Page 27 of An Irish Hope

She was?

“—and wants to see you settled and happy, too.”

“I don’t need to be settled just yet. I am only twenty-three. And I am happy,” she insisted. Well, most of the time, anyway. Studying for exams didn’t make her happy. But did anyone actually enjoy study? Ugh. What would that mean for the next two years?

“I guess it’s more the thought that you may feel like you’re living a little aimlessly, without a clear goal.”

“But that doesn’t mean I need my life mapped out in its entirety.”

“No. But it won’t hurt to pray about your future.”

“I do pray. And I’m trusting God.”

“Good.” Aine’s gaze veered to the restaurant entryway and her smile was enough to make Aisling turn there too.

Rory and Aidan came in holding hands, Mam following behind, wearing a broad smile.

“Hey, what have you two been up to?” Aisling asked. “I haven’t seen you since lunch yesterday.”

Rory held up her left hand, which was now decorated with a ring.

“What? You didn’t!”

“We did!”

Aisling pushed back her chair with such force it tipped over and hugged Rory, then Aidan. “Oh, you know you better look after her.”

“Otherwise I’ll have you to deal with, right?”

She laughed, remembering when she’d said something fairly similar last year. “Still doesn’t mean it’s not true,” she warned.

“I consider myself duly cautioned.”

Mam took a seat, and Aisling hugged her too. She seemed happy, like this was what she wanted. But—had Mam really said she was concerned about Aisling?

“Oh, it’s a shame that Fiona and Colin and Kara aren’t here to hear this,” Aine said.

“Fiona made her choices,” Aisling murmured.

“I think Colin and Kara have other things on their mind,” Rory said, peeking up at Aidan.

He smiled. “I did actually canvass Colin’s opinion last week, and he was happy. So I don’t think it will take him by surprise.”

“You did that?” Rory asked.

“Your dad isn’t here to ask permission, so your mum and brother are the next best thing,” he said softly.

Aisling’s heart panged. Her dad might’ve died several years ago, but he’d be so proud of his son-in-law to-be.

“Kieran would have been so glad to welcome you into our family,” Mam said, patting Aidan’s arm.

“Thanks, Maeve.” He hugged her.

Oh, that’s right. Like Kara, Aidan didn’t have a large family. His parents had both passed, and his Gran and sister and her family were all the relatives he had left. Bless him.

Aisling ate her marmalade-laden toast as they discussed some of the details, like where they’d live.

“My Gran is still with us,” Aidan said, “but I’m hoping to return here when I no longer need to look after her.”