Page 68 of Beside Golden Irish Fields
“Am I not wearing my Sunday best? And on a weekday.”
He gestured to himself, and she found her gaze lingering. His fine clothes made his offer to plant the rose more touching. “I might admit you’re looking more presentable than usual.”
His deep chuckle caught her by surprise. What was he thinking?
“Calling on a lady with a rose is serious courting, Betsy O’Hanlon. I plan to continue paying you calls until you agree to have dinner with me. We can go to another town if you don’t want the village nosing into our business.”
A date? The temptation was as strong as this rose’s fragrance. “If we did it here, people right and left would be coming to our table to talk to us, I imagine. I remember when I first arrived here. I hoped to continue date nights with Bruce. No such thing in Caisleán.”
“No, people always come round for a chat if they know you,” Donal said, holding her gaze. “Be rude not to, but it isn’t always wanted, is it? If I wanted to be alone with Margaret, we’d take a picnic or go to another town. We didn’t call it date night—only our night. Bringing her flowers or her favorite tea pleased her, but time alone was good for us both. If you don’t mind me saying.”
“I don’t mind you saying at all.” She liked that he and Margaret had continued such traditions. She and Bruce hadn’t, and with the boys, she’d let it slide.
As she met Donal’s brilliant green eyes, she couldn’t deny she felt a pull toward him. He’d brought her a gift—a lovely, thoughtful one—and understood how to have a proper date in the countryside. He even wanted to help her win the flower competition. It felt like a message that he wanted her to succeed and, more, would help her do it. Plus, he was a fine-looking man, dressed up or naked. Dammit. She’d thought about his beautiful form and dreamed about it once or twice.
“We’ll try one date,” she said, “and we won’t tell a soul about it should it end in disaster. And I’ll need your word that it won’t impact my future application for planning permission for my arts center.” She filled him in on her plan, knowing she could trust him.
“That’s quite a plan, and one I’d be happy to support.” Still, he glared at her. “What kind of man do you take me for, though, asking me for my word about the application?”
“Forget I said it.” She didn’t want to admit she knew he was honorable. “As for our date… I’ll drive my own car and meet you somewhere.”
“Done,” he said as if they were negotiating over sheep. “Do you prefer a weeknight or weekend?”
He was being conciliatory. “Weeknight. Less people.”
His mouth twitched. “Any dietary requirements?”
This time her lips twitched. “The bigger the steak, the better.”
“Wonderful!” He clapped his hands together. “I know just the place. And if I may ask one other question, if only to set the stage in my mind.”
She wanted to clutch the rose bush to her chest, her delight was so great. Feeling like this, she had to wonder why she’d held back so long. “Ask away.”
“Are you in favor of kissing on the first date should things go as well as I hope?”
Her whole body shivered, something she hadn’t felt in ages. “It’s been a long time since I’ve dated, but if I recall, it depends on the night and the man.”
He made a sound deep in his throat—absolutely sexy to her ears.
“Then I will endeavor to make both the night and myself appealing to you.” He nodded toward her, almost courtly. “Well, I won’t keep you. Your rose and yourself will wish to become better acquainted. I’ll make us a reservation for next Wednesday if that suits.”
A smile flickered on her lips. “That will be fine.”
“Seven o’clock?”
“Perfect.”
Having agreed to go out on a date with Donal, she let her gaze roam up his body more slowly. Hedidhave a fine form. Her skin heated as she remembered the look of him without his robe on.Oh, Bets, you’re in for it.
“Cian’s on Bridge Street in Westport work for you? I’ll call and make sure they have the finest steak ready for us.”
That would be a drive—over an hour—but she loved the town. “Can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.”
“One last thing…” He shoved his large hands in his pockets. “You look absolutely beautiful holding that rose, but if I were the one judging, I’d say you were the more beautiful of the pair. I’ll see you, Betsy O’Hanlon.”
“You surely will, Donal O’Dwyer,” she replied, sounding all Irish.
