Page 29 of An Irish Hope

“Not on your honeymoon, thank you. But if you were to have another ceremony there, wouldn’t it be fun to have some family members there too?”

“Hmm.” She could see Rory was thinking about it. “I couldn’t imagine getting married so quickly.”

“But there could be some advantages,” Aidan murmured, smiling before he kissed Rory’s cheek.

Ugh. She so didn’t want to think about whatever “advantages” he might be referring to. “Well, if you want help pulling things together, I’m happy to offer my services as wedding coordinator extraordinaire. It’s not like I haven’t done similar things before.”

“You’d really do that?”

“Of course I would. You know I love you.” She squeezed her sister. “And I’m even rather fond of this guy too.” She moved around the table and hugged Aidan.

“Thanks, Ash. Right back at ya.”

“I can always count on you for the classy comeback, can’t I?”

“You betcha.” He winked.

So maybe she didn’t have a romantic prospect who wanted her. Maybe this Fairall legacy had got it wrong. It didn’t mean she couldn’t have fun helping the first female Fairall to have been blessed with the lucky strike of Cupid’s arrow. She raised her chin. Glanced at Aunty Aine who nodded. She would do what she could to help others, and maybe that way she’d find her purpose for life once again.

* * *

“Okay, well, thanks again for coming.” Andy slapped Grady on the back as they waited at the Killarney train station. Grady’s train was due to come very soon to take him back to Waterford. It would mean a good few hours aboard, but Grady said he’d use it for work.

“My pleasure. Now, just remember what I said. You might not need a relationship, but you definitely need to make sure those lips remember how to work, so get kissing, okay?”

Andy chuckled and shook his head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ah, I might be ridiculous, but at least you’re laughing now, and I can’t be sorry for that.”

“Thanks for being a good friend.”

“Oh, don’t be getting maudlin on me. I have a reputation to uphold. Which reminds me: I have a proposition for you.”

“Uh oh.”

“Now don’t be like that. This is a good one.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“Well, I don’t think you’ve ever heard this before. Now, I want you to promise me something.”

“And what would that be?”

“I want you to promise me that you’ll kiss that girl.”

“Which girl?”

“The one who kept looking over at you at breakfast. You know, the one you pretended not to notice.”

He shook his head. “You’re right daft.”

“No, I’m simply right. And I know you’ll feel all right too if you just get your angst out and get over Greta by kissing her. It’s clear she’d be up for it.”

“It’s clear that it’s really time for you to go.”

“I dare you,” Grady taunted.

“Goodbye Grady.” He gently pushed him towards the waiting train.