Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The glorious moments of just seconds ago smashed to smithereens at that voice. She pulled away, turned to face Miles. Tried to hide her throbbing lips.
“What are you doing here?” Andy’s voice held an edge she’d never heard before.
“What are you doing here, more like.” Miles smirked, his gaze taking them both in. “Not that I really need to ask. It’s pretty obvious.”
“Then if it’s so obvious you can go away,” she said.
“Yeah, except I can’t. Not in all good conscience. Because I seem to remember something in the handbook about not having affairs with the mentor-teachers, Aisling,” he sniped.
She stiffened, as a sick feeling creased her stomach. She lowered her hand, and Andy wrapped his around it. The feel of her hand in his added reassuring comfort.
“You know neither of us are married, don’t you?” she asked. “So I don’t think that it can be called an affair.”
“It’s the same thing. It’s just a matter of semantics.”
She was surprised he knew what that word meant.
“I think you’ll find that phrasing refers specifically to the mentor teachers directly responsible for the students they are supervising,” Andy said.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
Fear stole through her. Was Miles really going to try to cause trouble? She glanced at Andy. His eyes held peace.
She drew in a breath. That’s right. God, who had orchestrated their reunion, surely wouldn’t have been taken by surprise by this. And just as she’d had that earlier sense that Andy was supposed to be hers, so a troublemaker like Miles wouldn’t stop what God could do.
“In fact,” Miles continued, “we’ll have to see what the university has to say about this. And your school principal.”
“You really want to go there, Miles?” Andy asked softly.
Lord, what do we do? A thought flashed, and she bent for her bag, subtly drew out her phone. Found the voice memo app and pressed record.
“I just don’t think it’s right that you two sneak around when it’s against the school rules.”
“As I said before, I don’t believe our relationship breaks any school rules,” Andy said softly, while her heart sang at his use of the word “relationship.”
“Well, I disagree.”
“That is your prerogative.” Andy squeezed her hand again. “But it may be of interest to know we knew each other before this teaching stint.”
Aisling nodded. “He came to the hotel in Derryloughlin and we got to know each other there.” She smiled at Andy.
He smiled back. “It felt like a miracle when I first saw you at the school.”
“Ditto.”
“Well, I don’t care. I’m telling the school, and Patrick, and—”
“Telling them what? That we knew each other before, and that while we’re not at school we’re spending time in each other’s company? I think you’ll find there’s no case to answer.”
“Are you sure?” she murmured.
He nodded. “I looked into it this week after you raised the same concerns last Friday.”
She relaxed.
“I’m afraid that’s not how others will see it,” Miles stated. “But I’m prepared to not say anything if you boost my latest grade.”
Her mouth fell open, and she could feel Andy stiffen with outrage. Yet still he remained calm, the only other outward sign that he wasn’t showing in the way his knee bounced under the table. Oh, he was good for her. She could learn a few things about keeping her temper.
“I think you should be very careful, Miles.”
“I should be very careful?” Miles snorted. “I think you two are the ones who should be careful.”
Had he been drinking? “How did you know we were here?”
“I followed you, then took photos while you were kissing. Because it’s good to have insurance.”
Sure was. She clutched her phone, hoping it had recorded everything appropriately. “Well, I hope you know that what you’re saying sounds like blackmail. And I have no problem explaining things to Patrick next week.”
“Neither do I,” said Andy, his voice still relaxed as ever.
“In fact, I’m half tempted to call him now.
” He got out his phone. “In fact, I could call him now. He won’t be pleased to get the call though, especially seeing as it’s Friday evening and he’ll feel like it’s just wasted his time.
But hey if you’re that keen to talk to him, do it.
” He slid the phone across the table to Miles.
Then leaned forward. “But I am not going to change my grade. In fact, your attitude and behaviour, both now and in previous weeks, have only solidified the fact that this is a career I think you’re grossly unsuited for. ”
“What?”
“But I’m willing to be patient, to see if you can improve. But as soon as Bryan returns I’ll be requesting the teacher mentoring returns to him. And you can have fun trying to see if he likes giving second chances as much as I do.”
Miles scowled, and maybe he was partly drunk because he murmured something incoherent, shook his head and stumbled away.
She exhaled. “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe he did that.”
“I’ve heard stories from Bryan before about some of the tricks people get up to.” His smile twisted. “At least Miles didn’t proposition me.”
Her mouth sagged. “Really?”
He winced.
“Oh!” She retrieved her phone. Checked the recording.
“You recorded that?”
She grimaced. “He was the one going on about insurance. But hey, now it looks like we have some.”
“You’re so smart.”
“I think it was God prompting me,” she admitted.
“Well, thank You God.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. This was not how I wanted tonight to go.”
“How did you want it to go?” she asked.
“Mm, more like this.” He leaned in and touched her lips with his, and soon all worries about Miles faded away as she twined her fingers in his hair and tugged him nearer.
Then she pulled back. “Like that you mean?”
He nodded. “Very much like that. And also, maybe dinner.”
“At a place that does karaoke?”
He chuckled. “Absolutely. Then maybe tomorrow you could meet my sister, seeing as I’ve met two of yours.”
“That sounds like a fair trade.” She eyed him. “You’re sure Miles won’t cause trouble?”
He nodded. “I really did check the handbook. But I’ll give Patrick a heads-up now just in case. I’m sure he’d like to know what Miles is willing to do to get a passing grade.”
Her nose wrinkled. “Is he really that bad?”
“He’s not as naturally gifted as someone else I know who keeps getting praised by the likes of Moira.”
“She’s sweet.”
“She’s a good judge of character.”
“Is she now?” Her nose bumped his.
“I am too,” he murmured, before taking her up on her invitation for another kiss.
* * *
Never had he been so thankful as when the Christmas break finally came. After the tumult of the past two months felt like it would never end, he had two weeks off and was now back in Derryloughlin.
Miles’s accusations had found short shrift with Patrick, the principal, and the university.
Especially when Aisling’s recording of the conversation had been played.
Andy had been cleared of any wrongdoing, but to limit any fallout Miles had been given to another teacher to supervise him until Bryan finally returned.
As expected Bryan was far less sympathetic to Miles’s attitude and behaviour, and had expressed his concern that Miles did not seem to possess those skills necessary to be a teacher.
By contrast, Aisling seemed to bloom, growing in confidence each week. Andy had even managed to stand in a hallway and hear her teach part of a lesson one day, until Moira spied him and shooed him on his way.
But he couldn’t help it. Aisling was amazing, and he wanted to be in her orbit as much as possible. Even his sister and parents agreed, having met her several times now.
“Oh, now Aisling is what we’re talking about,” Beth approved. “You are not allowed to let her get away again, got it? Otherwise I’ll disown you.”
So he’d done his best to ensure Aisling knew he cared, a deep sense of tender care and affection that was starting to feel a lot like love.
Which was another reason he was so glad to be here, in Derryloughlin again, while the Fairall family gathered for Rory and Aidan’s wedding.
He caught the eye of Maeve Fairall, standing next to her sister-in-law Aine, both of whom had welcomed him into the family.
The church ceremony had been sweet, but he barely noticed as he concentrated on Aisling’s face, her open-hearted enthusiasm that tugged a corresponding warmth from within him.
There was no hiding her feelings, and this vitality, coupled with her fervent kindness, only made him want to be a better man. A better man, for her.
As the minister shared some words, he tried to listen, but his mind kept looping back to this truth. He wanted to be a better man. For her. He would do anything to be a blessing in her life. She inspired him, and he loved her for it.
He loved her. Loved her for who she was, and who she inspired him to be.
And while he might never possess the assets that someone coming from this castle-owning family might expect, he knew Aisling didn’t care about that.
Her value was in people, not what they possessed.
Another fact which only made him love her more.
“You may kiss the bride.”
Andy refocused, and saw Aisling’s look of delight, before her gaze veered to find him. He placed a hand on his heart, then pointed at her, and her beam of joy sparkled more warmth through his chest. “I love you,” he mouthed.
Her lips parted, but there was no time to respond as the crowd cheered as Aidan swooped Rory in a movie-worthy embrace.
Meeting Aisling and falling in love hadn’t been part of the plan, but he didn’t care. Sometimes love made a person throw away the rulebook and do wild and crazy things.
Moments later they were walking down the aisle, and he was waiting nearby as she practically scampered down behind the bride and groom, then turned to him.
“What did you say?”
“You look beautiful.”
She waved an impatient hand. “I know that. No, before when they were kissing. You said something.”
“Hmm, I can’t quite remember.”
“Yes, you can.” Her satin-sheathed form slid close, and she wrapped her hands around his neck. “Do I need to help you remember?”
“Maybe.”
She pressed to her toes and kissed him, and he soon sank into their embrace, not caring about those around him. It was only her and him and this kiss, and this feeling that felt far more powerful than anything he’d experienced before.
“Hello, you two. It’s not your wedding day,” a voice snipped.
Fiona. He reluctantly drew back. He was starting to recognise that voice.
She of the irritable temper and snark and impatience that kind of grated on his nerves.
But then, people didn’t act that way without reason.
And from the way she kept glaring at a local man called Declan who was another guest, Andy wondered if it had something to do with him.
Andy knew better than most that relationship challenges could make a person behave in ways unlike their real self.
“Don’t mind her,” Colin said, as he placed a protective hand over his wife’s baby bump. “But maybe save those kisses for somewhere other than the end of the church aisle.”
His cheeks heated, but he nodded anyway.
He’d enjoyed getting to know Colin in recent days, and discovering his and Kara’s propensity for karaoke, especially of the 1980s variety, was just as strong as that shown by Aisling and Rory.
Fiona seemed to be the odd one out, despite her siblings’ entreaties to join in.
She seemed to want to swim a different way.
A short time later they were back at the hotel, in the hotel’s dining room. Rory and Aidan, bless them, had ensured he had a chair next to Aisling, so he was happy again to have a front row seat to the entertainment that was watching the siblings interact with each other.
“Isn’t this just beautiful?” Aisling sighed, leaning against his shoulder.
“It’s perfect.”
“It’s perfect having you here.” She grabbed his hand, pressed a kiss to his knuckles. “I’m so glad your family were happy enough to let you spend Christmas with us here.”
“I think they understood I wanted no other gift than to be in your presence.”
She laughed. “That’s so corny, but I love it.”
“I love you.”
She swiftly turned to face him. “What did you say?”
“I love you, Aisling Fairall.”
“Oh, Andy.”
The soft look on her face pushed more truth from his mouth. “You are perfect to me, and perfect for me, and I thank God that He brought me here to meet you.”
Her eyes blinked rapidly, then she threw herself into his arms. “I love you,” she whispered in his ear. “I knew it the moment I saw you, when you were looking out the window and busted me cleaning off my crumbs. It was like God said ‘this is the one I have made for you’.”
His body tingled with what felt like a core-deep truth. “Really?”
“Really.” She leaned in, met his mouth with hers. “I love you, and I can’t wait to see what God has for our future.”
“Me too,” he murmured against her smiling lips.
“Okay, okay, we get it you two.” Fiona’s voice snarked across the table. “This is supposed to be the Rory and Aidan show, remember?”
“Sorry.” Aisling winked. “Not sorry.”
The others laughed, but Fiona’s scowl only grew. He wondered if he should point out that there were plenty of photos being taken, and she might not want to look unhappy, but figured the newness of his position in this family probably didn’t warrant that kind of remark.
“So, are you two the latest in the Fairall legacy, huh?” Aidan smirked.
“The what?”
Aisling pressed into Andy’s side. “That moment when I instantly fell for you? Colin and Rory have felt it too. Our Dad did as well, and his father before that. It’s supposed to be a family tradition.”
“I see.” Or he thought he did, anyway. “A kind of instant love, right?”
“That’s right. Which is fun, except when I’m the one who has to do all the waiting until you finally realise that I am your perfect match.”
“But I know that you’re my perfect match now.”
She beamed, then glanced across the table. “Which means… the only Fairall sibling who needs to find her perfect match is Fiona.”
Fiona’s lips pressed together as she glared, then she pushed back her chair and rushed from the room.
“Oh no. I should go after her.” Aisling moved as if to follow.
“Leave her. I’ll go,” Colin said.
“I didn’t mean to upset her,” she murmured.
Andy had seen what looked like tears in Fiona’s eyes. “I don’t think it’s you. I suspect she has her own things to sort out.”
“I’ve thought that too.” Aisling sighed. “I just want her to be happy.”
“Give her time. And we’ll pray for her.”
She glanced at him. “You’re such a good man.”
“The best man?” he asked hopefully.
She laughed. “The perfect man.” She nestled closer. “The perfect man for me.”
And she tilted her lips, and he kissed her. She was proof that while a man might have plans in his heart, God’s ways prevailed over all. And he knew that this Fairall wedding would not be the last one by any means.
The end.
Stay tuned for Fiona’s story in the final book in the series, An Irish Wish