Page 53 of Beside Golden Irish Fields
“It’s a lot like riding a motorcycle, Megan,” Liam said, patting his bike’s sleek frame.
That intrigued her.
“Except bikes are more sanitary.”
Kade made a rude sound and laughed. “Don’t let my father hear you talk like that. You’ve met my dad, Megan.”
“Killian, yes.”
“But she didn’t meetallof him,” Liam said with a chuckle, “like most of the village did yesterday. Oh, what craic!”
She didn’t say anything, but Kade was smiling. His father had been involved in that? Wasn’t he embarrassed? Maybe she didn’t understand the Irish.Shewould have been mortified.
“You wouldn’t believe the interest their stunt generated for the painting classes,” Liam continued, shaking his head.
The deviancy had helped attendance?
“Mum is going to talk to Angie about adding more classes. She might have been as angry as a hornet yesterday, but today she’s over the moon.”
That was good. Teaching had been stable for her sister when her creativity was dying, which was why Megan had encouraged her career shift and helped her settle into the role. Also, keeping out of each other’s way for a while might help repair the damage of the harsh words they’d exchanged.
“How are you planning on keeping yourself?” Kade asked. “What do you like to do?”
“She used to teach pottery,” Liam said. “Am I remembering that right, Megan?”
“Yes, I used to do that. But it’s been a while.”
She wasn’t even sure she could center her clay now, when she wasn’t centered herself. The other day in the village, she’d gone into a secondhand shop and come across a set of local pottery. The glaze was unlike any she’d come across, and she’d asked if the owner knew what had been used. She hadn’t, and Megan had felt oddly deflated. But she’d bought a pitcher on impulse with some crazy idea that she might figure it out one day.
“Interested in helping Liam paint the fence, Megan?” Kade asked softly. “It would go faster with two people.”
He and Liam shared a look, and she knew they were banding together to help her. Her throat clogged at their kindness. Angie had mentioned they had friends here. Maybe it was the clear head from the ride over, but she was starting to see it. “Angie’s more the painter in the family.”
“What about me?” Liam rocked on his heels. “I imagine every one of Kade’s fence posts is the Mona Lisa.”
“I sometimes swear I see her eyes following me when I walk by,” Kade said, sending an amused look in her direction. “Well, Megan, we’re here to help however we can. Aren’t we, Liam?”
“We are,” her cousin said with a smile. “I’ll start on my masterpiece. Can you run her back, Kade?”
She motioned with her hands. “I hadn’t thought about that. Can I call a taxi? I don’t want to impose.”
They both roared with laughter.
“Guess not.”
“As you say.” Kade made a clicking sound, and Winston trotted off. He grinned at her. “He’s going to start the truck for us.”
“After the bow you taught him, I’d almost believe you,” she said, feeling an unfamiliar smile rise on her face. “I can see why you’re good at what you do. I’m glad you’ll be helping Ollie.”
“Perhaps you’ll let me help you too,” Kade said, picking up the Jack Russell when it barked. “Do you like dogs?”
He was placing the dog in her arms before she could reply. Suddenly it was licking her face. Unbidden giggles rose to the surface as the dog showered affection on her. She ducked her head as it went for her ears.
“Oh, stop that,” she told the dog, but it only gave aruffand peppered her with more dog kisses.
“Looks like you’re a pro,” Kade said, crossing his arms.
“I’m not.” But the truth was, she’d always wanted a dog. Tyson had thought it would be too much for her to take care of Ollie and a dog, so she hadn’t gotten one.
