Chapter 9
9
Ciaron
A s we walked to the pub, Taylor’s gaze drifted down to my wrist, a bewildered smile on her face.
“I’ve got a couple of things I need to do and then we have the next two days for us,” I said. I stopped in front of a two-storey brick building painted dark green and black. “Welcome to The Shamrock.”
Taylor stared up at the building and smiled. “I can’t wait to see inside.”
“It’s nothing special.” I didn’t want her to get her hopes up that this was some upmarket bar. It was a simple Irish pub. There was nothing upmarket about where I worked, where I lived, or about me.
Her warm brown eyes regarded me. “It’s a big part of your life. That’s what makes it special.” She kissed my cheek softly.
I pushed the heavy door open and led Taylor inside where it was all wood—panelling, bar, tables. And even though it was dark, the wood shined in the warm light. A few regulars sat at the bar. William, my boss, was pulling a beer. He gave me a wave when he saw me, and then his eyes settled on Taylor. His face was a mask, but I knew him well enough that his eyes gave him away. He was surprised that I was bringing a girl in with me. He’d be surprised as hell when I tell him she’s the girl I was going to marry.
She had doubts and fears and so did I. But I knew to have a future with her, I’d have to move to Australia. And I was OK with that. Because a future with Taylor was more than I could make for myself in Ireland. She was everything.
I led Taylor to two stools at the end of the bar. William wandered down to speak to us.
“William, this is Taylor, my fiancée. Taylor, this is my boss and friend, William.”
William reached his big hand across the bar. “Nice to meet you, Taylor.”
Taylor shook his hand. “Thank you, you too.”
His attention returned to me, questions etched all over his face.
“Do you think I can take a couple of days off?” I asked. “Taylor is only here for another two days.”
“Sure, sure. You have plenty of time owing to you.” He glanced between us. “And when Taylor leaves, what then?”
“I’ll be getting things in order and moving to Australia.”
William gave a low whistle. “You’ll be leaving the boys behind with your mother?”
Guilt didn’t just stab me in the heart, it was a frenzied killer striking blow after blow across my body.
I nodded. “I’m going to get some things sorted for them. You know that money I have in the safe? I need to grab some of that today. Then can you keep the rest for them in case they need it?”
“Aye.”
“If something happens at home, can they come here until I sort things out for them?”
I knew he would say yes. This was practically their second home. They’d spent hours here with me, even Tommy, who was only five. But still, that’s when they were here with me. Not when they were here alone.
“Of course.”
Relief rushed through me. “Thank you.”
William set his hands in front of him on the bar. “You go grab that money. Taylor and I will wait here for you.”
I glanced at Taylor. She nodded and gave me a smile.
“OK. I’ll call the school while I’m in the office to speak to Seamus. I want to let him know I won’t be home tonight and how to contact me if he needs to.” I stood and made my way to the office. When I looked back, William’s face was stern as he spoke to Taylor.
* * *
I came out of the office and Taylor stood on the foot railing and reached across the bar to kiss William on his cheek. The man was dumbfounded. She whispered something in his ear, and he took her hands in his and nodded. When I reached them, he let her go and she joined me.
“Safe travels, Taylor,” William said.
“Thank you.”
He gave me a wink as we made our way outside.
“What was that all about?” I asked Taylor.
“William was looking out for your virtue. I reassured him it was safe with me.”
“Is that what you were doing in the shower this morning? Looking out for my virtue?”
She held my hand. “As your future wife, I will continue to look out for your virtue exactly like that.”
“And when we’re married?”
“It will be even better.”
“Hmmm.”
“Where are we going now?” she asked.
“To buy you an engagement ring.”
I glanced at Taylor, and she smiled at me. Everything inside me paused—my heart, my blood, my brain. Her smile broadened. And then it all came rushing back, like she could stop and start the world for me. I could hardly believe that one needy, desperate, crazy kiss had led to this.
I directed her to the nearest jewellery store. We wandered around looking at the rings. Some were way out of my price range. There wasn’t enough money in the safe to cover the cost of those.
An assistant in a blue skirt and white shirt approached us. “What are you here for today?”
“An engagement ring,” I said.
“This is the best part of my job.”
Taylor stopped at a small display of rings and pointed. “I want that one.”
It was a Claddagh ring. And was probably the most inexpensive ring in the shop.
“Don’t you want a diamond ring?” I asked.
“Diamonds are more common for engagement rings,” the assistant said.
Taylor shook her head and said to me, “If it’s good enough to be on your body, it’s good enough to be on my hand.”
The assistant got it out and went to hand it to Taylor.
Taylor grinned at me. “You know, you haven’t asked me yet.”
“I thought telling you five minutes after I met you made it pretty clear.”
“Still, a girl likes to be asked. It’s a once in a lifetime thing.”
The wide-eyed assistant handed the ring to me instead.
I knelt on one knee and peered up at Taylor. I took a deep breath. Better not fuck up this once in a lifetime thing. I held up the ring. “Taylor Longmire, I knew from the moment I saw you that you were the only one for me. Will you marry me?”
She grabbed my outstretched hand, ring and all, and dropped to her knees. “Yes, a million times yes, Irish Boy.”
She flung her arms around my neck and kissed me. I held her tight, savouring her sweetness. In the background, the assistant clapped.