Page 9 of An Irish Hope

“Oh, a year or two ago. Mam and I felt so bad for him. We said he could rebook to stay here himself, and he put it off until this was the last week he could use it. Which just so happened to be the same date that Colin and Kara chose. Mam felt sorry for him and felt like she couldn’t let him miss out again.”

Fair enough. She rubbed her forehead. So she was enamoured of a man who’d been jilted at the altar? Was that because God had been preserving him for her? She shivered.

Regardless, the news about his history softened her heart, taking away some of the anger and angst from before. Poor man. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like if Kara had stood up Colin. How humiliating that would be.

The emcee announced it was time for more dancing, which saw Rory murmur they should try to squeeze in more karaoke later. Then when Aidan returned and asked Rory to dance, Aisling moved to watch the couples slow dancing, while seated between her mother and aunt. “Colin looks so happy, doesn’t he?”

“They’re a good match,” Mam said.

“Like Rory and Aidan?” she tested.

Mam smiled. “They’re a good match too.”

Ha! Aidan must’ve got Mam’s blessing. Which was no surprise really. He really was practically perfect.

“How about you, Aisling?” Aunt Aine asked. “Any young man on the horizon? You didn’t come with a partner, did you?”

“No.”

“Ah never mind. God has someone special for you.”

She nodded, biting her lip. No way would she mention anything of what had happened before. But it didn’t mean she couldn’t go fishing. “I’m glad the other hotel guests don’t seem to have minded the music.”

“Other hotel guests?” Aunt Aine asked.

“Oh, it’s a long story,” Mam said. “But yes, there are a couple of men who I couldn’t say no to.”

“Why ever not?” Aine asked. “This was your son’s wedding.”

Mam explained much as Rory had, as Aisling’s ears pricked for any new drops of information. He was a teacher, apparently, which was something. She wondered if he was the nice sort or the type who thought teaching an excuse to bully. She didn’t think he could be that sort. His eyes had been kind.

“Poor lad,” Aine murmured.

She bit back a smile. Or not so poor lad if he knew Aisling was on his horizon.

“Well, it is good that he’s been understanding,” Aine concluded.

Mam nodded, her gaze veering to where Aidan and Rory danced together. “I’ve always prayed for my children to find the right partners God has for them, and it’s good to see this is starting to happen, with Colin and Kara, and now Rory and Aidan.”

“Don’t worry, Ash, we’ll keep praying for yours,” Aine said, eyes twinkling. “In fact, I seem to remember a good friend has a son who might be available.” She turned to Mam. “Remember Moira from our university days? Her son.”

Mm, Aisling didn’t want to be set up by her aunt. “Thanks Aunty Aine, but I’m not looking. I’ve just finished university, and I’m planning to stay around here and work at the hotel for a while. It’s probably best to focus on that rather than get distracted,” she added virtuously.

“I understand,” Aine said, with a wink that suggested she saw more than Aisling preferred. “Well, I remember you always enjoyed your visits, so if ever you need an excuse to call in, then you know I’ll always be happy to have you.”

“You should, Ash,” Mam encouraged. “You have been working hard, and it’s not like we can’t manage without you.”

Whether she’d still say that if Rory was living on the other side of the world remained to be seen. But she couldn’t say anything about that. That was Rory and Aidan’s news to share, and she was a good enough sister to know that nobody else should pre-empt that.

Aunty Aine laughed softly. “But I suppose a set-up by her aunt and mother is hardly what a young person wants these days.”

Aisling nodded. “It’s not exactly the time of Pride and Prejudice and arranged marriages.”

“Indeed, no.” Aine studied her. “But still, I’ll be praying for you. For this and your future.”

“Thanks.” Her lips twisted wryly. “I obviously need all the prayer I can get.”

“Don’t we all?”