Page 42 of Arse Over Irish Teacup
Bethany,
In the cupboards are tea, coffee, jam, and such. Help yourself. Here are a few things to get you through the night. I didn’t much like the idea of you driving to the shop in this storm. I made the stew and bread myself. I’m no Darina Allen, but I do all right. Call me if you need anything.
-Roan
Roan, once again, had left the comfort of his home to offer help.
When Lauren called back she was surprised Beth was speaking English again. That was a relief. Lauren didn’t know anyone who spoke donkey. “Help me out here. Two minutes ago, you could hardly speak through all the snot coming out of your nose. What’s changed?”
“Roan stopped by as I hung up the phone. He brought me groceries and dinner and a bottle of wine.”
“This is the same guy that you hit with your car?”
“Yeah. Isn’t that sweet?”
Sweet? Was she serious? The man had already seen Bethany at her worst and he still offered her a house and dinner? Either he was Prince Charming in the flesh or he was an ax murderer fattening up his prey.
Lauren got Beth to repeat the entire story from the beginning.
Unbelievable.
Even for Beth.
“You hit him with your car?”
“Yup,” she said with an unamused popping P.
Beth’s trip couldn’t possibly get any worse. Lauren didn’t know whether to roll on the floor laughing or burst into tears.
“There’s no internet here so could you book me another flight home?” It didn’t matter what seat or class, she just needed to get out of this country.
Beth’s trip had been one big Maalox moment. Anyone would have given up ages ago but not Beth. She always was the brightest star. Nothing could put out her light. But now, Lauren heard it. Beth had given up. And who could blame her? But something told Lauren that Beth wasn’t meant to return just yet.
I mean, who wouldn’t want their best friend to marry a charitable, handsome Irishman who forgives when he’s hit by a car? He couldn’t be more ideal.
“Of course, I will. I’ll get on the computer right now.” Lauren walked into her office and sat down at the computer, then placed Beth on speaker phone and took hold of the mouse.
Within a few clicks she found a flight home for the following day—or so she said. Lauren didn’t actually know what flights there were. She was redecorating the master bedroom and was currently viewing sheets. “Crap.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The flight is full.”
Of course, it was. Poor, exhausted, at-her-wits-end Beth sighed. If she wasn’t already bone-weary she would have cried again but right now all she had the strength for was surrender. “I can wait another day.”
How many days could Lauren get away with stalling before it sounded suspicious? “The next flight isn’t for another two days.”
“Okay, book me that one.”
Lauren weighed the options, calculated the consequences and risks … to click or not to click?
Either way, it would be an adventure. She wanted to see where this Roan guy was going with his basket.
Lauren clicked the mouse. “Done.” Yeah … all she had clicked on was the purchase button for the Egyptian cotton purple sheet set she’d been eyeing.
“Thanks.”
“I’m sorry this trip has been so hard. But you’ll be home soon.”
