Page 33 of An Irish Kiss
Fiona kept on ranting, and Aisling quickly joined in.And while it was nice to feel like Fiona was on their side at last, it was also kind of awful how they only seemed to have bonded over a problem against someone else, not because they had actually mended what was wrong between them and found a way to move forward together.
But perhaps there was no way for Fiona to mend her dispute with Colin.Not until she chose to forgive him.And forgive their father, whose decision it had been to hand the responsibility of the Killorglin group to Colin in the first place.
“It’s good that Patrick is on the case,” Colin said.“He’s pretty switched on.”
“He should be, at the rates he charges,” Fiona muttered.“I can’t believe you just went and saw him without asking any of us if you thought it a good idea.”
“I did ask,” Rory protested.“I asked Mam and Ash, and we called Colin who thought it was a good thing to do.”
“Of course you did.Ask the man of the family.But you didn’t ask me, did you?”
“I thought you’d be too busy,” Rory said in a small voice.
“Well, clearly that’s not the case, as I’m talking to you now, aren’t I?”Fiona huffed.“It’s always the way, though.People in this family don’t trust me do they?Da never did.You don’t either, apparently.”
And just like that they were back to Fiona’s usual crabbiness.Those hopes for reconciliation looked like they’d need to wait another day.Or year.
“I’m sorry.”Oh, she hated feeling at odds with her sister like this.What could she say that would make things right?
“Yeah, well, I’ve got to go.”
“Well, please pray that this works out,” she pleaded.
“Like prayer ever works,” Fiona grumbled, before her screen went black and they realised she’d ended the call.
“Wow.”Colin shook his head.“I can’t believe she still hasn’t got over it.”
“And that comment about prayer at the end?”Aisling blew out a breath.
“We’ll need to keep praying for her.I…” Mam’s voice was shaky.“I can’t help but feel something terrible must have happened for her to say something like that.”
“Mam, don’t worry.Things might be tough right now, but they won’t stay that way, you’ll see,” Aisling encouraged.
“That’s right.”Rory hugged her, prayed for peace, prayed for calm.“We’ll keep trusting God that He’ll have His way.”
With Fiona.With her family.With the castle and their property.All of which had been stirred up by the lawyer from Australia.
Heat rose.She tamped it down with a loud exhale.Patrick’s advice to be civilised felt impossible right now, her heart too full of clashing, clanking things.She’d always been bad at pretending, which meant she’d be relying on God’s grace these next few days.And maybe she could find a modicum of civility along the way.
* * *
“Hi Rory.”Aidan gave a smile, even though he figured she probably wished him elsewhere.“Can you tell me if the temperature in my room can be adjusted?It’s been a little chilly and I can’t find a remote control to fix it.”
Rory nodded, her eyes not quite meeting his.“I’ll send someone to investigate as soon as possible.”
“Thanks, I’d appreciate it.”
She nodded, her gaze dropping to her computer, which he figured was signal enough she was done talking to him.
Too bad he didn’t feel the same.“So, uh, I was wondering if maybe—”
“Excuse me.”Her gaze focused behind him, and she busted out a big warm smile he’d never really seen her give him.“Mrs.Mitchell!I do hope you’re enjoying your stay.What can I do for you?”
“But the young man—”
“Is finished now,” she said firmly, her attention fixed on the American.
He shrugged and took the hint, but wow.This was getting old.Ever since Tuesday night at the pub when he’d finally spilled the beans he’d been getting the cold shoulder treatment from Rory.Which he understood, even if it grated.He didn’t like someone he liked disliking him.
