Page 28 of Irish Fire and Forbidden Love
Maeve and I sat beside the group and Eliza filled up our glasses, me with the beer I ordered the first day, and Maeve with a dark, almost black beer.
“Don’t worry about the beer. These next few rounds are on the house,” Eliza said, then slid a number over to us. “That’s how much I counted in the bucket. Not including what you gave, Rory.”
I read the numbers, disbelieving it at first. It was Maeve’s voice that made it real, “Fifty-three thousand?”
Eliza dipped her chin slightly and said, “Apparently, your generous donation, combined with your brother attacking you, made a few others give their own donations.”
“So, you’re saying we have one hundred and three thousand dollars?” Maeve whispered.
“And counting. There are a few hundreds I have yet to go through.”
“Wow. What are you going to do with all that money?” I asked.
“I have to give you your check back?—”
“Don’t even think about it. I want you to have it. Businesses, especially food and bars, are hard. Do something to help yourself. Maybe update your plumbing system?”
“But—” she stopped, then tucked the check in her pocket. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You letting me kiss you is enough.”
She smirked and pressed her lips on mine.
“Maeve?”
“Hm?” she whispered.
Her breath hot on my neck. I could have pulled her back into that office, ravished her again, but instead, I said in a soft, slow voice, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered and kissed me.
Even days later, I still felt the heat of her lips— warmth born not just from the promise of tomorrow, but from something meant to last a lifetime.
Epilogue
MAEVE
It’s beensix months since the fundraiser, and in that time, I’ve managed to fix not only the pipes but also update the roof and windows. There were a few extra thousand left over, which I tucked away as an emergency fund. Something I never would’ve dreamed of having just a few months ago.
And then there’s Rory. He went home with his brother but came back a few weeks later with all his stuff. He tried staying at a nearby hotel, but after a week of practically living with me anyway, I told him to move in. He’s the easiest person to live with. He cleans up after himself, even cooks for me after late nights at the bar.
He hasn’t spoken to his brother since leaving the States. I think he’s still hopeful, but not hopeful enough to work with him again. He’s gone back to contract work, fixing up homes around the neighborhood, and even helped Seimon with his house. Seimon and his brothers have since apologized for everything, and now Rory even goes out for beers with them sometimes.
But the help he’s given my family is what’s been irreplaceable. He helped my dad pay off his debts, and soon he and my sister will be moving to Ireland. Maddy was resistant at first. She’s never been one to leave home, but then she applied to universities here and got accepted into Dublin City University for a PhD in socioeconomics. Now, she talks about the move more than I do.
It’s strange to think I’ll have my whole family together again. Or almost. And honestly? I don’t hate the idea. Not one bit.
“Hey, Maeve! You coming?” Eliza calls from the bar entrance. She and Rory have been planning some kind of party for the last month, and they’ve conveniently kept the details from me. I have a pretty good idea what it might be— especially after Rory asked for my ring size, but I’ll act surprised, just in case I’m right.
I already know what I’m going to say. I’ve known since the first time we kissed.
“Yes!” I call back and follow Eliza out of the bar.
Love to hear what you thought about this romance. Even a few words helps- Irish Fire & Forbidden Love Review.
Be sure to read the second in the Celtic Men Series, Scottish Legends & Lost Love.
Lachlan
