Page 45 of An Irish Kiss
His question woke her several times during the night.He wanted to be friends?For a second she’d wanted to smile, thinking how much like a Justin Bieber song he’d sounded, before realising that he actually seemed serious about wanting a relationship with her.Which didn’t make sense.And seemed awfully sudden.So sudden, that when she had admitted to Aisling what had happened that her sister had immediately scoffed.
“He’s trying to play you, get you on his side.”
And yes, she had thought that too.But there had been something in his eyes that suggested sincerity.Or maybe that was just her hopeful heart, hoping that the sense of connection she’d first experienced on meeting him had been what he had referred to as well.Could the Fairall legacy of instant love have touched her too?
But she couldn’t get carried away.Wouldn’t get carried away.Not when there was so much unresolved.
Yesterday’s adventure had meant an early night, and now it was morning and she needed a walk.To blow off the cobwebs and pray and seek God’s wisdom about this.
She shrugged into her warm jacket, and spied her jacket on the back of the chair, where it had been since Aidan had given it to her yesterday evening.She picked it up, and maybe it was silly of her, but she inhaled his scent.Oh, she liked his scent.
She wrapped a scarf around her neck, as it was still cool in the mornings, then stole down the family’s stairs to the family entrance.In the laundry area she clicked for Rover to join her, and they set off.She had a day off today, no bookshop, no hotel management, and it was nice to think she could just be.
Instead of the walk that led to the golf course, she turned the other way, closer to the boardwalk which was near where she’d first met Aidan.But there was no getting stuck under a tree today.She glanced up at the hotel, counting the windows to see which was his.The curtains were open, but she hoped that didn’t mean he was in there looking out.
The conversation last night still confused her.Did he really mean to suggest he wanted to explore the possibility of a future with her, or had she misunderstood?And if he had meant it, then how on earth could that work?
“Lord, I don’t know what’s going on.But I know that You see everything and You know everything.So please guide me in the way You want me to go.I don’t want to get carried away with silly emotion if it’s not going to be for my best.Thank You that Your plans for me are good, and that I can trust You in everything.”
Her words wisped white on the morning air.Autumn was coming, and she needed to make the most of this before the weather turned cool and wet.“Come on, boy.”
She picked up a stick and threw it, and Rover bounded after it, barking happily.
Oh, if only life could be so simple as to enjoy chasing a stick.
She soon reached the end of the boardwalk, where a natural beach was named in honour of her great, great, great grandmother.There might’ve been a few more greats, but that would suffice.Dorothea had been the wife of the archdeacon, and used to love sitting here on a rock ledge that had been named Dorothy’s Chair.She sat there now, ignoring the dampness and cold that seeped through her jeans, as she watched Rover playing in the water.
He loved the sea.She did too, although the wild swimming that the resort offered was not something she’d ever choose to do.She’d done it once, and once was enough.
Then she noticed the towel on the beach.Then the figure out in the deep.
Oh no.Would he have thought she’d come here to watch him, like some groupie?
Ugh.“Rover!Come on.We need to go.”
She whistled and clicked, but it didn’t seem to matter what she did, Rover wasn’t playing.Or rather, Rover was playing, and refused to come.
“Oh my gosh,” she mumbled under her breath.She glanced out at the sea, and saw a figure treading water, watching her.
“Um, hi.”She waved.
He nodded, then started swimming strongly back.
Nope.She was not going to sit here like one of James Bond’s hapless girlfriends while he strode out of the water, glistening.She slid from her perch, and desperately called Rover to come.Still the silly dog refused to obey.
Very well then.She’d leave him to the attentions of Aidan, seeing as Rover clearly preferred him to herself.
“You’re not leaving, are you?”Aidan called.
Surely the man had eyes.“Sure am,” she called, averting her gaze as he exited the water.“Comeon, Rover.”
“I don’t think your dog wants to go.”
“Oh well.”She turned.“I do.”
“Hey, please wait.”
Would it be rude to run away?Probably.And probably running away was not in the spirit of friendship like she’d tentatively agreed to last night.Aisling’s hot chocolate had alotto answer for.
