“A legend?” Colleen didn’t look away from the glass until it was full and then she tilted it to allow the foam to settle. She hadn’t tasted Guinness since the day she’d left—avoiding it as the memory spark it could be. She took a long sip and then instantly regretted every day she’d ordered anything else.

“Yes, indeed,” Hank said. “A woman who could outbartend and outwit every man in the place.”

“False,” she said with a laugh, but enjoying the compliment. “It’s just talk. I spilled more beer than I served.”

“That, too,” Hank said. “I heard that, too.” And then came a holler from the back for someone to check on a delivery. “A pleasure,” he said and was off.

Colleen then turned to see a woman slouched at a corner booth, someone she hadn’t noticed when they’d arrived. Only the woman’s back was visible. Scattered over the round tabletop were notebooks, a calendar and stacks of paper. Her head was bent over the papers, the long stretch of her neck hidden beneath a cascade of blond hair. A thick dark Guinness sat untouched beside her, the white foam atop it not yet dented by the first and best sip.

Hallie.

A quiver of both anxiety and expectation ran underneath Colleen’s ribs. She had no idea what to do or say—the ingrained habit of turning away, of slighting her sister, was rising. But she had to find a new way of being with her if they were going to help their dad.

Colleen came from behind the bar just as Hallie turned around. They stared at each other for a moment, a still point in the room. It was the first time their eyes had found each other since that moment in the church ten years ago. Colleen didn’t budge, her mug of beer wavering in the air halfway between her lips and her elbow. Her sister looked older, but of course she would. Her eyes were puffy; she’d been crying. But still she was pretty in the way she’d always been: small mouth, small nose and round brown eyes just like their mother’s. She wore glasses now—tortoiseshell.

Colleen walked the few steps toward her sister. “Hi, sis.” Colleen spoke first and didn’t break her gaze.

Hallie’s brows drew together in a question. “Hello, Lena.” Her greeting was tepid at best.

“How’s it going?” Colleen exhaled the question.

“Huh?”

Colleen shrugged. “Okay, that was dumb. I just don’t know what to say . . .” She didn’t even try to fake a smile.

Hallie shook her head and motioned for them all to sit. “I have some stuff for us to go over for Dad’s party.”

“Already? Can’t we take a second to . . .” Colleen didn’t know what exactly they needed to take a second to do.