Page 65 of Taming Irish

The men laugh and talk like they don’t have a care in the world. But then, I learned the hard way not to believe everything you think youknow.

The woman’s hand rests on my arm, and she gives a small smile while studying me. “But I have a feeling ye know about sorrow. Ye’ve got the look in yereyes.”

I suck in a breath, seeing the sympathy in the green eyes that are so much likeShane’s.

“My life hasn’t exactly turned out the way I thought it would,” Iadmit.

She nods. “It very rarely does. Pass me that pot, dear. And there’s some drying towels in the seconddrawer.”

After handing her the large pot, I find the towels and start wiping down the plates in the dryingrack.

“Shane seems quite taken with ye.” Elbows deep in suds, she watches me for myreaction.

“I…” My gaze naturally drifts toShane.

He catches me watching him and gives me a crooked smile before turning back to Owen and saying something that makes them alllaugh.

“We don’t really know each other,” I admit. “We’re just…friends.” I’m starting to hate thatword.

“Friends don’t look at each other the way ye two do.” She hands me a pot to dry, and gives me a knowinglook.

“Mom,” Emer says sternly, coming into the kitchen. “Ye’re putting our guest to work, when I clearly told ye I’d do it in themorning.”

“I’m happy to help,” Isay.

“Ye don’t need to be doing dishes when ye’ve got the baby to take care of,” Agnus says, continuing to scrub anotherpot.

“And ye’re supposed to beresting.”

Agnus mutters something under her breath that sounds more like Gaelic than English, then says, “I enjoy beingbusy.”

“At least, it keeps her out of trouble.” Emer winks at me. “Ye’ve got to watch this one. She’ll be planning yer wedding before ye even know ye’reengaged.”

Agnus clucks her tongue. “Ye were already married when I planned yer wedding. And I wouldn’t have had to do it if ye’d just done it right the firsttime.”

Emer rolls her eyes. “Getting married in Vegas or at the Sistine Chapel doesn’t make it any less real. I’d have been happy just to have lived common-law if I didn’t think it have given ye astroke.”

“I would have disowned ye.” Agnus points a finger at her daughter, and I can’t tell if she’s serious ornot.

Emer rolls her eyes, but there’s a flash of humor there, and I realize that she’s enjoying getting a rise from her mom. But despite the constant battle of wills that I’ve seen between them tonight, the affection isclear.

“Shane said ye’re staying at Colleen’s house?” Emer takes the dry plate from my hand and places it in thecupboard.

Inod.

“I’ll stop by some time and see ye, then. That’s if ye’re not toobusy.”

“I’d like that.” She reminds me a little of Quinn with her big, cheerful personality and natural way of making everyone want to be aroundher.

“Shane didn’t say what ye’re doing here,” Emer says, and both she and her mom watch meexpectantly.

“It’s been a rough year. I just needed achange.”

Agnus nods. “Do ye have any familyhere?”

“No.”

She purses her lips, then says pointedly, “Well, ye do now. Ye need anything at all, ye just ask. No matterwhat.”

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