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“Ha,” I bark, remembering splashing in those waves, and feeling a deathly chill. “On the other side of all that cold water is a place called America.”
“Merica?”
“Close enough.” I laugh, pulling her smooth and warm cheek next to mine. “It’s where I live.”
“Does Merica have a candy store like Sugar Shop?” She points to a store across the street. “It looks like a giant rainbow inside.”
I forget I’m talking to a very advanced four-year-old. “There’s a giant candy store in New York, too.” I forget the exact name and never went inside. But kids in there look like they’re losing their minds. “There are also lots of giant toy stores. One has piano keys on the floor you can jump on to make music.” I hope it’s still open. “Let’s just get Lucy this dress for your tea party and when we get to Merica, I’ll take you to the best toy store there. You can have anything else you want.”
“Anything?” Her eyes are wide as saucers.
“Aye.” I laugh again, more than I have in a very long time as I carry her to the register. “Anything. In fact, there’s also a place I hear you can buy dolls and then book tea parties and haircuts for them.” I forget the name of that place, too. But hearing about dolls getting haircuts stuck with me when Sabine’s new sister-in-law, who has a daughter, mentioned it at the wedding.
“How can you cut their hair?” Sadie shrieks. “It doesn’t grow back.”
“Or maybe they just style it.” Even I hadn’t thought about the hair not growing back. I had nodded to the mother talking it up, politely thinking it sounded like the most absurd thing and wondered whatgackwould spend money on such guff. Now I’m thegackbecause it actually sounds like a grand old time. Or at least, I think going with Sadie would make it that way. I really get a kick out of her.
“That sounds like fun.” She hands me the dress for us to purchase. “When are we going?”
“Two weeks,” I say, dazed a bit.
“And when are we coming home?”
My throat tightens.Shite…“I’m not sure.” I may be in trouble because I told her we’re leaving before Darcy. “I’m hoping you’ll love it there and want to stay.”
“Like forever?” She looks stumped, and then her smile fades.
I don’t want to cause poor Sadie to have a meltdown while I’m at the register. To get the trip out of her head, I just say, “We’ll see.”
A shock zings through me when she slips her hand into mine outside the toy shop. We walk to that candy store, my hand gripping hers tightly now. Along the sidewalk, there are other shops, and Sadie tells me what’s in each one. Mummy’s bath candles—thanks forthatvisual, Maimeó’s dresses, and Pop-pop’s money—the bank.
“Ice cream!” Sadie then bellows and points, the candy store forgotten. “Can we get ice cream?”
I don’t know how people say no to children. “Of course, we can. What’s your favorite flavor?”
“Blueberry.”
“Blueberry? Never heard of blueberry ice cream.”
“I’ll let you have a taste. A small one.”
I check the time and realize Sadie hasn’t had lunch yet. The ice cream might ruin that, but who cares? She’s a kid. It’s one day. She tugs my hand tighter, and it kicks me right in the heart. She just met me yesterday.
We head to the corner to cross the street when a man comes out of the smoke shop with blond, shorn hair, jeans, and a ratty leather bomber.
He rushes up to us and pulls my arm. If I had a piece, the barrel would be in his chest. “Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing with Sadie?”
I pull her behind me. “I’m Darcy’s uncle from New York. Visiting. Taking care of Sadie for the day. Who the hell are you?”
“I’m Callum.” He gives me a once-over, realizing I have several inches on him. “Uncle, huh?” He then speaks low. “Thought maybe you were that brat’s father. Darcy swears it’s not mine. But I don’t believe her. I shag her and next thing, she’s knocked up.”
What the ever-loving hell? Calling this sweet little girl a brat stirs the devil inside me. But I keep that monster in check. I don’t have my brothers to back me up. I want to inform this git Darcy is leaving Waterford, but I’m not interested in telling this prick any more of our family business than he already knows.
“I don’t know who her father is.” I lean in closer. “If I were you, I’d turn around and walk away, mate. You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of. The Quinlans around here are not who we are in New York. Don’t let my watered-down Irish brogue fool you.”
“New York, huh?” He bites his lower lip until it forms a crooked smile. “I know people there.”
“People. That’s cute.” I give a sarcastic laugh. “I have three brothers, and I work for a mob boss with four brothers.” Six really, if we count Darragh and Cormac, who live in Seattle.
