Page 52 of An Irish Kiss
“Don’t sell yourself short.I bet it had some challenging moments.”
“Well, I discovered I definitely lean more towards the humanities side than the IT side.I’m like Aisling in that way.She’s studying Humanities in Cork too.Managed to get all her classes scheduled on just a few days, which means she can come help at the hotel.Since my dad died we’ve all had to help with running things there.”She sipped her water.“But since I graduated I’ve also struggled to figure out what to do with my life.I do enjoy the hotel and the bookshop, but I’d like to use my skills in other ways.”
“In what ways?”
She smiled shyly.“I volunteer for several community organisations and do their social media and things.I’d love to do more work in that space, but maybe get paid for it.”
“A worker is worthy of being paid.”
“I’d just like to do something that feels a little more meaningful than helping customers find a book or helping guests with their requests.”
“Any job can be meaningful.God can use us anywhere.”
“I know that.But I guess I’ve just felt this sense of frustration not knowing what it is that God might want me to do.”
“But in the meantime you’re being used by Him while you wait for the next thing.”
“True.”His words eased some of the angst within.
“Like when you rescued me yesterday.”
“Anyone could have done that.”
“But not just anyone did.Only you.”
She bit her lip, glanced down.Why did he have to be so sweet?She forked in her last prawn.Oh, it was good.
“So, Aisling is studying Humanities.Do you have other siblings too?”
She nodded.“My other sister, Fiona, is the eldest.Colin is next, and he heads up the Killorglin group.”
“Killorglin, like the town we passed through today?”
“The very same.”Where her father had grown up.Should she mention what they did?But if she didn’t, then it felt like she was leaving things unsaid that probably needed to.She drew in a breath for courage.“It’s an investment company that deals with hotels and things.”
“So your brother is a businessman.”
“Yes.”She quickly sipped her water.“Fiona is also in business, but is based in Dublin.She doesn’t come home very often.”
“I know what that’s like.My sister lives in Melbourne so I don’t see her as much as I’d like.”
“But your grandmother lives near you?”
He nodded.“It’s one of the reasons I took the job that I did, in order to be near her.”
Aww, so sweet.“And your parents?”He’d never mentioned them.
“Yeah.”
“What is it?”
He winced.“It’s not a pretty story so I don’t like to share too much.”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want.”
“But if we’re getting real then I think I want to.”He drew in a breath.“My dad killed my mum.”
“What?”
