Chapter 2
We stayed busy right up until the funeral, baking and boxing up the fruits of our labor for the luncheon.
We visited the flower shop together to select the casket spray and a few other arrangements for the service.
The florist had insisted that people would send flowers as a show of respect, and that there would be an enormous amount of flora dominating the viewing space.
Together, the four of us compiled a list of local churches and retirement homes to donate the flowers.
We touched base with vendors, and the college to finalize the food order.
My aunt forced us to sit down and preview the slideshow she created, which caused a crying session that none of us wanted, but probably all of us needed. We were already exhausted by the whole ordeal, and the day of the funeral had only just arrived.
The viewing and service went by in a long, excruciating blur.
It’s amazing how everything around you is in motion, and conversations are being had, yet nothing sticks.
So many people wanted to share their memories of my grandfather; he was admired by so many.
The funeral drew more people than any funeral I had ever been to.
Hundreds showed up at the luncheon. The students who were close to him crafted a montage showcasing faculty and members of the student body sharing stories and paying homage to his legacy.
I mingled among the sea of faces, exchanging hugs and sentiments.
He had known so many people, and I only knew a fraction of them.
As I stood in the corner nursing a glass of wine, I caught sight of my cousin approaching.
She looked absolutely joyful and was dragging a rather handsome man along by the lapel.
She began to wave at me when she noticed that I had seen her.
“Jos! You’re not going to believe who I found.”
As they drew closer, memories clouded my brain.
I knew exactly who this man was, but I hadn’t laid eyes on him in years.
He was different from the last time I saw him.
Broader, taller, no longer a boy; Ronan had grown up.
His flaming red hair was longer on top and faded into a close shave nearer to his neckline.
His skin was tanned with a limited number of freckles.
His full beard only added to his rugged handsomeness.
He wore a very pale gray, plaid suit with a black dress shirt and no tie.
As they closed the distance, his smile was wide, and sexy as hell; just like the rest of him.
“Joslyn! Look who it is!”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Ronan! I haven’t seen you in so long!”
The large man wrapped me in a hug, and I felt my feet leave the floor as he lifted me. I could feel the firmness of his body as he squeezed me against him. I inhaled his cologne; the scent was intoxicating. At one time, I used to have the biggest crush on him.
My cousin smiled at me and disappeared into a small crowd of people, no doubt trying to give us some time to catch up.
“Well, since I ’ave naught seen ye in twelve years, I thought I better make de trip to share me condolences. I am so sorry fer yer loss, Joslyn. Ray was one o’ me favorite people; it’ll naught be the same without ’im.”
“Did you see him often?”
“Every time ’e was in Ireland we spent time together. Ye, on de other hand, I ’ave naught laid eyes on since we were kids.”
“Yeah, I believe I was fourteen the last time I was in Ireland. It was one of my favorite places in the world to be. I loved being there; going swimming, exploring the woods, riding my bike all over and getting into a little bit of trouble on occasion. Usually with you, if I remember correctly. I used to have the biggest crush on you.”
“How did I naught know dat?” The surprise on his face was real.
“I have no clue how you didn’t know; I followed you everywhere. Boys tend to be oblivious when it comes to girls. Besides, I was fourteen and you were eighteen; even if you had known, it’s not as though it would have made any difference. You looked at me like a little kid.”
“Naught like ye continued to come around. So, I guess dat means dere was no way fer it to make a difference.” His smile was flirtatious.
“Maybe de luck o’ de Irish will smile on me, and ye will be making a trip to Ireland soon.
Wit dis new information; maybe things would be a little different dis time.
” I could feel my cheeks go hot, and I was silently cursing my body for betraying me.
“So, no getting lost all afternoon in the woods? No ice cream cones, bike rides, swimming, or any of the other stuff we used to do together?” I said, teasingly.
He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “We can still get lost in de woods all afternoon; but Joslyn, we are naught kids any longer. Besides, I may ’ave a newfound crush of me own.
” He smiled wide, and I was unsure how to respond.
Right now, I was just trying to keep myself from blushing—and failing miserably.
“We have to meet with the lawyer to find out what is being done with the properties, including the one in Ireland. There may very well be a trip to Ireland in my near future.” I smiled back at him with as much confidence as I could muster.
“Den, I will look forward to ’earing from ye.
It is going to be a lot less exciting in Ireland without ye grandfather.
I wish I ’ad more time ’ere, in de States, but I ’ave to fly back in a few hours.
I will stop dominating ye time and let ye get back to ye guests—of sorts.
It was great to see ye again, Joslyn. I do ’ope I will lay eyes on ye again very soon. ”
He opened his arms, and I hugged him for a second time. He kissed my cheek and loosened his grip. In the space between us, he whispered, “I really am so sorry about Ray.” His smile was sympathetic this time.
“Thank you, Ronan. It was so nice of you to make the trip. I’m so glad I had the chance to see you.” He turned and made his way through a crowd of people, disappearing from view. I finished my wine and made my way to the bar for a refill.
For the rest of the day, I was, for the most part, numb.
Just kind of going through the motions and trying to put on a smile.
Even though I was so happy to see Ronan again, the loss of my grandfather was front and center.
His pictures were everywhere, and he was, of course, all anyone wanted to talk about.
A few people had mentioned items that were in my grandfather’s private collection when he died.
They were wondering what the family had planned for his collection of artifacts.
I tried, as best as I could, to deflect the questions with grace, but some inquiries were quite bold.
These were some of his most prized possessions; I cannot speak for anyone else in my family, but I was not in any hurry to part with his things—especially without going through them first myself.
After hours of trying to maintain a calm, accommodating demeanor with people, my patience was beginning to wear thin.
I excused myself from a group of stuffy museum curators and headed toward the ladies’ room.
I was almost at the door when a very handsome gentleman exited the men’s room.
He held my gaze as he passed by, nodding and smiling as he buttoned his suit jacket.
I had suddenly forgotten that I had to use the restroom at all.
“Hey, how did you know Ray?” I was shocked by my boldness. The attractive stranger stopped and turned around; he looked at me curiously.
“Ray and I were quite good friends, for quite some time. We worked together frequently.” He began moving back in my direction.
“I’m sorry, I just feel like there are a lot of vultures in that room, and I knew and loved the man. They just want his stuff.”
“The show is almost over, Joslyn. Then you can be done with everyone and fall apart in private.”
Wait, he knew my name?
“I didn’t tell you, my name,” I said, looking into his eyes.
“You didn’t need to.” The most amused, and sexy grin crept across his face.
“I didn’t catch your name.” I smiled in return, with my heart racing.
“That’s because I didn’t tell you.” His smile widened as he backed away a few steps, then turned and walked away completely—still smiling.
“Fuck my life right now,” I whispered to myself as I entered the restroom, remembering that I had to pee.
* * *
The four of us went back to the house after the funeral; unloaded everything and didn’t stop moving until we had all the food stowed away.
Collapsing onto the couch the mental and emotional exhaustion set in.
We sat there for a long time, basking in the comfort of the house.
I believe we were collectively thanking our lucky stars that we didn’t have to hear another, “I’m sorry” or “He will be missed.” Finally, I mustered enough energy to get up from the couch.
“I am going to change into something more comfy.”
I wanted the solace of my sweats and cotton tee. That, and a little bit of sugar in my life might make a world of difference. Upstairs, I finished changing out of my dress clothes and into my lounge attire. I made my way back downstairs and shuffled into the kitchen.
Examining all the leftover cake that we had set on the counter, I was having trouble deciding.
There was chocolate, coconut, lemon, and strawberry cake to choose from.
I pulled a serving tray from a cupboard nearby and placed multiple pieces of each on it.
I fished four forks out of the drawer and snagged a few napkins from the counter.
With a tray full of cake and utensils, I returned to the living room.
Upon entering the room, I noticed my cousin was missing.
My aunt and mother were sipping wine in their pajamas on the large sectional.
I set the array of cake down onto the coffee table for the taking.
“Did Char go to change?”