Page 4 of An Irish Kiss
Rory shrugged.“I just had an unfortunate encounter with a man and only discovered later I had sticks in my hair.”
Her sister grinned.“Pray tell.”
A sigh escaped, and then the story did too.“So he was laughing at me, and it was only when I got back inside I discovered I had twigs and mud all over me.”
Aisling sniffed.“Doesn’t sound like much of a gentleman to me.”
“It’s okay,” she soothed.She didn’t need her ever-fiery sister to get offended on her behalf.Rory was already too good at taking arrows to the heart and holding onto them, letting things fester.“He’s a tourist, and I doubt I’ll see him again.”
“Okay, well, if you need me to say something I will.”
God bless Aisling.She might be the youngest sibling in the Fairall clan, but she was ever-willing to fire up on her family’s behalf.“Thanks, but I’m okay.I’d better get on with this then.”She clasped her hand and squeezed.“I’m glad you’re back though.”
“I know.”Aisling grinned.“Hey, is Mam upstairs?”
“Yes.She’s probably ready for another cup of tea.”
“Good.You ready too?”
“Always.”
Aisling exited and Rory returned to the computer screen, forcing her attention to updating the website.
The office door opened.But Aisling held no cup of tea.“What is it?”
“Can you tell me why there is an extremely handsome man asleep in the lounge room?”
“What?”
Aisling beckoned for Rory to follow her, then gestured to the lounge area, a section adjoining the foyer with comfortable seating designed to showcase the views down the coast.And yes, just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, in one of those seats sat a man, slumped against one side which was why she hadn’t seen him before.But it was no surprise really as he was fast asleep.
In fact, he was so asleep he was snoring quietly, his mouth opened a little.But despite that, he still certainly fit her own personal criteria of what constituted a handsome man.Even if he clearly had not understood the no trespassing rule she’d mentioned earlier.
Aisling looked at her, eyebrows raised, and she shrugged.It was probably best to not mention this was the man who had embarrassed her before.
“Excuse me?”She poked his arm.His head slipped then jerked up, drawing an unholy amount of satisfaction as Aisling giggled.
Heavy lidded eyes lifted, his blue eyes piercing hers, and she heard Aisling’s intake of breath.Yes, the man was beautiful.But there was no need to get carried away.Especially as, once again, she was struck by that unsettling feeling from before.This man.Who was he?Why was he here?Wasn’t he staying at the pub in town?
“What are you doing here?”she asked.
His lips pulled to one side.“Having a Nanna nap.”
“A what?”
He straightened in his seat, still looking far too comfortable for someone who was trespassing.“I was just getting some shut eye.It’s been a big day.”
“Oh goodness, he’s Australian,” Aisling murmured.
Uh oh.Aisling was a big fan of Aussie rugged types, and had been completely invested in watching all eight seasons ofMcLeod’s Daughterslast year, the TV series set on a South Australian sheep property with its plucky female shearers and band of handsome Aussie men.That TV location was the genuine article too, and had ended up hosting Kara earlier this year, on her grand Australian tour that Colin had surprised her by joining.But Aisling couldn’t afford to be entranced by this man.Not when an internal tug demanded otherwise.Even if Rory still had to know—“What are you doing here?Like I said before, this is private property.”
Aisling’s breath hitched.“This washim?”
His mouth twisted into a lazy half smile.“So, you’ve talked about me.”
Rory huffed.“Don’t flatter yourself.”
Aisling joined her in the crossed arms brigade.“If you’re not a guest then you’re trespassing.”
