“I always thought I’d end up with a simple life, like you.” Conor stepped back to get out of the way as his brother paced to the end of the bar and back, his movements tense and jerky with anger. “Louisa and I have nothing in common. What do I know about yachts and ponies?”

“Simple? You think my life is simple?” Pat shook his head in wry amusement. “Let me tell you this. Nothing is simple. And it pisses me off when you say you’re not good enough for her. What about Jayne and Danny and me? Are we unworthy? Because we all come from the same humble roots. Should Jayne not marry Reed because he’s loaded and she’s not? Maybe Leena should have left me years ago. It was her salary that fed us for a long time.”

Guilt washed over Conor. Pat was the best man he knew. The thought that he’d just insulted him—a real insult, not their normal daily ball-busting—made him feel six inches tall. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know you didn’t.” Pat rubbed his forehead as if it hurt. “What’s the real reason you’re running scared? Is it because of Barbara?”

Conor sighed.

“I know you got burned, but Jesus Christ, that was three years ago. Get over it,” Pat said. “If I hadn’t thrown my back out, I’d knock your ass down and sit on your chest like I did when you played hooky and I had to cover for you.”

“I was twelve. This hardly compares.”

“It compares because it was a stupid thing to do and you needed some sense knocked into your thick head,” Pat retorted. “Do you love Louisa?”

Certainty engulfed him without warning, like a flash flood in Cobbs Creek, and the thought of spending the rest of his life without her hollowed his chest. “I do. How did you know?”

Pat rolled his eyes. “Because you’re normally not such an idiot. Something had to be different.”

“She’s a lot of work. She has issues and enough baggage to need her own pack mule. She’s been hurt and has trouble trusting people.”

“In that case, you have more in common than you think.” Pat picked up his glasses and gestured with them. “I’ve never known you to be afraid of work. Good things don’t come easy. Besides, there’s no such thing as an easy woman.”

“Leena would kick your ass if she heard you say that.”

“Exactly.” Pat nodded. “But honestly, Conor, life doesn’t come with any guarantees. You have to risk it to get the biscuit.”

“And on that profound note,” Conor laughed. “There’s ten minutes until we open for lunch. I have to run upstairs and check a couple of things in the apartment so we can get moving on the renovation.”