Page 63 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
Ollie walked alongside him as they left the shed and headed to his jeep. “Are we having dinner every night now that you and Mom are dating?”
A few rooks called out as they neared their perch, and a magpie landed on a hawthorn tree heavy with red berries. “We’ll have to ask your mom about that, but I imagine many nights, yes. There might be a few others where I’ll take your mom out to dinner, and you can stay with one of our friends. How does that sound?”
Ollie giggled. “So you and my mom can do the slobbering?”
Kade had to hold back laughter. “Aren’t you full ofcraic? Come on. Your mom is waiting.”
After their short errand was concluded, Ollie shot out of the jeep with a grin. “I’ll race you to the cottage.”
Ollie darted off like a slingshot. Kade wasn’t one to go full speed, so he jogged after the boy with the butcher bag swinging in his hand. Two swans flew overhead, the sound of their massive wings audible in the quiet around him. He watched the boy run toward his home, a feeling of rightness in his chest.
The scent of oranges enveloped him, and he sent off a blessing to Sorcha for her help. She would know about Carrick and Angie’s little secret, of course, and he had no doubt she was delighted. How far they’d all come, and in so short a time.
Megan was waiting for them in the doorway of his cottage with Duke, her short hair shining golden in the soft late afternoon sunlight. She was smiling from ear to ear as Ollie reached her. He wrapped his arms around her leg, saying something that made her face go blank with shock. Then the boy raced inside with the little dog. Her smile returned, although she was blushing.
“What did he say to you?” Kade asked when he stopped in front of her.
“He said he was glad we’re slobbering and that he loves Ireland.” Her brow wrinkled. “Kade, what’s slobbering?”
He leaned in to her ear. “I’ll show you later. Come. I’m about to make you a cocktail. Anything you’d like in particular?”
“Anything?” she asked, taking his free hand when he extended it to her.
“I probably can’t make a piña colada, but we Irish don’t drink that anyway.”
“Make something you think I’ll like.” There was the hint of a challenge in her eyes.
This time he did kiss her, lightly on the lips. Ollie knew they were together. Now it was time for him to see the affection between them. “I know just the thing.”
He led her inside and made her a gin fizz while Ollie chased the dog through the house.
She hummed at the first sip. “I love it. And I love being here with you—with Ollie playing with Duke. Kade, I would love to do this every night.”
Ollie had shared that wish easily, but he knew it was difficult for Megan to make such an admission. Taking her hand, he leaned in and kissed her again. “Then we will. How did pottery go today, by the way?”
The golds in her brown eyes shone brightly. “Incredible. I think I’ve locked into my center.”
He wasn’t surprised to hear it.
Love was the ultimate center.
