Page 102 of Beside Golden Irish Fields
“I’ll see you two later,” Carrick said, putting his arm around her. “I plan to stay with the Yank a little while. I want to see all the jackeens from Dublin fawn over Angie’s artwork and pull out their wallets.”
“I thought they were known as townies,” Angie said. “Oh, I don’t care so long as they buy my art.”
“Kade says we’reculchies,” Ollie said, saying the word slowly. “He’s teaching me Gaelic, you know.”
“He is?” Donal asked, touching his nose. “You’ll have to tell me what you’ve learned sometime. Let’s see if you know this one, for when you’re older. Come,mo ghrá.” He looked at Bets with eyes full of warmth. “See you later, everyone.”
“Good luck, Angie,” Bets called, waving. “Nicola will be luring people in right and left for you, and so will the other shopkeepers, don’t you worry. Oh, I can’t wait to spread the word about the arts center. What a day!”
This village was the best in the world as far as Angie was concerned. She’d never had so much support.
“What doesmo ghrámean?” Ollie asked. “Mr. O’Dwyer left without telling me.”
“It means ‘my love,’” Angie answered, holding Carrick’s eyes. “You use it when you’re in love with someone.”
Megan smiled then. “It’s a very lucky thing when you find someone like that, Ollie, and your aunt looks pretty lucky.”
Carrick had invited Megan out to dinner with them last week, and she’d declined, saying she was still working on herself. Angie had respected it. But her sister’s smile gave her hope she would join them next time—and support Carrick’s presence in her life.
“Aunt Angie has the luck of the Irish now, Mom.” Ollie scratched his chin. “But Mr. O’Dwyer is right. I won’t need that word until I’m older. Like Kade or Liam’s age.”
“Ancient,” Megan said with a laugh. “We’re going to head to the fairgrounds. Be good to cheer on Bets. Kade is picking us up.”
“He’s going to enter his new pony into the competition,” Ollie said, bouncing in his wellies. “Her name is Blaze. Have you seen her? She’s the color of caramel apples and rides like the wind. Mom, do you think they’ll have caramel apples at the fair?”
“I don’t know, but they’ll have lots of food and music, I hear.” Megan walked over and hugged her briefly. “Good luck, Angie. Carrick, thanks for helping my sister with the frames. I meant to tell you how beautiful they are. Let’s go, Ollie.”
Ollie squeezed her leg. “Knock them dead.”
“Ollie!” Megan exclaimed before letting out a breath. “Come on.”
He shot her a grin and then ran down the stairs, Megan following at a sedate pace. That she didn’t call him out for running was a good sign.
“Your sister is doing well, I think,” Carrick said, rubbing her arms. “Now, how about we get you a coffee?”
“Water. If I have more coffee, I’ll be buzzed.”
A well-dressed portly man appeared at the top of the stairs. “I heard there was an art showing upstairs. My goodness, they’re incredible. Are you the artist?”
She nodded even though he wasn’t looking at her. He’d made a direct line to the painting of the couple’s hands against the tree. “Yes, I am. I’m from the States but am here for a six-month stint teaching locally.”
“I saw that art classes were being offered in town.” He moved to the next painting. “Goodness, I love your brushstrokes and your framing of the subject. Your depiction of their hands is so real. How much is this one?”
He was looking at the one of the couple’s hands in a passionate embrace on the ground. She named her price, her stomach doing its first flip.
“I’d like this one,” the man said with a smile. “Now, who do I pay, and can you have it wrapped and ready for me after I leave the fair on my way out of town?”
Carrick elbowed her gently. “Nicola, the proprietor of the shop, will handle all of that downstairs for you.”
“Grand, thanks.” The man took another look at the art before heading to the stairs. “Imagine. Finding art like this outside of Dublin. I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but there were flyers all over town. I’ve been coming to the fair for years and they’ve never done that.”
“Caisleán is a special place,” Angie said, trying to keep her smile in the non-grin stratosphere. “Have a wonderful day at the fair.”
“I will, thanks. I always find excellent horses here. Have a grand day yourself.”
When he left, Carrick kissed her cheek and grabbed the champagne and popped it.
“We were supposed to save that for later,” she said, laughing as he pressed the bottle into her hands and indicated she should take a sip.
