Page 24 of Knot that Simple

“Yeah, you look great.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. I was flushed and dressed in too many layers, but his eyes on me made me feel feverish. From the back of my knees to the tip of my ears, I felt warmth enveloping my body. He finally stepped back, dislodging a long sigh out of me.

Tadgh explained the car they picked up was a rental, and now, we were taking their real truck. I followed them outside, Alice and me with Oisin while Lorcan had Tadgh.

The sun dipped on the horizon, tinting the sea in orange, pink, and red. I kept my eyes glued to the window watching the pretty colors dancing in front of my eyes.

This place, this life, belonged to us. I just needed to grab what was in front of me.

What was alreadymine.

Swallowing dryly, I chanced a look at Oisin, watching his handsome profile. He was so kind, soft, and very masculine at the same time. There was something in the way he talked, how he took up place as the peacemaker, that made me relate to him too much. I just hoped the instinct came from his personality and not trauma like mine.

“You’re okay?” he asked, feeling my eyes on him.

I shook my head and looked away. “Yes, of course.”

The reality was, I was never better, and that was the scariest thing in the world. I was an expert on how to survive the worst life could throw at you, but happiness? No one ever taught me that.

We drove to the port, and Alice jumped out of the car the second Oisin opened it for her. She was so excited, pointing to every single thing we crossed. I had to learn to be like my kid and just accept the good in life.

Their boat was just like I imagined: big enough for the three of them but still modest, painted bright red with finishing gear sticking out to the side.

Tadgh helped us in and then gave us vests to put on, showing us everything, including finding a comfortable seat to wait while they worked on getting us moving.. They put the fishing stuff away, and Tadgh set a table with some snacks they’d packed in a cooler.

The sky was a beautiful purple and pink color now. I breathed out and tried to relax, holding Alice, just enjoying the view.

Until we saw a dolphin.

She gasped, practically jumping from my hold. She was so excited, I was scared she was going to jump into the water, and I held her back a little.

“Hey there, calm down,” I said to her in Portuguese.

“Mom, Mom!” She wasn't listening to me.

I giggled, and Oisin came to my aid, holding a hand out to Alice. She took it quickly, anything to get closer to the dolphins. With Oisin with her, they moved closer to the rails, her eyes like saucers as she watched the dolphins dance.

“Sometimes, we can see whales too,” he told her.

I translated, and Alice was about to cry of excitement.

“Ask Oisin if we can see the whales someday, Mom. Ask him.”

I did, and of course, the man said yes. I didn’t think they could say no to Alice. In one day, she had them all wrapped around her finger. Even Lorcan, with that tough exterior, melted every time he looked at my kid.

She was a good kid, though. Beautiful, kind. Anyone would love her quickly.

We watched the dolphins as they swam, Alice’s eyes glued on them until the last second. “Come on, let's go.”

She came reluctantly, but Tadgh had sandwiches waiting for us, and that was as a good distraction as any.

“I wish we had something more sophisticated,” he said, his ears coloring in pink.

God, how was a big man like that also so cute? He was tall, broad, and masculine, and he was also incredibly cute.

“Stop. We aren't fancy, are we?” I said, eyeing Alice, who was already devouring her sandwich.

“No,” she confirmed between bites.

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