Page 9 of Once upon a Summer Night

Reilly barked out a short laugh. “Aye, and the leprechauns all come out at midnight. You owe me.”

Colin smiled and hung up. Feeling a bit more balanced, he extended his hand once more to the woman, who was now looking at him with outright curiosity.

He didn’t know why, but he had to touch her again.

“I didn’t catch your name,” he said, waiting for her to shake his hand.

She pressed her lips together in a line, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile. “That’s because I didn’t give it.” She took his outstretched hand, and before she could shake it, he flipped her wrist and kissed her knuckles.

“I’m Colin,” he said softly.

Her breath caught. “I’m…Rose.”

He smiled against her hand, then slowly released it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rose. Whoever named you clearly saw your beauty from the moment you were born.”

“Smooth,” she chuckled.

He grinned. “Care to sit with me in the garden for a bit and let that ankle rest up?”

She looked at her watch, then seemed to have some sort of internal battle. He watched in fascination as her lips moved slightly, as if she was talking it out with herself.

She met his eyes. “In the garden?”

He shrugged. “I thought you’d feel more comfortable out here.”

She chewed her lip for a moment more, then answered, “Yes. All right.”

“I’ll grab something from the kitchen. Have a seat,” he offered, dragging a chair towards Reilly’s small fire pit. He hurried into the house, nervous that she’d leave, and quickly rummaged around in the fridge, where he found some orange juice with a dubious smell, bottled water, and two cans of Guinness.

He looked at the cans for a moment, then shrugged and grabbed them, two pint glasses, and a bottle of water. Reilly would forgive him if he drank the last of his beer with a lady.

Maybe.

“I’ve got water or Guinness.” He shrugged apologetically, rejoining her. “It’s my cousin’s house, and he’s a bachelor. There’s really not much on offer.”

“Is he the only bachelor in residence?” she asked innocently.

Colin grinned at her. “I’m American, Rose. I don’t play word games. Yes, I’m single.”

She blushed. “I wasn’t asking that!” After a pause, she conceded, “Oh, fine. I was. But it’s not exactly a question I’m supposed to ask someone I just met. My aunt would be so ashamed.”

“Glad she’s not here, then,” Colin said. He held out the water and a Guinness.

Rose smiled. “Guinness, please. As she’s not here, I don’t have to worry about drinking a beer. My aunt believes a proper lady should never drink beer. Wine or spirits only.”

“She sounds, um…” Colin struggled to find the right word as he tossed some wood into the fire pit.

Rose smiled. “She’s wonderful, actually. The best of women. She is just very particular.”

“Are you visiting Drogheda?” he asked, popping the cap off the bottle. He poured it into one of the glasses and waited for it to settle before topping it off.

“I must say that’s an excellent pour,” she said appreciatively, taking the glass from him. “I am visiting, yes. My aunt owns a home on the sea here, and I found I needed to get away from London for a while.”

Colin nodded in understanding, then set to work starting the fire. “Ireland relaxes me in a way no other place can, so I understand it. Are you having a nice holiday?”

She sipped the Guinness thoughtfully. “I’m only here a couple of days. I have to return tomorrow for a family obligation.”

He blew on the small flame before replying, “To London? I’m headed there as well. Part of my UK tour.”

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