Three Fates

tears. “I’ve gotta . . .” She gave a helpless shrug, then walked quickly out of the room.
    “No, let me,” Tia said as Gideon started to rise. “I could use a little crying jag myself.”
    As Tia hurried after Cleo, Malachi reached for his beer. “Now that that’s settled, and we’re all on the same page more or less, I’m going to bring up other business. Of a more personal sort.” He took a deep drink to wet his throat. “The second part of a conversation we had before,” he said to Jack. “Well then. As head of the family—”
    “Head of the family?” Rebecca gave a shout of laughter. “My arse. Ma’s head of the family.”
    “She’s not here, is she?” Malachi said evenly and bristled at having his rhythm broken. “And I’m the oldest, so it falls to me to address the matter of this engagement.”
    “It’s my engagement, and none of your concern.”
    “Shut your mouth for five flaming minutes.”
    “I’m getting another beer,” Gideon decided. “This should be entertaining.”
    “Don’t you tell me to shut my mouth, you puffed-up, pea-brained monkey.”
    “I could’ve done this out of your presence,” Malachi reminded her, and the cool tone warned of rising temper. “And saved myself the insults and abuse. And now, I’m talking to Jack.”
    “Oh, talking to Jack, are you. And I’m to sit here with my hands folded and my head demurely bowed?” She threw a pillow at him.
    “You wouldn’t know demure if it crawled down your throat and tickled your tonsils.” He threw the pillow back, bouncing it off her head. “And after I say my piece, you can say your own. But by God, I’m saying it.”
    “Rebecca.” Jack spoke as she bared her teeth. “Why don’t you wait until he’s finished before you get pissed off?”
    “Thank you, Jack. And first I’ll say you have all the pity in my heart for the life you’ll lead with this ill-mannered, bad-tempered, violent-natured female.” Malachi narrowed his eyes as she made a grab for the jade bowl on the coffee table and Jack clamped a hand on her wrist.
    “Han dynasty. Stick with the pillows.”
    “As I was saying,” Malachi continued. “I’m aware money isn’t an issue with you, but I want it clear my sister doesn’t come to you with empty pockets. She’s a quarter interest in our business, which does well enough. Whether or not she decides to continue to work actively in that business, the quarter interest remains hers. And she’s also entitled to her share of whatever comes out of this enterprise of ours.”
    “The money doesn’t matter.”
    “It matters to us,” Malachi corrected. “And it matters to Rebecca.” He lifted a brow at his sister.
    “Maybe you aren’t a complete pea brain.” And she smiled at him.
    “I’ve seen how things are between you, and I’m glad of it. For all her faults—and they are legion—we love her and want her happy. As far as the Sullivan business is concerned, you’re welcome to be as much a part of that as suits you.”
    “Nicely done, Mal.” Gideon sat on the arm of his brother’s chair, lifted his glass in toast. “Da would have been pleased with that. And so, Jack, welcome to the family.”
    “Thanks. I don’t know much about boats. Wouldn’t mind learning more.”
    “Well now.” Rebecca grinned at her brothers. “I’m just the one to teach you.”
    “We’ll talk about that.” He gave her knee a friendly pat before getting to his feet. “I’ve got one or two errands to run. I could use a hand,” he said to the other men.
    “If the three of you are going gallivanting, so am I. I’m going to drag Cleo and Tia out to look at wedding dresses. Did I mention I’m wanting a big, white wedding?”
    That stopped him. “Define ‘big.’ ”
    “Don’t waste your breath,” Gideon advised him. “She’s got that gleam in her eye.”
    It was still there three hours later when she came back loaded down with brides’ magazines, a wedding planner book Tia bought her as an engagement gift and the sexy little nightgown that had been Cleo’s gift.
    “I still say lilies will make beautiful centerpieces for the reception.”
    “Right.” Cleo winked at Tia. “They’re not just for funerals anymore.”
    “The wildflower nosegays were so charming,” Tia put in. “I can’t believe I spent all that time in a flower shop and my sinuses stayed clear. I’ve had an allergy breakthrough.”
    “What are all those red spots on your face?” Cleo asked her, then