Page 105 of Beside Golden Irish Fields
Someone sent up a cheer, and others joined in. He looked back to yell at Angie, “I’ll see you at the pub. We’ll do the dance next year.” Yes, she’d be there for it, if he had a say.
Her eyes seemed to glow with understanding, and she blew him a kiss, making him think of Sorcha. Wherever she was, she’d be happy for him too.
The moment he reached the pub, a pint was placed in his hand. The first Guinness went down real smooth, as did the next three Gavin pulled. He received more congratulations, and his hand hurt from all the shaking it had done with the men about town. His friends commandeered two large tables for their friends and family, keeping him at the table’s end for well-wishers.
When Angie arrived with the Lucky Charms minus Megan and Ollie, he pulled her onto his lap and gave her the rest of his Guinness. He was sure someone would find her a pint, but there was something primal about seeing her drinking from his very own glass while perched on his knee. She was his, and he was glad everyone in Caisleán knew that was the way of it.
“When are you two getting married?” someone called out from the bar, making Angie cough on his beer. “I’m betting against you and the Yank living at either of your houses. Old or new. Bad luck that. Don’t have me losing money, Carrick.”
“Oh, shut your trap, Niall McGuire,” Gavin said, glancing over sharply at the rangy man. “Drink your drink and let the man enjoy his moment.”
Carrick tensed as others looked over, everyone from neighbors to strangers. They were all wondering, it seemed, now that he had the money for the land. Angie was so still she might as well have been made of stone on his lap. Her face was stricken. He wanted to punch Niall for spoiling their celebration.
“They’re betting on whether we’ll move into the new house,” Angie said, leaning down and whispering in his ear. “I only heard today.”
He reared back. Fitzgerald’s Folly had always been the butt of plenty of jokes, but this was too much.
“Everyone needs to mind their own business,” he said loudly.
“Hear, hear,” Brady said, standing up. “Dad, turn up the music, will you?”
Bets shoved her chair back. “Wait! We’ve got this. Don’t we, girls?”
The Lucky Charms stood. Some in the pub groaned. He only had eyes for his Yank.
“You and I need to have a toast to celebrate your good fortune today,” Carrick said, putting his arm around her, hoping to assure her.
They hadn’t spoken of long-term commitments, but he knew what he wanted. They would speak about it when the time was right—for them, not for the village. As for the house he’d built…
His heart beat faster. Would he need to sell it when he’d only just finished it? The more traditional Irish would think it bad luck to move into a house he’d built for his dead wife, but he wasn’t of that mind. Then again, he didn’t know what Angie thought. They’d never spent a single night at either of his houses, as if by silent agreement. Had he been wrong not to bring this up before?
“I had plenty of champagne earlier,” she told him, “so I’m good with a little of your beer. To us.”
“To us,” he said, cupping her face, not caring that his entire family was watching.
She took a sip of his drink and then held the glass out to him, their eyes holding as he drank too.
Oh, he couldn’t wait to have her all to himself. They were going to have a time of it. He was going to love her until well after dawn.
“Angie!” Bets called as Bon Jovi came over the loudspeakers. “Come on. It’s your time, girl!”
The other women yelled their encouragement as Gavin helped them climb onto the bar. Carrick lifted a brow. “What will you do today, Yank?”
She gave a saucy smile, and he knew she’d shaken off the rude comment. “After today, I’m going to celebrate and dance on the damn bar.”
“That’s my girl,” he said, patting her bottom as she stood up.
He realized she’d need help getting up there, but when he started to get to his feet, Gavin waved him off.
“Dad’s right,” Brady said, tapping his shoulder. “He’ll help her. Plus, your view will be better from here.”
Yes, it sure as hell was. He kicked back and smiled as Gavin hoisted her up at the end of the bar. Angie wiggled her hips, bobbling a little until Gavin steadied her, but she found her footing. Yeah, those shoes weren’t the smartest for dancing, but boy did they look good on her. Bets gave her a high five, and all the women laughed as they started to dance to the loud, throbbing music.
“She’s a winner, son,” his father said, pulling his head close with a large hand and grinning as he watched the show. “You’re richer today than you’ve been in a long time. Don’t forget that.”
Like he could. He knew fate had given him a second chance at life, and he was going to take it with both hands.
Angie turned on the bar with a half step, wobbling again. He had the split-second thought she should take those shoes off, but all thought was obliterated when she lifted her hair and wiggled her bottom in the sexiest move he’d ever seen.
