Page 69 of An Irish Hope

“Of course you,” Rory said. “You’re our sister, remember?”

Kara smiled.

The conversation spun to questions over where Rory and Aidan might live, and at least here there was more clarity with that. “It looks like he’s able to get a job in Killarney, so it might mean we live there, rather than home.”

“Oh. What does that mean for the hotel?”

“Well, that’s another reason for talking. Mam is saying that she’d like to step in but I’m not sure. Of course, with his grandmother not well it’s a little tricky to say anything too definitively.”

“Kara, what about your plans for moving?”

Kara blushed. But said nothing.

“Kara?”

She glanced down. “I don’t want to say, not while Colin is away.”

“Don’t want to say—oh! Kara!” Aisling gasped. “Are you really?”

“Really what?” Fiona asked.

“Oooh, Kara!” Rory exclaimed. “Congratulations!”

“Congrat—? Oh.” Fiona’s face blanked. Then she found a tight smile. “Does Mam know?”

“We told her last night. But it’s only early days yet.”

“When would it be born?”

“Just before summer.”

“Oh, I bet Mam is thrilled!” Rory gushed. “She’ll be beside herself. The first grandchild! Oh, congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Kara said. “But I really don’t want to steal focus from your news. That’s so exciting. A Christmas wedding, wow!”

“Oh, but we’re all glad to celebrate with you,” Aisling insisted. “Have you been keeping well? Is Colin over the moon? I bet he is.”

“It’s sooner than we thought, but we’re glad. It does mean things with my job in England are going to have to draw to a close sooner than I like.”

“So you definitely are going to move to Ireland?” Rory asked. “If you’re there, and Mam is there with the baby, oh, it’s just perfect, isn’t it?”

Fiona coughed. “I don’t mean to break up the party but I just remembered something I need to do.”

“Fiona?” Aisling asked, but her sister had already exited the call. “Hmm. Anyone else think she looked a little weird?”

“That’s not nice to say,” Rory reproved.

“She did seem a little tense,” Kara said. “I hope it wasn’t anything I said.”

“Oh, she’s never been interested in babies,” Aisling dismissed. “Don’t take it personally.”

“Has she got a boyfriend?” Kara asked.

“She dates but it’s never serious. I think there must’ve been a guy who broke her heart.”

“How about you, Ash? Anyone on your horizon?”

She swallowed. “I’d really rather not get into it.”