Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
R ory checked her phone for what felt like the umpteenth time.
She’d sent Aidan a message two hours ago, but he still hadn’t replied.
He must be feeling disappointed right now.
Maybe that’s why he hadn’t responded. He didn’t want her rubbing salt in his wounds.
And the fact he hadn’t made her worry that perhaps the perfect fairy tale wouldn’t be hers, after all.
How could it? Not when her perfect prince lived so far away.
And he was returning to Australia on Sunday.
For a moment fear streaked through her. Would he even see her again? Or would the disappointment be so intense that he’d prefer not to see her all, and think any relationship would be simply too hard?
“Rory?” Her mother glanced at her. “You look tired. How about you go outside and get some fresh air? Take Rover with you.”
“But I’m supposed to be on the desk.”
“Never mind that. I’ll cover things here for a while.” Mam smiled. “It’s going to be okay. He’ll call.”
“How did you know that’s what I’m concerned about?”
“Because I was there when you sent that first message and I saw your disappointment when you didn’t get an immediate response.”
“What if he blames me, blames us? I couldn’t live with myself. What if he now hates me?”
“Oh, I don’t think that man hates you. I’m sure it’s quite the opposite. Now go. Get some fresh air. Pray.”
She pressed against a headache she could feel forming, sipped her water, then clicked for Rover to come. “Let’s go for a walk, boy.”
He barked in agreement, and she clipped on his lead and went outside. But she didn’t want to encounter people. She wanted the breeze and the waves and the last of the lavender scenting the air. Her mother had a patch of it near the private garden, just up from the beach, and Rory took Rover there.
Then stood, eyes closed, and breathed in the delightful blend of sea-salt and lavender.
Rover barked, no doubt spying a butterfly or something, so she kept her eyes closed, enjoying the moment of respite.
That’s right. God was still in control. She didn’t need to feel agitated. She just needed to trust Him.
“Lord, help me to trust You. In the good times and the bad. Lead me on. And please bless Aidan, wherever he is.”
Aidan. She smiled. Her family was right.
He was a good man. And while she might’ve felt an instant recognition of him as being her Mr. Right, getting to know him more had only shown how right he was.
The fact he was willing to overlook her initial brattiness proved his patience.
And she loved his sense of humour, his faith, his love of family, his compassion for others and sense of justice.
All of these things only proved how right he was.
And then there was his kiss… Oh she hoped she might experience that one more time at least.
The trace of lavender faded, replaced with that of sea-salt and spice. Her heart thudded. She recognised that scent.
She opened her eyes. Then blinked. Rubbed them. Was this her imagination or real?
“Hello Rory.”
It sure sounded like him. “Aidan?”
He smiled. “Who do you think I am?”
She took a step toward him. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, I got a message from your mum that you were desperate to see me so I thought I’d better come see you.”
“Mam contacted you?”
“That she did.”
When? How? Oh, she didn’t care. She needed to clarify something first. Her cheeks heated. “I wasn’t desperate.”
He arched a brow.
“Okay, maybe a little bit.”
He laughed, and swept her close. “I was desperate, even if you weren’t.”
She held him, face snuggled against his white linen shirt, breathing in the solid familiarity of him. “You’re not mad at me?”
“How could I be?”
“Because things didn’t turn out the way you wanted.”
“Some things, maybe. But others...” He drew back, studying her.
Her heartbeat picked up. “What is it?”
“Other things have worked out beyond anything I could have imagined. Even if…”
“Even if what?”
“Even if, at times, you seem like you’ve been a little confused about me. Us. This.” He gestured between them.
She glanced down, knowing she had to be honest. “I have been confused,” she confessed.
“I met you and felt this instant sense of connection but then I tried to hide it because it was overwhelming and didn’t make sense.
I couldn’t understand how I could like this man who is seeking to destroy my family’s legacy. ”
“You know I never wanted to destroy your family’s legacy. I only wanted to help my family.”
“At the expense of mine,” she murmured.
“That was never my intention.” He moved closer. “And I have to admit it might not have been instant, but I quickly found myself unable to stop thinking about you.”
“Really?”
At his nod, she lifted a hand, placed it on his chest. His heart was beating fast.
He placed his hand over hers. “I know there’s a lot to figure out, but I think this is worth figuring out. Don’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered as his face drew closer to hers. Then his lips descended on hers in a sweet, perfect moment.
Oh. She had experienced her fair share of kisses in the day, but this kiss was unlike any she had known before. It was still respectful, but his intent was very clear. He kissed like a man, like someone who knew what he wanted. And what he wanted was her.
Then his hands slid around her waist, and hers stole around his neck, and she kissed him with the hunger borne from knowing he’d be leaving soon. Knowing they’d need to say all they could in this time together that remained.
The hunger soon eased into soft tenderness. Even though miles would separate them soon, she could trust this man, this good man, and she could trust her Heavenly Father too. Who had good plans for her. And who had good plans for Aidan too.
He drew back, studying her. “Was that a hello kiss or a goodbye one?”
She leaned back in his arms. “That was an Irish kiss, so you’ll want to come back as soon as you can.”
“As if I’d stay away a second longer than I have to.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” His mouth curved. “Of course, you could always come visit me. I can talk to my friend about a job in IT.”
“I’ll think about it. It wouldn’t be for a little while.”
His forehead rested against hers. “How long is a little while?”
“After Christmas at least. My brother told me today he plans on popping the question to his girlfriend, and he wants the family here to welcome her into the family fold, so to speak.”
“That sounds really special.”
“It will be so special, because Kara is so sweet.” She studied him. “You… you could come too, if you wanted.”
His eyes shadowed. “A lot depends on how Gran is feeling.”
“How is she?” she asked.
“She’s doing okay. I spoke to her today, and she’s a little disappointed about the result, but able to see a silver lining.”
“What’s that?”
“That her grandson is happier than he’s ever been.”
“Is that so?”
“Very so.”
“And why is that?” she dared.
“Hmm, it might be because he’s finally in love.”
Her heart might break her ribcage it was thumping so hard. “In love?”
His chin dipped, his eyes steady on her. “I know it’s quick, but I agree with my Gran, and really feel like God has worked through this situation so I could meet you and love you.”
When he said such things there was really only one thing to do. So she did it. And he responded just as eagerly.
“You know how I once said I think I could quite like you?” She murmured against his lips.
“I remember.”
“I was wrong.”
“Really?”
She smiled. “I love you, too.”
And as the sky filled with the first pink and gold streaks of the setting sun, she kissed him again, thanking God for the unique quirk of the Fairall legacy, and knowing that He could be trusted with all that was to come.
* * *
Want to see who catches Aisling’s heart? Then stay tuned for Aisling’s story in An Irish Hope .