5. Chapter Five #2
We have to circle the airport a few times, but we finally settle in for a smooth landing.
By the time we’re ready to disembark, I’ve had all I can take of every single person on the flight with me, except for the one guy at the front of the plane who slept the whole time.
I cannot escape fast enough, only to stand in line for half an hour waiting for my car that will take me to the rental property.
Fortunately, though, the driver seems more interested in singing along to music than conversing with me, except when he tells me the rate and waits rather impatiently for payment once we arrive at the cottage.
I have to drag my own luggage out of the back and fight with the cobblestone walkway, but I am comforted by the fact that everyone else I’ve met thus far has been pleasant.
Hopefully, he’s the only rude guy I encounter this week.
Once I’m sure I’m at the right place and the keypad pops open to reveal the door key, I jog back down the walkway and pay him.
I barely hand him the cash when he rolls up the window and puts the car back into drive.
“Thank you!” I yell as he speeds off the property. “Wow. I must be really terrible company.” I’m talking to myself now, so I wheel my suitcase towards the door, only now taking in the full view of this rental property, including the back area. My mouth falls open.
The light brick home is quaint, almost like a little farmhouse, with a little fenced area to one side.
There’s a patio on the rear, but it opens to a field that spills into the ocean.
The shoreline is nothing short of a miracle, and now…
now the full beauty of this island hits me at full impact.
And I want to cry, to scream over the ocean that those intrusive thoughts I had on the plane can take a leap off those cliffs, because I will trust God.
I will put my all into this adventure with Rafe.
It's freezing this close to the shore, but I’m bundled up enough to spend a moment enjoying the scenery before lugging my bag inside.
A quick glance in both directions shows two properties.
One is a little house similar to the one I’m staying in, while the other is much larger.
It’s also pretty far down the lane, so I’m positive I won’t have any interaction with its inhabitants.
The little cottage is closer, though, and there is one car parked out front.
My heart leaps a little knowing that’s probably the one Rafe is in right now.
I should tell him I’m here, even if it’s a text message that says I want to settle in and we can meet for breakfast. After all, I did just spend an eternity flying here.
I bite my lip and consider my options and settle on my previous plan. I’ll wait, freshen up, and surprise him.
With a shiver, I head towards the door. It’s a heavy wooden door with an iron handle and intricate carvings under a small, stained-glass window.
I’m pretty sure I’m never going to want to leave this house, and once I open the door, I’m fully convinced.
Inside, I dump my bag on a sofa thickly layered with wool and linen blankets.
I strip off my coat and toss it on my bag.
It’s warm enough inside, but I want a fire roaring in that gorgeous stone fireplace right away.
Kindling and logs rest in a copper bucket beside the fireplace, so I get started.
Springtime in Ireland, especially on the coast, is cooler than in North Carolina.
I’m chilly, so I pull on a lightweight sweater and glance out the window.
The sun is higher in the sky now, illuminating a whole other part of the ragged coastline.
It reminds me of the time I went on a summer vacation with the Thomas family.
The Mays sisters were there, too, and I smile thinking of how much fun we had.
The sisters are now officially Thomases themselves, while I’m staring out a window in a foreign country praying my life will make sense soon.
Just let go. Let go and let God lead.
Reminding myself to trust is difficult, but I know it’s right.
My best friend’s words echo in my mind, but trusting isn’t that easy.
The tension in my entire body has me wound tighter than a spring, so much so that I’ve found myself snapping at my loved ones for no reason at all.
I’ve been rude to my coworkers on more than one occasion, and I’m honestly grateful that Natasha hasn’t kicked me to the curb for all the times she’s had to rescue me from a failed date.
Even God’s glorious landscape cannot fill this aching need to be needed that suddenly overwhelms my entire being—mind, body, and soul. Guilt settles in, and I realize I’ve done it again. I’ve tried to see things my way instead of trusting the process.
With a sigh, I resume staring out the window.
A car door slams, breaking my moody introspection. There’s another small cottage hidden behind some rocks and trees that I didn’t see when I arrived. If I hadn’t heard the car door, I would never have known it was there at all.
“Okay, thank you again! I think I’ve got it now,” a man calls as the car in the drive backs out.
“No problem at all!” a woman calls back.
The man watches as the car backs out and turns onto the road, then he kicks a pebble and turns around.
He’s tall with dark hair, and I’m pretty sure he has a beard, but it’s difficult to tell from this distance.
He shivers and lifts his eyes to the sky, spying me staring out the window in the process.
He raises his arm high in a wave, while stuffing the other hand in his pocket.
I say a silent prayer that he doesn’t head my way, but it’s too late.
He’s already halfway through the yard and directed toward the house.
“Drat,” I whisper while I turn my back as if I hadn’t seen him heading my way. I haven’t even sent Rafe a message yet, and getting caught in a conversation with a random stranger definitely won’t help my focus.
I check the time on my phone and notice I have an email from Natasha. I’m not expecting her to check in so soon, so immediate worry floods me once again. I tap on the message and focus on the opening line. My bestie knows me well…
Luna,
Don’t panic. You’re panicking, aren’t you? Well, I said don’t. Everything here is fine. The shipment came and everything was packaged beautifully. These pieces are even more exquisite in person, and I can’t wait for you to see them.
In the meantime, I wanted to keep you appraised even though Mr. Drake insists he trusts me. I’m sure that has more to do with you convincing him than anything I’ve done. Still, I appreciate it.
Attached are pictures of the first three pieces. I wasn’t crazy about the signage for the others, so I’m having them reprinted. They were too big and overwhelmed the scene once the bowls were placed. I hope that is all right.
I also confirmed the invitations with the printers for the pre-show with the board. Don’t forget you have to finalize your speech and pick up your gown. I can pick it up for you if you need me to. I hope you’re doing well and this works out best for you and Rafe.
Love you and best wishes,
Natasha
I tap on the images she attached and agree things look good.
She’s right about the display signs, and I can’t wait to see how it looks with her new vision.
Part of me is a little jealous she got to see the pieces before me, but this, my time here with Rafe, is more important.
Yes, my job means something to me, but I’m not happy.
Not fulfilled like I thought I would be.
Once I’ve inspected all the photos, I shoot a quick email back. I totally forgot about the pre-show with the board, but I’ll have plenty of time to pick up my dress from the alterations shop when I get home.
There is one thing I don’t have, though. A date. I bite my lip and wonder if, by the time I leave Ireland, I’ll have one. There’s only one way to find out, so I take a deep breath and send Rafe a message. Short, sweet, and to the point.
I’m here. I came. Resting, and we can talk soon.
Maybe it’s too short? Does it seem abrupt? Angry? I don’t even know anymore. My brain is too scrambled from the long hours and the jet lag, so I tie my dark hair into a ponytail, add one more log to the fire, and stretch out on the sofa. Hopefully, everything will be clearer after a little nap.