Saving a Legend: A Kavanagh Legends Novel (2 page)

Guilt bit at him as he wondered if he was to blame for how much she’d aged in the last two years.

“All right, Ma, stop hogging him.” Kieran finally noticed that two of his brothers were standing next to the car behind them.

His younger brother, Quinn, pushed his jet-black hair out of his eyes as he walked up first and shook Kieran’s hand, bumping their shoulders together and clapping him on the back.

“It’s so good to see you, Quinn,” Kieran greeted his brother.

“About fucking time,” Quinn said as they pulled apart. Despite Quinn’s friendly smile, he seemed stiff, maybe intimidated, like he barely recognized him. Kieran felt the same way, since Quinn had definitely added even more tattoos to his lean, athletic body since he’d seen him last.

“I’m not a mirror, you know.” Another familiar voice called out as his twin approached, grinning widely. Their blue eyes mimicked each other under the fluffy, short brown hair they both shared, even though Kane’s was a bit longer than his at the moment.

Kieran grinned at his twin brother. “Kane, you’ve gotten smaller.”

“Fuck that, you got gigantic. What the hell were you doing in there?” Kane sounded a little bitter at the discrepancy between them as they hugged. This was what he needed, his other half. Their bond was more than brothers; no one else could make him feel at peace the way his twin did.

He and Kane were identical twins, though Kieran was older by a few minutes, and he never let Kane forget that. Their family members could tell them apart, but most others couldn’t. The size difference between them would make that a lot easier now. Although, knowing Kane, he’d probably hit the gym extra hard in an attempt to close that gap.

“Maybe I should have you training me instead of Rory. I think you might be bigger than him now,” Kane said over his shoulder as he led the way to the car.

“No one’s bigger than Rory.” Quinn laughed, wrapped an arm around his mother’s shoulders, and followed Kane, with Kieran next to them.

Mention of his older brother sparked Kieran’s curiosity. “Where is Rory? Or Jimmy? Or Casey and Dad?”

“Jimmy’s working. I’m sure, as a cop, he’s tired of visiting prisons,” Quinn answered, trying to make a joke, but no one laughed.

“Casey’s taking her midterms. She’s in her spring semester at New York University.” Dee climbed into the car first and slid into the back, leaving room for Quinn to slide in next to her so the twins could sit together up front.

“That doesn’t explain Rory or Dad. I’m guessing they didn’t want to make the long trek for the screwed-up son,” Kieran trailed off, sliding into the passenger seat. No one said anything as Kane started the engine and pulled out onto the road.

“Each of my boys is perfect in his own way,” Dee finally said, trying to change topics. “And now they will all be together again for Sunday dinner.”

His mother’s comment brought back wonderful memories of what Sundays used to be like, surrounded by family. It was Friday afternoon now, so he was already anticipating the upcoming event. He was curious to see if it would be a happy occasion, as he remembered it being, or if he would feel unwelcome after his time away. He’d heard all kinds of stories from guys he’d met in prison who’d gotten out, only to wind up back behind bars again soon after, about how people treated you differently when
convicted felon
was added to your résumé.

“Kane, you got extra room at your place?” Kieran asked.

“Yeah, need a place to crash?”

“Just for a few days. I’m going to go apartment hunting soon.”

“You’re not going to stay with your father and me?” Dee asked, leaning forward toward the front seat so they could hear her better.

“I’m a bit old to be living with my parents, Ma.”

“Nonsense, it’s not like I’m asking you to live at home for the rest of your life, just until you’re settled. Any of my kids are welcome to live at home anytime. People are always coming and going at our house anyway, and it’s been so long since I’ve had any of my boys home.”

“Ma, he’s fine with me,” Kane intervened.

Dee leaned back in her seat. “You’ve spent two years somewhere I couldn’t help you or take care of you, Kieran. Let me be your momma again for a little while, just until you get situated.”

Kieran felt his mother’s hand on his shoulder, so he placed his on top and gave her a comforting squeeze. “Ma, I really don’t think I deserve to be pampered right now. I was in prison, not the Peace Corps.”

“Don’t say that.” She smacked his upper arm from the backseat. “All of my boys are wonderful and deserve everything. A little slipup doesn’t mean anything.”

Quinn snorted at her comment. “Is two years behind bars considered a little slipup?”

“Quinn,” Dee warned.

“Sorry,” he replied sheepishly. “I’m sure Kane will pamper him plenty over at his place.”

“The fuck I will,” Kane admonished, shaking his head, which earned him a prompt swat on his arm from Dee.

Kieran laughed at the thought of his twin brother doing anything for anybody else. They might be the exact same age, minus about five minutes, but Kane seemed like he hadn’t changed one bit in the last few years. Kieran envied that, because he felt the exact opposite.

Everything was different about him now.
He
was different.

“Kieran, please stay with us,” Dee continued. “We had someone from your dad’s old boxing days staying with us the last month, but he’s since left and we’ve plenty of room. I can make you pancakes, bacon, and chocolate milk tomorrow morning. You know how you love that!”

“You should open a bed-and-breakfast, Ma,” Quinn said. “Get paid for always being the innkeeper.”

“Nonsense, we don’t need the money. Plus, I like having people there, especially my sons,” Dee said before leaning forward toward Kieran with hopeful eyes. “Kieran?”

“I’ll be fine at Kane’s, Ma,” he reiterated. “I’ll visit home often, though.”

Dee sighed, finally seeming to accept his answer. “Fine, but you better not miss one single Sunday dinner. Ever again.”

He grinned. “Deal.”

—

“Will you just trust me? Rory comes here every Sunday and gets Ma flowers.” Kane sighed, opening the flower shop door and ushering Kieran inside.

“So what, I’m just supposed to copy him? How’s that help me?”

“I don’t know, call it sucking up, apologizing, playing nice. Any of the above. Pick one. It can’t hurt, right?”

“Whatever.” Kieran shrugged.

“Go ask the lady at the counter for a bouquet. I’m going to hit the head.” Kane headed toward a door to the side with a restroom sign hanging over it, but pointed Kieran toward the back of the shop, where a young woman sat in front of a cash register thumbing through a catalog.

Kieran sighed. “Seriously? You can’t wait ’til we get to Ma’s?”

“Just go get the damn flowers.”

Kieran rolled his eyes at his brother’s retreating figure, then sauntered toward the counter. The young woman glanced up before closing her catalog. Her eyes widened as he moved toward her and she straightened her stance, tension visible in her long limbs.

“Hi, may I help you?” She forced a nervous smile, her light blue eyes making him pause. She was absolutely stunning, but in a muted way, as if she was trying to hide it from the world. Or as if she didn’t know she was beautiful. Whatever it was, he was having trouble taking his eyes off her.

“I need a bouquet,” he announced, forcing himself not to reach out and run his fingers through her long brown hair, which fell in thick waves just past her shoulders.
Because that wouldn’t be creepy or anything,
he thought, and wondered if two years in prison could have stunted his game.

“Sure, a bouquet of what?”

“Flowers.”

Kieran wanted to grab the word as soon as it left his mouth, realizing how juvenile he sounded. His game was definitely lacking. The young woman stifled a smirk, her body visibly relaxing and her lips twitching.

She cleared her throat, peering at him with kindness. “All right, well, who would it be for? Maybe that can help us narrow down our choices.”

“It’s for my mother.”

“Do you know what her favorite flower is?”

He shook his head, trying to think of the last time he had seen his mother with flowers. In truth, he hadn’t purchased flowers for his mother since her birthday the year before he went to prison. He didn’t think she was the stereotypical roses type of woman, but he wasn’t sure.

“No, I can’t remember. I’ve been, uh, gone for a while. Just got back.”

“Welcome back, uh—” She paused, raising one brow.

“Kieran. Thanks.”

“I’m Fiona.”

“As in ‘Fiona’s Flowers’? This is your shop? Wow, that’s impressive. You don’t look old enough to have your own business.”

She walked out from around the counter and toward a refrigerated section. “And you look too old not to know your mother’s favorite flower.”

“Ah, Fiona: 1, Kieran: 0.” He followed her to the glass doors that separated a wide selection of floral bouquets.

“What about one of these? Think she might like this?” Fiona slid open the large refrigerator door and touched some pink flowers he didn’t recognize. “This has always been one of my favorites, ever since my mother first taught me about flowers.”

“If you like it, I’ll take it.” He agreed without hesitation, unable to keep his eyes from roaming the length of her perfectly curved yet long body.

Fiona nodded and removed the vase from the shelf of the refrigerated case, slid the door closed, then carried the vase over to the counter. She pulled some clear cellophane from under the counter and began wrapping the arrangement, taking care not to crush any of the blooms. Next, she brought out some ribbon and tied it around the vase, finishing it with a small bow.

“Beautiful,” Kieran said, complimenting more than just her work as he pulled out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

“Forty-nine, ninety-nine.”

“Fifty bucks? Do these flowers also come with dinner and a movie?” he asked.

She blushed and dropped her eyes to the counter, not saying anything.
Shit.
Not two days out of the joint, and he was already offending people. “I’m kidding, Fiona.” He handed her a few bills. “Unless you’d be interested in that?”

“In what?” She took the money from him and opened the cash register to put it away.

“In dinner and a movie. With me.”

She looked up at him suddenly, wide-eyed, her lips parting slightly. Her cheeks blushed crimson, and that only made him like her more. She screamed innocence and purity, when he was the opposite. “I, um, sorry. I don’t date.”

“I don’t buy that—you’re too beautiful.” He leaned against the counter, trying to get closer to her, but she handed him his purchase instead.

“What did you get Ma?” Kane came up behind him, interrupting his flirtation.

“Your mother should love these pink Gerber daisies.” Fiona smiled at Kane, which Kieran guessed was her way of avoiding looking at him.

Avoiding looking at him by looking at his twin instead…Yeah, he really didn’t understand women.

“Thanks, miss,” Kane said to the florist before turning to him. “Come on, bro, we’re going to be late.”

Kane took the vase of flowers from him and was already walking toward the door. Kieran started to follow but paused to look back at Fiona.

“Don’t give me your answer now, flower girl. Think about it, and I’ll be back for your answer,” he added with a wink.

Fiona’s mouth fell open before he turned and followed his brother out the door. A couple years in prison hadn’t changed anything; he knew he still had game. He just hoped it was enough to charm the beautiful brunette.

Chapter 2

“Ma! We’re here,” Kane called as he and Kieran walked into the front foyer of their childhood home.

“I’m in the kitchen. Come say hi to everyone,” she yelled in return. The Kavanaghs were known to be a rather loud family. The two men headed into the kitchen and found her taking a heavy dish out of the oven.

“Hey, Ma.” Kieran was going to kiss her cheek, but she was carrying hot lasagna in her mitted hands. After she placed the glass pan on the stove, she turned to hug him. When they parted, he offered her the bouquet. “I got these for you.”

“Oh! My boys are so kind, as always.” She took the flowers from him, then bustled about, removing the wrapping and making minor adjustments to the arrangement. She inhaled their fragrance and smiled warmly. “They’re perfect, Kieran. I’ve always loved pink daisies—it’s so sweet of you to remember after all this time.”

“Uh”—he paused sheepishly, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck—“it’s no big deal.”
Thank you, Fiona.

“Ha! He didn’t remember anything. It was the pretty flower shop girl he was flirting with who suggested them.” Kane obviously had no qualms about selling his twin out to their mother.

“What the hell, man?” Kieran shot him an angry look accompanied by a not-so-gentle punch to his upper arm.

“It’s true!” Kane laughed, rubbing his arm with a grimace. Kieran had hit him a bit harder than he’d intended, still not fully aware of his newfound strength.

“It’s still a very sweet gesture, Kieran,” his mother assured him, stepping between the boys as if to break up an impending fight. She was the mother of five boys, so this was definitely nothing new for her. “Here, go put the vase on the table so we can see them while we eat.”

Dee handed him the vase before resting her hands on his forearms and leaning up to give him another kiss on the cheek. When she pulled back, tears glistened in her eyes. “I love you so much, Kieran. It’s so wonderful having you home again.”

Kieran felt a lump form in his throat. “I love you, too, Ma.”

“All right, enough of this,” Dee said with a forced laugh as she pulled her apron up to wipe at her eyes. “Go take the flowers before I embarrass you with more affection. Believe me, I’ve got so much more stored up for you from the last two years.”

Kieran smiled and turned to do as she’d asked. His heart felt like it was so full, it would burst. He loved his mother, and seeing the relief in her eyes made him both happy he was home and sad he’d ever left.