“Just an idea that started taking shape over the past couple of weeks. If I were to buy property not attached to the pub, I’d want waterfront. But that’s hard to come by on an island. Not to mention, I don’t make the millions it would take to buy some of the houses here.”

“Money is no object—”

“You don’t pay for me, Kane.” I clap him on the shoulder. “I love you for saying that, but I pay for my own.”

“Stubborn arse,” he mutters.

“If you would ever part with an acre or two along the cliffs, I’d buy from you and build a house there. And, maybe one day, raise a family there.”

“Jesus, Keegan, what’s gotten into you?”

“I asked you the same question not long ago.”

He nods thoughtfully. “They’ll change your world, a woman will. If that’s what you want, Keegan, I’d be happy to work something out with you regarding the land.”

I nod, my mind racing with ideas. “Let’s talk about it again once I’ve had time to think on it more.”

“Good idea. When are you headed to the cabin?”

“In a few hours.”

He laughs loud enough to scare a dozen birds off a nearby tree. “You don’t mess around when you’ve set your mind to something.”

“It runs in the family.”

Before I can whisk Izzy away for a few days, I need to make one more stop. I asked my sisters to meet me at Maeve’s house for a little conversation.

I don’t know that I’ve ever been angrier with my sisters, even when, at sixteen, they cut my hair when I was asleep.

I had to shave my head.

But this is worse.

I park my truck and walk up to Maeve’s door. She answers before I knock.

“What is it with my sisters hovering by the front door?”

“You literally just texted four minutes ago and said you were on your way,” she reminds me and leads me back to her huge kitchen that looks out to the sea.

We’re all ocean-lovers. It’s the Irish in us. We come from a small village on the cliffs of Ireland’s west coast, and we long for the sea.

“I have a few things to say.” I lean on the counter and watch as Maggie shoves a muffin into her mouth. “You’re such a lady.”

“I know.” Her mouth is full when she smiles.

“Why did you tell Izzy that I’m afraid of commitment?”

They look at each other and then both look at their muffins.

“Hungry?” Maggie asks, holding one up for me.

“Answer me, Mary Margaret.”

“It wasn’t a lie,” Maeve says. “You’ve never been the kind to date anyone for long, Keegan, and that’s the truth of it.”