Chapter 14 #2
“But if you keep on going, then what? Would you really move to Australia?”
She laughed. “We haven’t even really started dating yet.”
“Hmm, I think an all-day date like you’ve had that ends with you kissing counts as about ten normal dates.”
She bit her lip. Maybe it did. It certainly felt like they’d gotten to know each other really well today. She shrugged. “Well, I’m sure they have jobs there. Or maybe he could come here.”
Aisling’s brow creased. “But what about the castle and the Quinns? How on earth can you manage that?”
Saying “we’re trusting God'” felt a little weak right now, a little flimsy. Even if it was true. “I don’t know. But I’m trusting that if it’s of God, then He can open the right doors and close the wrong ones.”
“Even with the hoo-ha over the castle ruins?”
“Even with that.”
“Well, I hope you know what you’re in for.” Aisling sighed. “Just don’t go doing any Romeo and Juliet stuff on us, please.”
“Fine.”
Aisling half smiled. “You really felt the insta-love?”
“I really did,” she confessed.
“Wow.”
Wow. That was all she could say about this situation, too.
* * *
“Good morning.”
Aidan glanced up from his plate of bacon and eggs to see Aisling smirk at him. “So I guess you know.”
“Know what?” she challenged.
Two could play at this game. “Nothing.”
“Rude.”
“But fair,” he countered.
She stared at him a moment then laughed.
Okay. Laughter was a thousand percent better than her ripping into him as she had last night. But he’d much prefer to have someone else to do the bantering and laughing with. “Is Rory awake yet?”
“I think you wore her out.”
“Hmm. So why aren’t you out there on the desk?”
“Trying to get rid of me, are you?”
“No. I always love our chit-chats.”
“Oh my gosh, did you say chit-chats?”
“I said chit-chats.”
“Then I can see why she likes you.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Because of chit-chats?”
“Because of, oh, everything. Ah well.”
“Ah well, what?” he asked suspicious.
“I guess you can call me Ash.”
It took him a second to realise what she meant. Then he bit back a grin and nodded. “And you may call me Aidan.”
She snickered. “You’re even funny. Wow.”
“What’s so funny? That’s my name.”
She pointed a finger at him. “Treat her well, or you’ll be dealing with me.”
“I’ll treat her well because she deserves it. And because that’s the kind of man I am.”
She reared back slightly, looking faintly impressed by this, which he’d take as a win. There was no reason to let the woman think she could boss them both around.
“She’ll be down soon.” She sat on the other side of the table. “So, what are you doing today?”
“You mean besides looking for another place to stay?”
“Besides that.”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Rory is working. At the bookstore in the morning then here.”
“Then I guess I’ll be at the bookstore in the morning, then I might mosey back here.”
She half smiled. “If you didn’t insist on calling our ruined castle yours then I could like you very much.”
“I hope you’ll find it in your heart to overlook that and like me anyway.”
“Hmm. We’ll see.”
She sauntered off, leaving him to his now-cold breakfast. But he didn’t care. That exchange had felt a lot like acceptance to him.
He was disappointed when he finished his meal without spotting Rory, but it wasn’t like she frequented the restaurant in the mornings. He probably should have set up a time to meet this morning, instead of merely hoping they’d bump into each other.
But still, knowing where she would be gave plenty of options to ‘accidentally’ bump into her again.
And maybe, just maybe, they could see if the magic of yesterday could be replicated today.
Aidan entered the bookshop, his eyes going straight to the counter. “Good morning.”
Rory’s head whipped up, the shy smile she offered him filling his heart with warmth. “It is now.”
He could study her all day and never get tired. The mix of emotions fluttering through her skin fascinated him.
“Ah, Aidan.” Mary Connolly drew near. “It’s good to see you again.”
“A man can never have too many books, right?”
“Oh, you’re exactly right. Isn’t he, Rory?”
Rory’s gaze held amusement, her mobile mouth shifting. “Aidan is exactly right, yes.”
His heart skipped a beat. That intense look she gave him suggested she wasn’t just talking about his professed love of books.
“Well, it’s good to see you two have decided to lower your arms.” Satisfaction oozed through Mary’s voice.
“My arms are available for Miss Aurora any time she likes.”
Mary’s brow creased, but a ringing phone demanded her attention. Which left him and Rory, alone at last.
“Any time?” Rory asked softly.
“Any time.” He held out his arms and she stepped right in. “Good morning.”
She snuggled closer. “It really is now.”
“Did you sleep okay?”
“Eventually. There was a lot to think about after yesterday.”
“I know exactly what you mean.”
She eased away. “I might’ve spoken to Aisling about it.”
He nodded. “She might’ve let me know that this morning.”
“Of course she did.” She shook her head.
“Hey, I didn’t mind, because she seemed pretty okay with it. Which made such a huge contrast to last night that I had to come and find you and tell you.”
“You did, did you?”
Mary’s conversation on the phone continued. They had a bit more time.
“I spoke to my grandma last night.”
“How is she?”
“Doing okay. She’s excited to meet you.”
“She is?”
“Well, I might’ve not mentioned your last name.”
“Well, we’ll see how excited she is when she knows that.”
“I showed her a photo. She said you’re pretty.”
“Oh.”
“She likes your hair.” He fingered a curl that had come loose from her ponytail. “I do too.”
She was blushing again. “So, any luck with finding new accommodation?”
“I’ve got a room at the pub. Not that I plan on being there much today.”
“No? Where do you plan to be?”
He figured saying anywhere you are might sound a little creepy. So he settled for “I wondered about checking out more of the books here.”
“Did you now?”
“Then maybe having lunch with a pretty redhead I know.”
Her lips curved.
“Then maybe seeing if I could visit her at this hotel I know, then seeing if she was free for dinner.”
“I’m sure all of that can be arranged.”
“That’s okay with you?”
She nodded. “And then if you’re around tomorrow we could maybe visit church together.”
“I’d like that.”
“Me too.”
“Ahem.”
He glanced at the end of the aisle where Mary stood.
“Now, Aidan, when you get a minute I’d love to know what else you have discovered about the Quinns.”
He nodded, then glanced back at Rory. Some of the brightness in her face had faded.
And he remembered that for all their flirting they weren’t quite out of the woods yet. Not by any means. Which meant God was going to have to make a way.