Page 7 of His Royal Request

“Not as close as you used to be able to since they built a wall.”

She frowned. “So, we can't get close to the edge?”

“We can go within a few feet but there were too many fatalities so they put up a wall to protect visitors.”

She gasped. “People have died there?”

“Unfortunately, several have.”

She looked nervous.

“I promise it's completely safe. I won't let anything bad happen to you.”

I said those generic words but they sank deeper into me. What was it about this foreign girl? Something inside me recognized she was unique.

I wasn't normally one to introduce myself to strangers or go out of my way to include someone in my day. I was busy. I had responsibilities. It wasn't like I could take a few hours to do sightseeing. But when I met her last night, I knew I couldn’t just say goodbye. I couldn’t let her walk away. It just so happened that I was able to delay my flight back to the Lochland today. I would hear about it later from the office, but it would be worth it.

“Now don't you worry, ma'am,” George said. “We'll make sure that you're nice and taken care of. I even included a few jackets and windbreakers in the back in case it’s cold or raining up there.”

She looked out the window to the blue skies that were rare in Ireland

“We’re very lucky to have some sunshine today, but I have a feeling things will change the closer we get to the cliffs,” George added.

I’d never been at Cliffs of Moher when I wasn't getting pelted in the face with rain. I rarely visited though, despite it being one of my favorite places in the entire world. I was grateful Charlie was allowing me to experience it with her.

We drove up the final hill to where the cliffs’ ticketing booth marked the entrance. The sky had darkened and a cool mist had set in.

George rolled down his window and smiled at the woman inside. “Just have these two for a small tour.” He nodded to the back seat where I was sitting. The woman looked at me, her jaw-dropping slightly.

She began nodding aggressively. “Of course. Of course, go ahead and pull straight through and park on the right.”

Luckily, Charlie was too caught up in people watching to notice the exchange. She probably would have questioned why we were able to park up front while the rest of the public had the park off to the left and walk a ways further.

George got us a front-row parking spot and jumped out to open Charlie’s door. It was windy, my jacket flew open the second I stepped out of the car, but at least it wasn't raining.

She got out, rubbing her arms covered only by her thin blouse. “It's a bit colder than I expected.” Her hair was whipping around her face, ignoring her attempts to contain the curls.

“That's why I planned ahead for you.” George opened the trunk and handed her a navy-blue windbreaker. She smiled as she slipped it on.

George winked at me and if I didn't know better, I would have been worried that the old man was trying to swoop in on my guest. I pulled out a black windbreaker from the trunk and put it on as George put on his tweed suit jacket. The man was never without it. I wasn't sure how old the coat was but I could remember him wearing it when I was a child. Though, who's to say it's the same one. It wouldn't surprise me if he had an entire closet of the same jacket, he loved it so much.

“This way.” He led us to a longer path looking cheerier than I'd seen him in a while. He seemed to be enjoying having company other than myself, not that I can blame him. It’s been a stressful couple of months. I'm sure I haven’t made the best company lately.

Charlie walked next to me smiling as she watched the other people coming and going. She glanced at the shops but continued past them and I was grateful she wasn't taken in. The cliffs were the highlight of being here not the souvenirs.

George continued walking until the path split into a fork. Charlie ran forward up against the short, stone wall catching a first glance of the cliffs. Her jaw dropped when she turned to us.

“Guys! This is better than the pictures!”

I smiled. “Just like it's greener than you thought?”

She nodded. “Bigger, better, more beautiful.”

She turned around and started taking pictures.

“Oh, but miss, you haven't even seen the best view yet.” George approached her offering his arm and when she took it, he turned and winked at me again. What was this old man up to?

He led her up the stairs that curved along the coast until he reached the top. Good grief, did he have endurance. I was huffing by the time we got to the top while he stood there looking like he’d just enjoyed a morning stroll. He turned Charlie around and she gasped.