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I don’t wish ill on my brother, but I can’t help but feel a hint of glee.
As soon as the dizziness is gone, I get up and help Aidan again, reassured by his eyes on me, constantly checking I’m okay. The afternoon is thankfully less busy than the morning rush.
“Hello there, Caitlin.”
I glance up and see no other than Aidan’s brother standing in front of the stall.
“Oh, hello, Mr Byrne! Aidan didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“I didn’t know,” Aidan mumbles next to me, his gaze flicking between his brother and a blonde woman. “Sean, Siobhan, how nice of you to come.”
If I’m not mistaken, Sean just mouthed ‘I’m sorry’to Aidan.I wonder why?
“You must be Finbar Keenan’s daughter,” the woman I guess is Sean’s wife says. She wouldn’t need to use a wig while Irish dancing with her large mop of blonde curls. “I’ve heard Aidan’s beenmentoringyou this summer.”
I swallow. Her smile is kind but there’s a strange twitch to her eye.
“That’s right.”
“She’s very talented,” Aidan intercepts.
Siobhan lifts her head and peruses the images, one eyebrow slightly higher than the other. “I’m sure,” she mumbles, but then the other eyebrow rises as well. Her gaze drops to the table, swiping left and right. “These are beautiful!”
“Oh, thank you!” I’ve had industry experts praising my work all morning, but this compliment from Aidan’s sister-in-law means a lot to me. “I couldn’t have got them to this stage without Aidan’s help and guidance.” I beam up at Aidan.
I expect him to return the compliment – he’s been praising me in front of strangers all day – but instead he swallows tightly and says, “You didn’t bring the boys?”
“Didn’t think this would be the place to bring four hallions,” Sean replies. “They would for sure have homed in on the stall where they have the selection of raw diamonds and knocked the displayed over.”
“Kids do have a tendency to pick the area where they can do most damage.” I laugh. “Aidan’s told me all about the boys. They sound adorable.”
“Adorable is not a word I would use for them.” Siobhan huffs but can’t hide the love seeping from her words when talking about her sons. I want to feel such unconditional lovetoo. During the summer, Aidan and I have talked many times about how we both want kids, and it has triggered something in me. Like the biological clock, which is silly as I’m only eighteen. I grin when Siobhan continues to describe her sons. “Hell hounds. Demons. Trolls. All of the above would be more suitable.”
“How about we settle for adorable hell hounds,” I offer, and she throws her head back on a laugh.
“You’ll be a good mother, Caitlin, if you’re able to see the good in the devil’s spawn.”
“Aidan also said… um…” I abruptly stop myself.
“He said what?” Siobhan prompts.
“He-um. He said I’d be a good mother.” I blush, not used to praising myself. Surely, it’s not a good trait.
“He said, did he?”
Her gaze flicks back to Aidan and hardens. I wonder what’s going on between them. From what Aidan has told me about his brother’s wife, it never came across that they didn’t like each other. Rather the opposite, that Aidan had a lot of respect for her.
The smile around Siobhan’s mouth has stiffened, and she asks, “Will you be okay if we take Aidan for a quick coffee? There’s something I’d like to discuss with him.”
“Yes, of course!”
“I shouldn’t—” Aidan starts, but I interrupt him by placing my hand on his arm.
“It’s not that busy anymore. I’ll call you if I need you.”
Reluctantly he leaves, and they’re not even a few steps away from the stall before Siobhan is hissing in his ear, though I can’t hear the words.
32
