Page 79 of An Irish Hope

Then she pulled back. “Like that you mean?”

He nodded. “Very much like that. And also, maybe dinner.”

“At a place that does karaoke?”

He chuckled. “Absolutely. Then maybe tomorrow you could meet my sister, seeing as I’ve met two of yours.”

“That sounds like a fair trade.” She eyed him. “You’re sure Miles won’t cause trouble?”

He nodded. “I really did check the handbook. But I’ll give Patrick a heads-up now just in case. I’m sure he’d like to know what Miles is willing to do to get a passing grade.”

Her nose wrinkled. “Is he really that bad?”

“He’s not as naturally gifted as someone else I know who keeps getting praised by the likes of Moira.”

“She’s sweet.”

“She’s a good judge of character.”

“Is she now?” Her nose bumped his.

“I am too,” he murmured, before taking her up on her invitation for another kiss.

* * *

Never had he been so thankful as when the Christmas break finally came. After the tumult of the past two months felt like it would never end, he had two weeks off and was now back in Derryloughlin.

Miles’s accusations had found short shrift with Patrick, the principal, and the university. Especially when Aisling’s recording of the conversation had been played. Andy had been cleared of any wrongdoing, but to limit any fallout Miles had been given to another teacher to supervise him until Bryan finally returned. As expected Bryan was far less sympathetic to Miles’s attitude and behaviour, and had expressed his concern that Miles did not seem to possess those skills necessary to be a teacher.

By contrast, Aisling seemed to bloom, growing in confidence each week. Andy had even managed to stand in a hallway and hear her teach part of a lesson one day, until Moira spied him and shooed him on his way.

But he couldn’t help it. Aisling was amazing, and he wanted to be in her orbit as much as possible. Even his sister and parents agreed, having met her several times now.

“Oh, now Aisling is what we’re talking about,” Beth approved. “You are not allowed to let her get away again, got it? Otherwise I’ll disown you.”

So he’d done his best to ensure Aisling knew he cared, a deep sense of tender care and affection that was starting to feel a lot like love.

Which was another reason he was so glad to be here, in Derryloughlin again, while the Fairall family gathered for Rory and Aidan’s wedding.

He caught the eye of Maeve Fairall, standing next to her sister-in-law Aine, both of whom had welcomed him into the family.

The church ceremony had been sweet, but he barely noticed as he concentrated on Aisling’s face, her open-hearted enthusiasm that tugged a corresponding warmth from within him. There was no hiding her feelings, and this vitality, coupled with her fervent kindness, only made him want to be a better man. A better man, for her.

As the minister shared some words, he tried to listen, but his mind kept looping back to this truth. He wanted to be a better man. For her. He would do anything to be a blessing in her life. She inspired him, and he loved her for it.

He loved her. Loved her for who she was, and who she inspired him to be. And while he might never possess the assets that someone coming from this castle-owning family might expect, he knew Aisling didn’t care about that. Her value was in people, not what they possessed. Another fact which only made him love her more.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Andy refocused, and saw Aisling’s look of delight, before her gaze veered to find him. He placed a hand on his heart, then pointed at her, and her beam of joy sparkled more warmth through his chest. “I love you,” he mouthed.

Her lips parted, but there was no time to respond as the crowd cheered as Aidan swooped Rory in a movie-worthy embrace.

Meeting Aisling and falling in love hadn’t been part of the plan, but he didn’t care. Sometimes love made a person throw away the rulebook and do wild and crazy things.

Moments later they were walking down the aisle, and he was waiting nearby as she practically scampered down behind the bride and groom, then turned to him.

“What did you say?”