AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The one Aidan dumped on him.”
Ah, the heiress Jacob mentioned.
“Word to the wise, Rory,” Manus says. “Don’t tease him about her. He’s not in the mood.”
“Fair enough,” I say, though I’m now intrigued by the effect this unknown woman has had on Jacob. “I’ll leave him be.”
Manus nods and walks off around the side of the house. He always uses the back door. I don’t know how many times we’ve invited him to come in the front way, or to join us for dinner, but he always refuses. It’s crazy because at this point he’s practically family, to my younger brother, at least.
I get the bag from the back of the car and return to the house. Sorcha and Eleanor are laughing about something. It pleases me they’re getting along. The kids, however, seem to be frozen exactly as I left them.
I hold the bag out to Eleanor. She reaches inside to retrieve the toys we brought. There’s a fluffy brown bear for Cora and a gray dinosaur for Donal that has to be the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen. Eleanor was sure he’d love it, though, and it seems she was right.
As she holds the toys out for the kids, they race over and practically snatch them out of their hands. Fuck. Why have I never noticed what ill-mannered little monsters they are? Probably because I was never hoping to make a good impression on a woman before.
Sorcha rolls her eyes despairingly as her kids retreat to her side.
“What do you say to Auntie Eleanor?” she asks.
“Thank you, Auntie Eleanor” they chorus.
That’s better, I guess.
“Okay,” Sorcha says, “now head upstairs to Lisa. It’s time for bed.”
Predictably, there are moans and groans. No doubt sensing a party is about to get underway, the kids don’t want to miss out.
Leaving Sorcha to deal with their nonsense, I steer Eleanor through to the dining room. Aidan and Jacob are standing by the drinks table, obviously arguing. Andrew and Libby are at the other side of the room, whispering quietly to one another. She’s wearing a gold mini dress that makes me think they’re planning to hit a club after dinner.
I clear my throat loudly, getting everyone’s attention.
“Everyone, you remember Eleanor, my wife. Eleanor, I think you know everyone.”
“Uh, yes,” she says shyly, “hi.”
As a murmur of greetings goes around the room, Eleanor stares at the floor. I worried she’d be overwhelmed and I may be right. Thankfully, Libby comes over to embrace her.
“You look great,” Libby says.
“So do you.” Eleanor returns the compliment.
“We’re going to the new club later. Andrew can’t stay away from the place. He loves everything you did.”
Eleanor blushes. She seems to have trouble accepting compliments. Sorcha joins us at that moment, sparing my wife the need to come up with a response.
“I’m sorry, Eleanor,” Sorcha says. “The kids aren’t always so rude.”
“They were just shy.” Eleanor is more generous than I would be. “Don’t worry about it.”
Sorcha and Libby both send pointed looks in my direction, and I realize they want Eleanor to themselves. I don’t warn her to watch what she says. Within these walls, it doesn’t matter, and I trust her to behave.
“I’ll leave you ladies to catch up.”
I walk off, heading for Aidan and Jacob first. They stop bickering as I approach.
“Whatever’s going on with you two, park it for tonight,” I warn them.
Aidan’s jaw clenches, but after a couple of beats, he nods. He doesn’t let many people get away with telling him what to do, but we’ve stood by each other’s sides since we were kids, and I have more leeway than most.
