Chapter 12 #2
They discussed things a little longer, like where would they would live, and again Aisling felt that sense of being on the outer. Colin and Kara, and Rory and Aidan would be setting up households, forging ahead into their destinies, while she?
She bit back a sigh. The man who’d she’d thought was her destiny might’ve kissed like a dream but had made it plain he didn’t feel the same. Lord? I’m trusting You here. Please help me find some peace, and make a way.
“So, teaching, huh?” Colin said to Aisling later. “I have to admit, that came as a bit of a surprise to me.”
“I think it makes sense. Aisling will be one of those teachers who gets everyone excited about the subject, rather than the type that makes one fall asleep.”
“Thanks, Kara. That’s really nice of you to say that.”
“I mean it. You’re a natural. You have this quality of enthusiasm which makes people get on board, so you’ll do really well.”
Aisling hugged her. “You’re so sweet.”
“Yes I am,” Kara murmured with a straight face.
“Oh, you’ve got a good one here,” Aisling said to Colin. “If you weren’t already married then I’d say I definitely approve.”
“I know.” He winked at Rory. “And Rory has a good one there.”
“It’s true.”
And Aisling?
Her heart hovered at the head of the hallway of resentment.
Aisling had a good man nowhere. Except she had a good God, so she’d have to learn to trust in Him instead.
* * *
“And he’s back!”
Andy accepted the hugs from his parents, and Beth and her family, who were back after travelling in the north. Thank goodness for the past few days to have a chance to recalibrate, get his emotions under control. “Good to see you.”
“And you,” Beth said. “How was Kerry?”
“It was grand.”
“Was it awkward at all, staying at the hotel you were supposed to honeymoon at?”
Trust Beth to go there. “It was nice. No, not awkward at all.”
“You sure? I ran into Grady at the shops and he mentioned that you seemed a little down since coming back.”
“I think we all know to take what Grady says with a pinch of salt.” He had to change the subject. Quick. “How have your holidays been?”
“Ah, we had a lovely time in Donegal. I can thoroughly recommend it. Even if it means staying with the in-laws and being a little cramped.”
His mind flicked back to the Castle Griffin Hotel. And the fact that whoever married Aisling certainly wouldn’t feel cramped if they had to stay there. Then realised that unless it was him, that would be another man’s privilege.
His heart pinched.
“What’s that look for? You worried about returning to school?”
“No. It’ll be fine. I can’t believe it’s only a couple more weeks to go.”
“Time flies if you’re having fun. So obviously you had a lot of fun.”
“Obviously,” he muttered.
“Well, didn’t you?” Beth demanded.
Honestly, there were some times when his sister reminded him of Aisling.
Or was it the other way around? No. He shook his head.
He wouldn’t let himself be distracted by her.
He’d made a vow to God to stay focused on Him.
And that meant not letting a cute redhead with sass and smiles steal his focus.
He was glad for the distraction of his nephew as the conversation turned once again. Little David was starting big school, so Andy was invited to share what limited knowledge he had about what to expect in primary school.
“See, Davy? I told you there’s nothing to be worried about,” Beth assured her son. “Oh, I bumped into someone else recently. You’ll never guess who.”
Judging from the face she made, he had a fairly good idea. “Why don’t you tell me?”
“Greta.” Beth’s face contorted like she’d just eaten poison. “She was not looking her best self, can I say?” Her smile held satisfaction. “She asked after you. I obviously said you had moved on, and—”
“Why did you say that?” he asked quickly.
“Because I didn’t want her thinking that you still cared.”
“But I don’t have to have another girlfriend to convince anyone I’ve moved on, do I?”
“Well, it is a wee bit more convincing than constantly telling people you’re fine.” She studied him. “And maybe I’m misreading things, but something is telling me that you’re not really that fine, are you?”
He pressed his lips together.
“Oh, and there it is. What’s happened? No, for real. Did something happen in Kerry?”
He glanced away. Not answering meant she would keep teasing him until he replied with an answer she felt satisfactory. But he didn’t want to lie. “Look, I might have met someone, but it didn’t really work out.”
“How can it have worked out? You were only there for—what, two weeks? Less than?”
He shrugged. He still didn’t want to explain the ins and outs of his non-relationship with Aisling. “She was nice, but it’s just not the right time.”
“Excuse me. Of course it’s the right time. If Greta is about to start sniffing around again, then it’s exactly the right time.”
His stomach tensed. “You don’t honestly think Greta is going to try again, do you?”
“There is no saying what that woman wouldn’t do. We’ve all seen the way she flips from one thing to another.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a solid no from me. I’d be happy to never see her again. I just want to dedicate this time to God.”
“Oh. You’re turning into a monk, are you?”
“What? No.”
“Then maybe you should cut yourself some slack and just go with the flow once in a while.”
Going with the flow was what had gotten him into so much trouble with Greta in the first place.
He’d gone with the flow, not gone with what God wanted.
He’d dated someone his family had objected to, someone who had possessed an unnerving ability to distract him from his training, from his focus.
And look how that had turned out. They’d been right, and now his family would forever hold that over him.
He wondered what his family would make of Aisling…
At least she was a Christian, and didn’t seem the sort to deliberately lead him astray.
He silently groaned. So much for not thinking about her.
It was just as well that school term was going to begin very soon.