Page 76 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
Liam’s sigh told her how torn he was, but in the end, he tugged off his gloves. “Let’s go. Declan, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll put the welcome mat out for you at Summercrest Manor.”
Liam laughed. “Like you’d buy one.”
“See ya, Bets,” Declan said. “Best go out the back way or you’ll be here another hour.”
She waved, realizing he was right. People were upset—herself included—and they’d be wanting to talk while they cleaned up. Sneaking out the back wasn’t her way, but so be it. She tried to shake off the heavy feelings as she got into her car and Liam raced off on his motorcycle.
When she passed Keegan O’Malley’s cows, she spotted one withHopeon her black fur. She hadn’t seen that word on one of Keegan’s cows before. Had he spray-painted a new cow after he started dating Lisa Ann Walsh? Being with someone gave a person hope, she knew. Donal had brought that and more into her life.
So had Liam.
Tonight they would celebrate their bond, and tomorrow she would face what she hadn’t let herself think about. Empty nest syndrome. She’d always thought that phrase overly dramatic—syndrome suggested a condition that needed to be cured with medicine—but there was no denying she would feel the loss of Liam, her baby.
When she arrived, Liam was already in the kitchen, pulling out the ingredients for his favorite dinner: mac and cheese.
“We’ve had a great run, haven’t we?” she said, leaning against the doorway, memorizing this moment.
He flashed her a charming smile, letting her know he’d shaken off the arts center too. “We have, Mum. Come on, let’s make dinner and then we’ll watch our movie.”
“What did you settle on?” she asked.
“Gladiator,” he said, fingering his gold earring. “I’ve always wondered what it would have been like to be one.”
She rolled her eyes. “Russell Crowe makes it look easy. Better to be the lion in the Colosseum, I think.”
He laughed, and she joined in, kicking off what would be the first of many laughs that night. They stuffed themselves with mac and cheese and then changed into their pj’s and climbed onto her bed to watch the movie shoulder to shoulder. Growing up, her boys had binged onGladiatormore times than she could count. While she’d never had trouble watching Russell Crowe, she still covered her eyes at the more gruesome parts, smiling as Liam laughed at her squeamishness. When the credits started to roll, she laid her head against his shoulder. His arm came around her.
She didn’t want their night to end. Once it did, things would never be the same. The word she’d seen earlier flashed in her mind.Hope.She reached for it. Yes, a phase of life was ending for them both. But there was always something beginning too. She thought of Donal. He was part of her new beginning. Liam would have new adventures as well.
“I love you, Mum,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
“I love you too,” she said, hearing the emotion in his voice. “We should have a slumber party like this every now and then.”
He squeezed her tightly. “Count on it.”
When they said good night, she lay awake in her bed. When he was little, she’d have wandered into his room and watched him sleep. Her boys had looked so cute when they were tucked into their beds. She rolled over and clutched a pillow. She was being nostalgic. It hadn’t all been sweet boys in superhero pajamas kissing their mother. There had been war cries and tussles and muddy footprints in the house. Some moments her heart had melted. Other moments she’d wanted to bellow at the constant chaos of three boys.
But she wouldn’t change any of it.
She finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.
When she woke, she padded into the kitchen, the aroma of fresh coffee filling her nose. Walking over to pour herself a cup, she discovered an envelope withMumon it beside the coffee maker. Liam’s writing. She slit it open, pulled out the plain stationery, and began to read.
Dear Mum,
There is a lot in my heart as I write this, and it would be pages longer if I said everything I feel. So I’ll keep it simple. I’m grateful you’re my mum and that you’re continuing to grow and discover more about yourself and what you want out of life. I’ve always admired you for being someone who talks straight, wears peacock earrings, and encourages the people she loves to go on adventures. You gave us all wings. Now it’s time for you to enjoy your own.
Along those lines, I have a little treasure hunt for you, so get dressed and grab your shoes. And don’t read ahead. You know I’ll know.
That made her laugh despite her watery vision. She went and got dressed. When she came back downstairs, she picked up the letter again.
Now… You’re going to want to walk down the path along the back side of the house and follow the signs. Bring your phone. When you reach the end, open this letter again and go to the next page.
Signs? He had her curiosity piqued. She stepped out, grateful it was dry outside, and the quiet stole around her as she walked in that direction. The first sign was a large purple ribbon tied to a low-hanging oak tree, something she’d done on May Day when the boys were little. There were more ribbons on the trees, every few yards. They led her to the tree house. At the base, there was a hand-painted sign with an arrow pointing up beside the ladder.
Really, Liam?
