part?” Brogan asked.
Liam slapped his hand on the table and laughed.
“Oh, he’s a comedian then? Just what we need,” Dylan grumbled, but Brogan could tell he wasn’t angry.
“Nice to meet you both.”
“I’m glad you came out. How have you been?” Liam asked.
Brogan paused as the tiny, and slightly terrifying, woman from behind the bar zipped to their table with two pints of Guinness in her hands.
“And who’s this, then?”
“Cait, this is Brogan. He’s new to town,” Liam said.
Cait paused and studied Brogan, and his shoulders tensed. It was almost as if there was an unnatural probing into his head. Was his mind playing tricks on him?
Cait narrowed her eyes. “You’ve the look of someone I know. You from around here?”
“My gran was.”
“Her name?”
“Catherine Brogan O’Hallahan.” Brogan had inherited his gran’s maiden name as his first.
“Get out! She was good friends with Fiona, though Fiona was much older. They didn’t live all that far from each other. Are you here to clear out her cottage then?”
“Um, not sure. I’m staying there, yes. But I don’t believe I’ll do much clearing. She led a pretty simple life and the stuff she had is still quite nice and in good repair.”
“That’s a good lad. I’m sick of people always tossing out useful things.”
“Aye, I understand. Some of the things built generations ago last longer than stuff made today.”
“That’s the truth of it.” Cait pointed a finger at him. “What can I get you? First pint’s on me.”
“I’m driving.”
“Tea?”
“Sure, that’s grand. And do you have a menu?”
“Special tonight is Irish stew with homemade bread. I’ve got a bread pudding for dessert as well.”
“Sounds perfect for a cold night.”
Cait was gone before he finished speaking and Brogan shook his head slightly. Though she was little, her presence was large, and it seemed to take him a moment to recalibrate himself once she’d left their table.
“You’ll get used to it. Cait runs a tight ship, but she’s got a huge heart,” Liam said.
“We’re all a little scared of Cait.”
“I heard that,” Cait called, and Dylan hunched his shoulders.
“See?” Liam whispered from the side of his mouth.
“I like her,” Brogan laughed.
“Good. Best to stay on her good side. So, you’ve roots here then? Where’s the cottage exactly?” Dylan asked, taking a long sip of his pint.
“Up the cliffs. Past the cottage right by the cove.”
“That’s our cottage. Well, it’s Gracie’s, but she’s kindly allowed me to share it with her.”
“Gracie is Dylan’s wife. They met when he threatened to bulldoze her cottage down.” Liam smiled and elbowed Dylan in the ribs.
“You did not.” Brogan’s mouth hung open.
“Oh, he did. And we about strung him up for it.” Cait materialized at their table again and put a pot of tea in front of Brogan.
“But you’ve since forgiven me,” Dylan reminded her.
“I’ve still got eyes on you.” Cait sniffed and disappeared again.
“That woman can hold a grudge.”
“Show me one that can’t,” Liam said.
“He’s not wrong,” Dylan agreed.
“I’m assuming you were persuaded to change your mind, since the cottage is still standing?” Brogan asked.
“Aye. I was shown the error of my ways. And was gifted the love of my life along the way. So, win-win.”
“That’s grand it all worked out. The cottage looks to be in great shape. It would have been a shame to lose it,” Brogan said.
“How’s your gran’s cottage?” Liam asked.
“It’s nice. She truly took good care of it, so there’s little in the way of maintenance for me to do.”
“What’s your plan? Will you sell it? That’s a lot of land with the cottage if I recall correctly.” Dylan leaned back and studied Brogan. “In fact, if I think back, I believe she was the majority landholder in that area. Which means…”
“Which means what?” Liam looked from Dylan to Brogan.
“What are your plans for the land again?” Dylan asked, casting a quick look at Liam, who promptly shut his mouth.
“No plans at the moment. I just came over to actually see it. I don’t think I was truly aware of just how much land she owned either. When I visited, I mainly stayed in the hills surrounding her cottage. It wasn’t until her will was read that I had any notion of the expanse of her property.”
“It’s a fair parcel, I’ll give you that.” Dylan took another sip of his pint and studied Brogan.
“Yes. Though, I have to ask how you’re knowing that.”
“It’s what I do. Development. Land, businesses, shipping companies…” Dylan shrugged. “I’m in the way of being aware of what’s about the area, is