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Nathan held his hands up. “She’s okay around town, but if you get her on the highway for more than an hour, she gets into her audible books and can end up on the other side of the state.”
He nodded, remembering the phone calls he’d received when she landed in Asheville. “I’ll suggest it, but I don’t know if she’ll agree.”
“It’s worth asking, and I appreciate it.” He tipped his head toward the holiday decoration. “Enjoy your elf.”
Grunting, he watched Nathan saunter toward Tancy’s house and wondered if she’d allow her baby brother to slip into a world he may not survive. Didn’t seem possible, given that her overprotectiveness was often on steroids. According to his aunt, Tancy had been both sister and mother to Nathan and took his well-being seriously. Just like she did with her friends.
Which made her social media campaign understandable. But frustrating as hell and more than he wanted to deal with.
Tancy smiled at six feet of bristling male standing on her porch and hoped he had enough time to appreciate her efforts. When he pushed the plastic fairy into her hands with a sharp frown, she guessed he was still stewing. “It’s a leprechaun. Surely you can’t object to a smidge of decoration celebrating your heritage.”
Teague snorted. “The Moriartys haven’t been in the motherland for at least three generations and don’t care about a plastic replica of a minor figure in Celtic folklore.”
“That’s unfortunate.” She waved her hand around their small cul-de-sac. “Because your house will be the only one without decorations.”
“Something I can easily live with.”
Placing the leprechaun next to the bucket of gold coins and candy-colored rainbow, she sighed. “I don’t know why you won’t accept my help.”
“I’m fairly confident that rogue holiday decorating isn’t considered help.” He leaned down so they were eye to eye. “And either is posting pictures on that stupid social media site.”
“It’s a matter of perspective, Teague. And I bet many people would consider me the archangel of best intentions and kindness.”
“Be that as it may, you did promise to leave my house alone after the Valentine’s debacle.”
“Did I, though?” Ignoring his searing gaze, she let out a huff. “Fine. But know that it pains me greatly.” She pushed at his chest so he’d move and waved toward his house. “It’s so plain and boring. It hurts my eyes.”
“The last I heard, that’s not terminal.”
“You don’t get out much, so that isn’t really a comfort.” She plopped down on the cherry red porch swing, moved a sizeable pink toile pillow aside, and thought about her brother. Had he imbued theatrics into his latest mishap or just relayed the facts?
“What’s got your face so twisted up?” Teague crossed the porch. “I know my lack of holiday enthusiasm can’t be solely responsible.”
Startled out of her thoughts, she glanced up and was disappointed that the view of his worn jeans clinging to his tight butt wasn’t a match for the vat of worry she was swimming in. “You’re acting strangely.” She gave him a once over. “You care very little about my moods. What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing.” He crossed his arms. “Do I sometimes pray to all the gods I know that you will either spontaneously combust or shapeshift into something I understand? Of course, I do!” He narrowed his gaze. “My self-preservation instincts are razor sharp, and I’d like to know if you’re cooking up something that will be hazardous to my health.”
“Your mental and emotional health are always at the forefront of my mind, so I don’t know why you’d suggest that.”
“Sometimes, your view on what would be beneficial contradicts mine, so acquiring intel is not something I’ll stop anytime soon.”
“Helping your business grow and leading a bunch of lovely women to your door is not a threat to your well-being.”
“That is a matter of perspective.”
She rolled her eyes. “Using my statement against me never nets the results one hopes for.”
“Well aware of that,” he mumbled. “Are you worried about Nathan?”
Surprised he’d honed in on the source of her concern, she nodded. “He shouldn’t be out there in the wild with bullets flying over his head. He needs to be in a nice office with a dozen monitors and an endless supply of Pepsi and Oreos. The man is a genius with a capital G and must be protected from his best intentions.”
“I could say the same thing about you, Tancy.”
She ignored the small compliment. “I’m bright but nowhere near as intelligent as my brother.” When Teague didn’t respond, she dug her teeth into her bottom lip. “He said something about visiting your cousin, Birch.”
“Leave him be, Tancy. Nobody likes to be told what to do, and if he has to run this thing down, then so be it. Interfering will only make him dig in.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Seeing his look of delight made her laugh. “Even a clock that stops is right twice a day, so don’t get a puffy chest and start prancing around.”
