Page 16 of His Royal Request

Her brows furrowed but she didn’t ask anything else. I continued to hold her hand as we approached the fourteen flags at the edge of the park. My heart was racing as I snuck looks, watching her take this in. I wanted her to fall in love with Galway as I had.

I walked her slowly along, weaving through the other people stopped to take pictures and watched her as she looked up at the different colored seals. When we got closer to the end I slowed down and waited.

“Font, Browne, Lynch…” Her eyes widened and she looked up at me. “Lynch? Do you think it’s the same as my family?”

I shrugged. “I can’t be sure without looking into your genealogy, but if your mother’s family was from Galway and their name was Lynch…” I shrugged again. I didn’t want to over-promise that it was, but I had a hunch when she told me her mother’s maiden name.

“What are these?”

“The fourteen tribes of Galway. The families that settled and built the city.”

She turned to look around. “I can feel her here.”

I smiled and squeezed her hand.

Her eyes met mine, glassy and full of emotion. “Thank you.”

I nodded once. She pulled out her phone and began taking pictures of the flags and the square. It was alive with people and the sound of bagpipes filled the air. She shook her head as she slid her phone back into her purse. “This is unbelievable, Aiden.”

“There’s one more thing I want to show you.”

She laughed. “How can there be more?”

I winked. “There’s always more to a city like this.”

Her blush lit a fire in my belly. I wanted to see more of it. I wanted to surprise her and see her light up.

We wove our way back through Quay Street and arrived at the water’s edge. The sun was setting but there was enough light to see the bay and boats gliding along for a sunset ride. This sidewalk was much less populated and we had room to stop and watch without being rushed by the crowds.

“Wait.” She paused and pulled out her phone. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not.”

I offered my hand, waiting for her to hand me the phone, but she smiled. “I meant would you mind if we took a picture together?”

“I’d like nothing more.” I turned so we had the bay behind us and she held up her phone. I ducked in closer to her, inhaling her sweet scent, and fighting the urge to nuzzle her neck.

“What were you going to show me?” she asked.

I was so caught up in the moment, in her, that I’d temporarily forgotten why we were here.

“This way.” I escorted her along the water to a short tunnel. She started walking through when I stopped her. “Look up, Charlie.”

“Spanish Arch. One of four arches built in 1584.” She read the faded plaque then gasped and turned around. “No way.”

I nodded.

“This is so cool! It’s like two hundred years older than my country.”

I wanted to show her the rest of Ireland, and Lochland. If she thought the 1500s were impressive, she was in for a shock.

Her eyes gleamed, reflecting the setting sun. “Are you hungry?”

She smiled sheepishly. “Yeah.”

“I know of a place you might like.” I extended my hand and she slid her fingers between mine. I’d felt the zing whenever our hands touched. I was surprised by how natural this had become. One day together and we were falling into step with one another. I smiled down at her while we waited for the crossing light to change.

“Where are you taking me?”