Page 53 of An Irish Kiss
“Catrina and I were pretty young, so we didn’t know the violence had been going on some time.Mum tried to protect us from that, or so Gran told us later.Gran basically raised us from when I was seven.”
She reached across, touched his hand.“I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, it’s not pretty.He went to jail, then died in there a few years back.But what he did motivated me to study law and do what I can to help women in that kind of situation.That’s my job now.Helping women deal with domestic violence through legal means.”
“Wow.That is such an important job.”Her heart panged.“I’m so sorry about your mother, though.”
His chin dipped.“It’s not something I talk about a lot, but I’m glad God can use even the most awful things for His purposes.I’m always glad to see women set free from that cycle and know what happened to me has led to some of that result.”
“God can work all things out for our good.”
He nodded, and dug into his fish.
Her heart, already softened towards him, only melted into deeper attraction.He was a good man, despite his sufferings.He loved his family, and it was no wonder he felt passionately about righting injustices.After what he’d gone through, she couldn’t blame him.Discovering all they had in common felt like they were twining ever closer to real friendship.
He motioned to the last piece of bread.“Would you like this?”
“No.I’m so full.”
He dunked it in the last of the sauce and ate it.She forced her gaze away from his lips.
He swallowed.“That’s just so good.You won’t hate me if I say this is my favourite meal in Ireland, will you?”
She smiled.“It’s delicious, right?”
“So good.Now the only problem is how I’m going to choose from the apple crumble or the cheese platter.”
“Does that really need to be a choice?”she mused.
“You’re right.We should get both.”
“Wait, I didn’t mean that,” she said, laughing.
“That’s more like it,” he said.“I like it when you laugh.”
Oh, how could she ask what he meant by all this flattering attention?She couldn’t.
As he ordered both desserts she sipped her drink, staring out at the now-dark view which saw distant lights twinkling on the water.Lord, if this is something that is from You, You’ll need to show me how this can work.
“So.”His word drew her attention back to him.“So what are you thinking about so seriously?”
She shrugged.“I don’t know how to say it.”
“Just say it,” he said in a low voice.
“Okay.Well, I’ve enjoyed today.”
“So have I.It’s been amazing.”He smiled.“I feel like I’ve gotten to know you so much better.”
“I feel the same,” she said shyly.
“And I don’t know how you’re feeling, but I’m feeling like this is a good base for the future.”
Future?The word shimmied like a star through her soul.He was talking about the future?But… “That’s the problem.”
“What is?The future?”
She nodded.“I… I don’t know what you mean about a future.Because we don’t live in the same country, so it feels like all of this,” she gestured between them, “is stirring up things that perhaps should be better left unstirred.”
