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“I can’t promise that. Just tell me what’s up.”
“Well, damn it.” She bites her lip, winces, and then continues. “So, my grandma and grandpa want to have everyone over to their house this Saturday for the first barbecue of the season, and I told them that we’d be there, but I didn’t even check with you. I completely forgot. If you’d rather not go, I can go alone. It’s not a big deal.”
I like Sophie’s family, but I’ve never seen a family that gets together so damn much. It seems to be constant.
Yeah, I’d like a little break to catch my breath. The wedding was less than a week ago.
But I can see the hope in her eyes, and I’ll be damned if I turn her down.
“It’s fine. We’ll go.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“If you change your mind, just say so, okay?”
“I will tell you if I change my mind, but I don’t think I will.”
The ferry docks, and we return to where the truck is parked so I can drive it off the boat and onto the island, which is really beautiful.
“I love it out here,” Sophie says with a happy sigh. “Like, really love it. I used to think that I’d move out here since I can work from anywhere.”
“Now you don’t want to?”
“It’s not convenient,” she replies. “It’s a commute to the city from here, and I like the convenience of being close to everything in Seattle, including the family. But I really do love it here.”
“You could always have a vacation house here,” I reply, thinking it over as I drive through the small village. “Come on the weekends or for a week here or there.”
“Oh, that’s not a bad idea.” I can see the wheels turning in her head, and then she points to the left. “There it is. O’Callaghan’s.”
“I see it.” I find parking, and then take her hand and lead her to the door of the pub, then pull it open.
When we step inside, it’s like we’ve been transported to Ireland. Irish music plays through the speakers, and it’s exactly what I would expect a pub in Ireland to look like.
“Wow.”
“I know, right?” She laughs and waves to a man behind the bar. “Hey, Keegan!”
“Well, Sophie, me love. It’s been too long since I last laid me eyes on ye.” Keegan rushes around the bar and scoops Sophie into a hug and then turns to me with a friendly smile and his hand to shake. “I’m Keegan, the owner of this fine pub. You must be Sophie’s man.”
“I am. Ike Harrison.”
“Ike—” Keegan breaks off, the smile leaves his face, and then he stares at Sophie before turning back to me. “Well, that’s the way of it, then? I’m a big fan, Ike.”
“Thanks.”
“Come on and sit at the bar so we can have a chat.”
“I have a question for you, Keegan,” Sophie says as she takes her stool. “Does Maeve still sell real estate here on the island?”
“Aye, my sister does, yes. Are you thinking of moving over here, then?”
She glances at me with twinkling eyes and then back at Keegan.
“I don’t know. I’m just kicking around some ideas.”
Hell, if she wants a place here, she’ll have it. I’ll gladly buy it for her. We could easily sell her condo and buy a place here but live full time in my house.
Yeah, it’s a hell of a good idea.
“Would you like a Guinness, Ike? On me, of course.”
“You know, I’ve never had one,” I reply. “But I’m driving.”
“Let’s share one,” Sophie suggests. “And we’ll get food to soak it all up.”
“Shawn’s in the kitchen today,” Keegan says with a smile as he grabs a glass and begins to pull the taps. “I’ll call him out to say hi and take your order.”
“Is your father here?” Sophie asks him, and I see Keegan’s face immediately fall.
Oh no.
“He’s been a bit under the weather. He’s staying with Maeve these days, enjoying the view of the ocean and tending to her garden.”
“I always loved your parents,” Sophie says softly.
“Me, too.” Keegan winks at her and then yells back to a set of double doors. “Shawn, get your arse out here, will ye?”
The doors open, and a man, just as tall as Keegan, comes walking out of the kitchen and smiles when he sees Sophie.
“Hello, darling.” Shawn is more soft-spoken than his brother. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too. Will you make me a burger? And do you have your famous stew?”
“For you, anything.”
Chapter 17
Sophie
“Yesterday was fun.” Ike’s face is still sleepy as he turns to me in the early morning light. “I learned things about you that I didn’t expect.”
“Such as?” I turn on my side and brace my head on my hand, leaning on my elbow and smiling down at him.
“You want a house on an island.”
“Yeah, but I’m kind of picky with that.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I want an ocean view. Doesn’t have to be oceanfront, but I want the view.”
