. “Kyle! Good to see you.” Turning to Harper, he introduced, “Harper, I’d like you to meet my brother, Kyle. And this beautiful lady is Harper Walsh.”
Kyle grinned, moving forward to place a kiss on her cheek. She tried to remember what Sean had said about this brother. She knew he was a detective but could not remember what department. Before she had a chance to speak, Sean was already giving his brother a playful punch in the shoulder.
“Hey, no making moves on her. I’ve got dibs.”
Shooting him a glare, Harper was uncertain she liked having anyone call dibs on her. Before she had a chance to say anything, Sean wrapped his arm around her and steered her further down the hall. Before they made it to the kitchen, she saw the third McBride brother, Rory. Jeez, the McBride genes are strong. Recognizing him from the bar, she smiled her greeting.
“Good to see you again, Harper,” he said. His gaze took in her splinted wrist and winked. “I can’t believe you’re still with my brother after everything that happened to you.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek, as well. “Seriously, how are you?”
“I’m good, thank you,” she lied, beginning to feel anxious as more people crowded into the hall.
Another dark-haired, attractive woman stepped into sight, a little shorter than Tara, with a leaner, athletic body. Sean introduced, “And this is Rory’s twin, Erin.”
Trying to remember what Sean had told her about his siblings, she said, “I understand you recently got out of the service. I’m sure it’s wonderful for your family to have you back.”
Erin offered her a smile and warm hug but made no other reference to her time in the service. She murmured, “It’s nice to meet you.”
Harper hoped she had not stuck her foot in her mouth but had no time to question Sean before the back door opened and another woman popped in. Cute, with dark hair streaked with pink and blue, her gaze landed on Sean first and she squealed, “Sean! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever!”
He gave the other woman a hug and then introduced his younger sister. “This is Caitlyn, the baby of the McBrides.”
She threw her arms around Harper and hugged her as well, still talking to Sean. “Rory told Erin who told me that you were dating someone. I can’t believe I’m the last to know.”
Sean’s family was friendly, but Harper was overwhelmed and had not even met his parents yet. Before she had a chance to worry about it, a lovely woman with soft silver hair cut in a shoulder-length bob popped around the corner, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.
“Oh, my goodness,” the woman cried out and rushed to greet Harper. “I’m so sorry I didn’t greet you at the door. I was trying to get the roast out of the oven when I heard Colleen yelling.”
Sean, coming to Harper’s rescue, wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Harper. Harper, this is my mother, Sharon.”
Sharon stepped back and peered at Harper, smiling widely. “My dear, you’re just as beautiful as Sean said.”
Shooting a sideways glance up at a grinning Sean, she looked back at Sharon. “Thank you so much for having me for dinner.”
A sound came from the door leading to the backyard and Harper watched as two men and another woman entered. Harper leaned gently into Sean’s side, glad for his arm around her shoulder to hold her up. Both men were tall, easily topping over six feet, but one man looked exactly like an older version of Sean. A bit heavier in the middle and with steel gray hair cut high and tight, she was sure that it was his father.
Guessing correctly, she watched as Sharon rushed over and grabbed the man’s arm. “Colm, come meet Harper!”
Sean’s father stepped forward and shook her hand, greeting her warmly. “Harper, it’s a delight to meet you.” He turned toward the other couple and said, “These