Page 31 of Arse Over Irish Teacup
“No, of course I don’t think that. The idea of going to Ireland came from my love of the book but I’m not going to find a boyfriend.”
“Then why are you going?”
“It was Gram’s dying wish.” She reached into her purse again and pulled out Gram’s letter.
Aidan wiped his hands on his cloth napkin before taking hold of what was clearly a precious commodity. Most people didn’t travel with letters but Beth traveled with two. He pulled the single sheet of daisy-embellished stationary and first admired the elegant handwriting. One didn’t see cursive writing much anymore. With Beth’s permission he read it aloud.
My Dear Bethany,
If you are reading this then I have returned home to your grandfather. You have been so good to me. No grandmother could have asked for a better granddaughter than you. When your parents died, I worried day and night over you. I wondered if I was doing a good job raising you, if I was doing right by you, would you resent me for not being your mother? All those nights spent worrying were a waste because you were a wonderful child. You gave up your life to take care of me. I know you don’t see it that way but you missed out on some things because of me. There is one last thing I need you to do for me. I want you to take that trip to Ireland that you’ve been dreaming about. I want you to walk along those shores, pass through the green fields, make new friends. You never know, maybe your true love is waiting for you there just like in your favorite book. It will be scary, I know, but you’re braver than you think. Thank you for staying with me, and for giving this old woman a better life than she could ask for. Now, go live yours and save your tears for something that’s sad. Like Bambi. Because of you I had a wonderful life. There’s nothing sad about that.
Love,
Gram
P.S. Find a handsome Irishman and rip his clothes off.
After a small chuckle at the last line, Aidan folded the letter and placed it back inside its envelope then handed it back to Beth. “That’s a beautiful letter and testament to you.” He looked up and saw Beth wiping her eyes and restrained himself from moving in.
Damn it all to hell and back, Beth needed a hug.
He could hold her for just a minute, couldn’t he? What could a harmless minute possibly do?
It could do exactly what it had done the last time he’d fallen victim to a woman’s tears that’s what it could do!
But something told him Beth was different. One only had to look into those innocent wet eyes of hers to see.
Different or not, this wasn’t a good idea.
He leaned back again, thinking of what to say to the crying woman beside him. He placed his hand over hers that laid on her lap and waited for her to make eye contact before speaking. “Spinner, you can’t put a price on peace of mind.”
“I could’ve put my grandmother in a home or hired a nurse to take care of her, but I never would’ve forgiven myself! I wanted to take care of her! And I could. I wanted to, dammit! Sorry. I didn’t mean to swear. A lot people at the funeral kind of said I’ve wasted my life.” Tears came again.
Oh God. Aidan’s white horse reared. Down boy, down!
“I’m sorry for crying again. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“You still have time. How old are you?”
That snapped her out of her crying jag. “That’s rude.”
“Well, I thought you didn’t regret taking care of your grandmother?”
“I didn’t! I don’t!” she said a little too loudly.
“It doesn’t sound like that to me.”
“All I meant was, I’m disappointed in myself for not doing more.” She blew her nose, hopefully for the last time. Aidan handed her a fresh packet of tissues. “I guess I’ve been waiting for something to happen instead of making something happen. Does that make sense?”
“Yes.”
Beth pushed back her hair from her face and smiled the soft smile that was quickly becoming irresistible. “But I’m making something happen now.”
Yes, she was. And much more than she knew.
Right on her interruptive cue Viki spelled with a K brought their desserts. Aidan had a chocolate cheesecake, Beth had a fresh berry tart. Both looked delicious. And both looked as if they needed the other to be whole.
“Want to see another benefit of flying first class?” Aidan asked.
