Page 21 of An Irish Hope

“That’s what my sister calls me back home. That, and I like cricket. But you don’t really play that here, do you?”

“We play rounders more. Which has some similarities.”

He soon grew aware that it was way past the time he’d told Grady he’d get back, and he really should return soon.

“I’m sorry, but I need to go,” he said.

“Us too. We did allow the morning off for our guests, but said we’d be back this afternoon before people headed off.” Maeve smiled at Andy. “I know it’s been a little hectic this weekend, but you’ll find that it’ll be much quieter now with many of the guests gone. You’re staying a few days longer, yes?”

“That was the plan.” And he liked his plans. But now, seeing the way Ash studied him, he probably should go sooner than later. It wouldn’t do to allow himself to get caught up with a woman again.

He rose. “Um, I should go pay.”

“Oh, that’s all fixed up.”

“Really?”

Maeve nodded. “It’s our way of saying thank you for being so accommodating with the challenges of accommodation.”

“Thank you, but you really didn’t need to do that,” he protested.

She smiled. “You noticed it was only a meal, not the cost of your stay.”

He chuckled. So this was where her daughters got their sense of humour. “Well, thank you again. I appreciate it.” He nodded to everyone. “Uh, thanks again for including me.”

“We’re glad you could stay.” Aisling’s quick smile soon slipped into something that looked almost wistful.

Which, as he headed back to the hotel, made him wonder again just what she was thinking, and what the reason was for this strange vibe between them.

His fingers clenched on the steering wheel. It didn’t matter what her reasons were for asking him, he had no business wondering about her. He was a man with a plan, after all. He’d just need to remember that.

CHAPTER SIX

“I like him,” Mam said. “He seems quite nice. Quiet, but nice.”

Rory nodded. “He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would get left at the altar.”

“I wish I could remember where I’ve seen him before,” Aunty Aine said. “I’m sure it’ll come to me, probably at two in the morning.”

The car ride back was cosy, Aisling having decided to let Rory and Aidan have some quality time together, which meant she’d hopped in the back of Aine’s sportscar, while Mam sat in the front.

“Do you think Fiona will still be here?” she asked.

“Ah, I wish I knew what that girl wanted,” Mam confessed. “She’s always so busy, then when she’s here, it’s like she wants to return, like she doesn’t really know what she wants.”

Amen, Aisling thought.

“I’m worried about her.”

Had Mam meant to say that aloud? “I tried to speak to Declan but he wasn’t admitting anything.”

Mam peered back at Aisling. “Do you think he has something to admit?”

“I don’t know.” She told them about Fiona’s tears last night, and while it felt a little disloyal to admit as much, she also felt it only fair. Mam and Aunty Aine both prayed for them all, and it was only right that those who prayed had the correct information. Besides, it wasn’t like Fiona didn’t need all the help she could get.

Her phone buzzed with a notification. Fiona had sent a message. Gone back to Dublin.

“Fiona has left,” she announced.