Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
T ravelling around the Irish countryside with an Australian man who possessed more charm than was good for him was definitely not good for her. Why she’d said yes to this crazy scheme was a mystery. Any thought of finishing today with her heart intact seemed impossible.
He’d been too easily pleased with her offerings. And yes, they might’ve included a few token touristy things. Just as she’d thought he’d appreciated seeing an ancient stone fort, and an ivy-choked castle near the cliffs of Kerry, which he’d described as wilder than anything he’d seen in Australia.
“They’re definitely higher than the cliffs you see on the Great Ocean Road. And I can’t get over how sharp the rocks look. Like dragon’s teeth.”
She liked how he said whimsical things like that.
“It’s limestone and siltstone, part of the rugged natural beauty you’ll find in the wild Atlantic way in the west coast of Ireland,” she’d said, as the wind whipped her hair across her face.
He’d drawn a hand across and captured her hair, holding it as she snagged it up in a ponytail. “I really like the natural beauty found in the west coast of Ireland.”
She’d blushed, and he’d smiled, like he’d wanted that reaction.
And maybe she was gullible, but it felt rather wonderful to have a man she liked say such sweet things. Even if the idea of anything more than friendship seemed too hard.
They’d made it as far north and west as Dingle, then a little further on to a stone restaurant, suitably called the Stonehouse Restaurant, where they had lunch.
To sit there in the sun, watching the blue ocean with the Blasket Islands in the distance, enjoying life and the attentions of a handsome man, was enough to make her think there was a chance.
They drove back along the road that had taken them through Killorglin and the rugged hills and valleys, reaching Ballinskelligs Bay then climbing the steep pass before dropping down to the picturesque village of Caroll’s Cove.
As they stood on the beach, she wondered just where today’s trip had taken them.
To friendship, certainly. But more?
“What are you thinking about so seriously?” he asked, as they walked along the sand.
“Have you enjoyed today?”
“It’s been perfect. The weather was perfect.” He gestured to the skies, where the first streaks of pink were filling the skies. “All the places we saw were fascinating. And it goes without saying that the company is perfect.”
She bit her lip.
“There. That’s the look. What’s going on?”
She peeked at him, then gestured to the setting sun. “If you want something to eat, the kitchen closes soon, so we should order.”
“Sure, let’s do that then.”
They walked back, and a waiter found them a table by the window overlooking the beach, sea and distant mountains.
They ordered drinks and a seafood platter, which was soon served, with oysters, local fish, salmon, mussels in a white wine sauce, served alongside freshly baked brown bread.
And along the way they talked more about their jobs and their passions.
“So, I’m curious about you, Miss Aurora Fairall.”
Her heart fluttered, as it always did when he said her name like that, with a twinkle in his eye. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, you seem to be a woman of many talents. Bookshop keeping, hotel management, stranded kayak rescuer—is there anything you can’t do?”
“Clearly you don’t know me very well.”
“Clearly I want to rectify that.” His smile was an invitation.
Very well, then. “So I studied Digital Humanities and IT at university—”
“Really? Wow.”
“It sounds fancier than it is.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I bet it had some challenging moments.”
“Well, I discovered I definitely lean more towards the humanities side than the IT side. I’m like Aisling in that way.
She’s studying Humanities in Cork too. Managed to get all her classes scheduled on just a few days, which means she can come help at the hotel.
Since my dad died we’ve all had to help with running things there.
” She sipped her water. “But since I graduated I’ve also struggled to figure out what to do with my life.
I do enjoy the hotel and the bookshop, but I’d like to use my skills in other ways. ”
“In what ways?”
She smiled shyly. “I volunteer for several community organisations and do their social media and things. I’d love to do more work in that space, but maybe get paid for it.”
“A worker is worthy of being paid.”
“I’d just like to do something that feels a little more meaningful than helping customers find a book or helping guests with their requests.”
“Any job can be meaningful. God can use us anywhere.”
“I know that. But I guess I’ve just felt this sense of frustration not knowing what it is that God might want me to do.”
“But in the meantime you’re being used by Him while you wait for the next thing.”
“True.” His words eased some of the angst within.
“Like when you rescued me yesterday.”
“Anyone could have done that.”
“But not just anyone did. Only you.”
She bit her lip, glanced down. Why did he have to be so sweet? She forked in her last prawn. Oh, it was good.
“So, Aisling is studying Humanities. Do you have other siblings too?”
She nodded. “My other sister, Fiona, is the eldest. Colin is next, and he heads up the Killorglin group.”
“Killorglin, like the town we passed through today?”
“The very same.” Where her father had grown up. Should she mention what they did? But if she didn’t, then it felt like she was leaving things unsaid that probably needed to. She drew in a breath for courage. “It’s an investment company that deals with hotels and things.”
“So your brother is a businessman.”
“Yes.” She quickly sipped her water. “Fiona is also in business, but is based in Dublin. She doesn’t come home very often.”
“I know what that’s like. My sister lives in Melbourne so I don’t see her as much as I’d like.”
“But your grandmother lives near you?”
He nodded. “It’s one of the reasons I took the job that I did, in order to be near her.”
Aww, so sweet. “And your parents?” He’d never mentioned them.
“Yeah.”
“What is it?”
He winced. “It’s not a pretty story so I don’t like to share too much.”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want.”
“But if we’re getting real then I think I want to.” He drew in a breath. “My dad killed my mum.”
“What?”
“Catrina and I were pretty young, so we didn’t know the violence had been going on some time. Mum tried to protect us from that, or so Gran told us later. Gran basically raised us from when I was seven.”
She reached across, touched his hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, it’s not pretty. He went to jail, then died in there a few years back. But what he did motivated me to study law and do what I can to help women in that kind of situation. That’s my job now. Helping women deal with domestic violence through legal means.”
“Wow. That is such an important job.” Her heart panged. “I’m so sorry about your mother, though.”
His chin dipped. “It’s not something I talk about a lot, but I’m glad God can use even the most awful things for His purposes. I’m always glad to see women set free from that cycle and know what happened to me has led to some of that result.”
“God can work all things out for our good.”
He nodded, and dug into his fish.
Her heart, already softened towards him, only melted into deeper attraction.
He was a good man, despite his sufferings.
He loved his family, and it was no wonder he felt passionately about righting injustices.
After what he’d gone through, she couldn’t blame him.
Discovering all they had in common felt like they were twining ever closer to real friendship.
He motioned to the last piece of bread. “Would you like this?”
“No. I’m so full.”
He dunked it in the last of the sauce and ate it. She forced her gaze away from his lips.
He swallowed. “That’s just so good. You won’t hate me if I say this is my favourite meal in Ireland, will you?”
She smiled. “It’s delicious, right?”
“So good. Now the only problem is how I’m going to choose from the apple crumble or the cheese platter.”
“Does that really need to be a choice?” she mused.
“You’re right. We should get both.”
“Wait, I didn’t mean that,” she said, laughing.
“That’s more like it,” he said. “I like it when you laugh.”
Oh, how could she ask what he meant by all this flattering attention? She couldn’t.
As he ordered both desserts she sipped her drink, staring out at the now-dark view which saw distant lights twinkling on the water. Lord, if this is something that is from You, You’ll need to show me how this can work.
“So.” His word drew her attention back to him. “So what are you thinking about so seriously?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know how to say it.”
“Just say it,” he said in a low voice.
“Okay. Well, I’ve enjoyed today.”
“So have I. It’s been amazing.” He smiled. “I feel like I’ve gotten to know you so much better.”
“I feel the same,” she said shyly.
“And I don’t know how you’re feeling, but I’m feeling like this is a good base for the future.”
Future? The word shimmied like a star through her soul. He was talking about the future? But… “That’s the problem.”
“What is? The future?”
She nodded. “I… I don’t know what you mean about a future. Because we don’t live in the same country, so it feels like all of this,” she gestured between them, “is stirring up things that perhaps should be better left unstirred.”
“You feel it too?”
Too? Her heart thudded. So he did feel something for her. This wasn’t as one-sided as she’d feared. It was enough for her to find her courage and plant her feet in honesty and say, “I… I feel like I could quite like you,” she admitted.
His lips curved higher on one side. “I feel like I could quite like you, too.” He leaned closer. “I feel like I already do.”
“But you can’t,” she blurted. “You’re leaving soon. Tomorrow, right?”
His nose wrinkled, and he sat back in his chair. “Do I have to?”