Promising Her Forever

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Fionn

My da was adopted when he was a baby. He was born in Ireland, at a time that was hard for young, unwed mothers.

But he grew up with really great adoptive parents.

When they adopted him, they already had two children, my uncail Colin, and my aintín Finola.

Earlier this year, Da decided that he wanted to look for his biological parents.

We found them, and they’re still together, sixty years later.

We also found out my da has a biological sister, Caitríona.

She lives in Lake Renegade, Illinois, and has a family of her own.

We all took a month off and spent it in Lake Renegade.

After our vacation, my brother, Ciarán, and sister Aisling decided to move to Lake Renegade.

They’re both dentists, along with áine. But she wasn’t ready to leave our family dental practice so I stayed in Ireland with her.

Six months ago, we started talking about it and decided it was time for us to move.

When we talked to our parents, they told us that they wanted to spend more time in Lake Renegade too.

So we’ve sold our family dentistry here in Ireland to a dentist we’ve worked with before.

He lives in the neighboring town and our patients like him.

The best part is he’s agreed to keep all our staff.

As for me, I’m a police officer—here in Ireland, we’re called An Garda Síochána.

I’m a detective sergeant and I’m in the Armed & Tactical Unit.

I’ve worked hard to get to where I am at my age.

I considered staying here in Ireland, but now that all my siblings have decided to leave?

I can’t see staying here alone. I have a few more days of work and then I’m done.

“Is it weird to be excited and sad all at the same time?” áine asks as she joins me for breakfast.

“No, I feel it too. I’m excited that we’re going to be with the family, but I’m worried that it won’t be what I’m imagining. What if being a deputy there isn’t like what I do here?” I sigh as I put the food out.

“Ciarán and Aisling said how much they love it there.”

“Well, Ciarán also has Emilia now, so his opinion is not valid.” I chuckle.

“Yeah, I told him that the other day and he laughed. He said he’d love it there even if he didn’t have her.”

I laugh. “You need a ride to the office?”

áine sold her car last week, so we’ve been sharing mine. I have a buyer for it, and they’ve agreed to take it the day we leave. áine’s wrapping up all her patients today and tomorrow. Then we’ll be leaving in a few days.

“Sure, will you be done by six?”

“I should be, if not, I’ll still come get you when you’re done.”

“Thanks. I’ll be ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”

I load the dishwasher as I wait for my sister.

“Morning.” Da smiles as he joins me.

My parents passed their dental practice on to my siblings about five years ago. Since then, they’ve been enjoying their retirement together and I love that for them.

“I made extra for you and Mam.”

“Thank you, do you work today?” Da asks as he grabs some food.

“I do, I have two more days. I’m going to drop áine off and head in. I should be done before she is.”

“How are you doing with leaving? I know you were saying that you were worried about it.”

“I’m just worried that it won’t be what I’m imagining. I am excited to work with Salvatore and his crew. They’re all really good people. But I’ve just worked so hard to be where I am here. And change has always been hard for me.”

My da gets up and hugs me.

“You’re going to be great wherever you go.”

“Thanks, Da. It’s just so different than here. But, I am finally excited. They threw me a party the other day and everyone said they’d love to visit us in Lake Renegade.”

Da laughs. “A lot of our friends have been saying that to us too.”

“Saying what?” Mam asks as she and áine come downstairs.

“That they want to visit us in Lake Renegade,” I say as I grab my gear.

“Be safe,” Mam says as I hug her.

“Love you,” I say as we leave.

Two more days and I get to start my new life in America.

Riley

For some reason, I always choose the wrong fucking guys.

My bestie, Daphne, says that some day I’ll meet ‘the one.’ I think she’s delusional.

And after this last guy? I’m done. His name was Charles, but he told us we could call him ‘Playboy.’ He said he was an enforcer with a club called the Feral Raptors MC.

He’s here from England and I met him while Daph and I were out for drinks.

He was sexy and definitely my type. But his name should’ve told me the kind of person he was.

We went on two dates, the first one was okay.

The second? Holy shit, I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

He was a fucking narcissistic asshole. He spent the whole dinner talking about the women that he’s been with and how I’m lucky because he’s choosing to be with me now. I’ve since blocked his number.

Today, Daphne and I are headed to Ireland.

This will be our last trip for a while. I’m in the process of opening a coffee shop in Lake Renegade, Illinois.

I can’t wait. This has been my dream for a long time.

I had been researching different coffee beans and ways to make coffee.

Then on one of our road trips, we drove through Lake Renegade Township and I fell in love with the town.

We decided to stay there for a week and we got to know the owners of Precious Risings Bakery & Cafe.

The three women who own it are the sweetest. And they have direct ties to the founders of the town.

The history I learned from them made me want to stay there even more.

While we were there, I told them my dream of opening a coffee shop.

They said that it’s one of the businesses they don’t have there.

Before I knew it, we were discussing plans for me to open my shop next to the bakery.

There’s even an apartment above the spot that they’ve rented to me.

While I’m in Ireland, they’re going to be overseeing the finishing touches on the renovations for my shop.

I’m so excited. At first, I was a little sad about not being there for it.

But Daphne pointed out that if I wait till I come back, then I can’t open when I planned to.

So I’m trusting my new friends to make the cafe into my dream.

I stop into the bakery to grab a breakfast sandwich before I head to the airport. I knock on the front door and wave at Graínne Mancini, one of the owners.

“Morning, love.” She smiles as she lets me in.

Graínne and Caitríona Bastianini are from Ireland. And they’ve told me about some cool places to visit. I’m so excited.

“I can’t believe I’m headed to Ireland,” I say as I hug her. Caitríona and Rosaura Mancini come out to join us.

“You’re going to love Ireland.” Caitríona smiles.

“And when you get back? Espresso Joy will be ready to open. I’ve got all your equipment and inventory ready to be stocked.” Rosaura hugs me.

The one thing I’ve noticed about the families here?

They love to hug. They’re not afraid to show how much they love and care for each other.

My parents, Steven and Tilly, were like that when I was little.

They were high school sweethearts. Then my mother cheated on my dad and got pregnant.

It’s been ten years, and maybe one day I’ll ask her why, but right now I’m still angry at her for what she did to our family.

I have two older sisters, Jayde and Willa, and one younger brother, Holden.

Because I don’t talk to my mother, I don’t see our youngest sister, Maisie, at all.

Some days I feel sad about that, but I just don’t know how to fix any of it.

My siblings feel the same way I do. We’ve been here for our dad this whole time.

He found love again and got married a few years ago.

And that’s made me really happy for him.

Our stepmother, Ruby, is a great match to my dad.

She’s always smiling at him and showing him how much she loves him. I love how happy he is with her.

I finish up my breakfast sandwich and say bye to everyone. Rosaura hands me a lunch bag.

“We made a couple of sandwiches for you and Daphne. And a few pastries are in there for you too.”

“Thank you so much. You all spoil me so much. I’ll see you all in a week!”