Page 81 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
His bright blue eyes were shining, and Kade shook his head at his friend’s teasing. “She’ll love you, Ryan, but ponies and puppies trump cocktails.”
His friend laughed gaily, and Duke rushed out and barked, only to completely change his demeanor when he realized the visitor was a friend. He danced at Ryan’s legs until Ryan picked him up, holding him high in the air. “Hi, Duke! He’s still the best dog, Kade. You might be right about ponies and puppies. Where’s Winston?”
“He’s inside the shed, waiting for you,” Kade said, putting an arm around the man’s shoulders and ushering him into the shed. “As is Majestic, who can’t wait to give you a ride.”
“Can we leave now?” Ryan asked, putting Duke down so he could pet Winston. “Who’s the big horse?”
He meant Legend, and Kade walked over to her stall. “I’m helping my dad with her.”
“If you’re helping your dad, you’re going to be in trouble,” Ryan said, making a face. “He doesn’t want you to work with people like me. We scare him.”
He sighed. He and Ryan had spoken of such things many times. “He doesn’t like thinking life isn’t fair or something he can control or shape to his will.”
“He wants everyone to be tough like him.” Ryan lifted his arm and flexed his muscle. “But it isn’t all about physical strength, is it, Kade?”
Kade put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Are people in Dublin being nice to you?”
He shrugged. “Mostly. But they still look at me like something’s wrong. I thought it wouldn’t hurt as much the older I got, but it still does.”
Kade’s throat thickened with emotion. “Of course it does, but it’s their loss, isn’t it? Are you not the best friend a man could ever have? Don’t you make the best cocktails?”
“You’re my best friend,” Ryan said, his smile full and encompassing. “And I do make the best cocktails.”
“When are you going to make them for us?” he asked.
Time was still an issue for his friend’s mind, he knew, but he watched with pride as Ryan took his smartphone out of his jacket pocket and opened his calendar. The calendar, which also held his to-do list, aided his mental comprehension. “Today is Thursday,” he said, touching the purple dot that indicated the day. “Tomorrow is Friday. I leave Sunday. That means I can do Friday or Saturday.”
“How about Friday?” Kade knew Megan’s schedule like his own since they spent nearly every evening together in some form.
“Friday is great!”
They went on a pony ride, Kade initiating Ryan’s favorite song, “Where the Streets Have No Name.” They sang together like Bono and The Edge, and his heart soared. His friend was home, the friend whose tragedy had helped him find his path, and Ryan would soon meet the woman he loved and the boy of his heart.
When Friday night rolled around, Megan fussed with the flowers she’d bought at the store, saying Kade should invite Ryan for dinner. He laughed, saying the Irish didn’t invite people over like that. Ryan would pop by for a visit after dinner, and sure enough, his friend arrived by car, driven by his mother.
Kade went out to greet Mrs. Hughes as Ryan waved at him and went around to open the trunk. She declined to come in, but she pressed some euros into his hands. “It’s not much, but you give it to your girl for the St. Stephen’s Day fair. Everyone wants that arts center to stay open, and we won’t let a few mean-spirited people close it down.”
Her hardship showed in her face, the wrinkles cutting deep lines. “We’ll be keeping it open, don’t you worry none. Ryan looks good.”
“He does,” she said, pressing a hand to her soft white hair. “His cousin in Dublin is an angel, like you.”
“You’re one yourself. I’ll see him home.”
“Thank you,” she said as Ryan slammed the trunk.
“I have what I need!” He held up the grocery bag. “See you, Mum. Don’t worry about me. I’m safe with Kade.”
“I know you are,” she said, blowing him a kiss and taking off.
Ryan gestured to his clothes. “Do I look okay? I hope she likes me.”
“Of course, she and Ollie will love you,” Kade said. “And you look like a man from the city. Polished. Respectable.”
“Not like you on the farm.” He sniffed the air. “The fields still smell like shite.”
They both laughed as they went into the cottage. Megan yanked on her sweater set. She hadn’t brought one of those out for a while, but apparently she’d wanted to dress up for his friend. He personally wished she’d worn the clothes she felt more comfortable in. She never yanked on her farm and pottery clothes.
“Ollie and Megan, this is one of my best friends ever, Ryan Hughes.”
