Page 62 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
Megan gave him a trusting look that shot straight to his heart and then set Duke down. The dog barked and trotted alongside her.
Kade strode toward Ollie, who was pretending to make circles in the dust on the shed’s floor with his shoe.
“You have something you want to talk to me about, I think.” Kade opened his arms as he crouched down. “Come here, Ollie.”
The little boy ran over to him and hugged him. “Are you really dating my mom? One of my friends from school told me when Aunt Angie and I went for ice cream.”
Kade gently pressed the boy back so he could see him. “That’s the way of it. I love your mother very much. As much as I love you. How do you feel about that?”
Ollie’s smile started slowly before breaking into an outright grin. “Good. I love you too, Kade, and I’m really glad you love my mom. Liam says we should all be loved.”
Such profound words for so little a boy. “He’s right,” Kade said, cupping the boy’s head. “How do you feel about spending more time around here?”
“I love the farm! I love Duke. And I love the horses. Kade, I want to grow up and ride a horse really fast. I even want to jump a fence like I’ve seen you do. Will you teach me how?”
Kade remembered being that age and wishing for the future. When his friend had gotten hurt, he’d stopped wishing. He’d let life unfold, and it had worked for him. But maybe he needed to start wishing again. Like for the new house he wanted to build for him, Megan, and Ollie. And for seeing thatbaby on the waylook he’d noticed in Carrick’s eyes in his own mirror.
“I’ll teach you anything that’s for me to teach.” Kade smiled when the boy let out a whoop. “And you have plenty of other new friends to help you learn whatever else your heart desires.”
“I know!” Ollie’s green eyes sparkled. “I love Ireland. It’s like you always say. It’s the best place on earth. Are you going to marry my mom?”
From one thought to the next. A little boy’s mind was like a pendulum. “It’s early yet, but that’s what I’m hoping for—wishing for, in fact.”
“Good!” He nodded. “I think it would be okay with my dad.”
Kade waited for him to continue.
He put a finger to the side of his mouth, his smile fading. “He was gone all the time. He didn’t want to be with us. You do. I like you better. Does that make me bad?”
“No,” Kade said, cupping his little arms. “Telling the truth is always good. Deep down you know the way of things. You listen to that, you’re golden for life.”
“I like how you talk,” Ollie said, smiling. “You Irish talk different, but I’m learning. Do you want to know what word I learned today from Aaron Patterson after he told me about you and my mom?”
Kade imagined it was going to be a good one. He’d gone to school with Aaron’s father. “Tell me.”
“Slobbering. That’s when you kiss a girl.”
Kade bit the inside of his cheek. He remembered Jamie talking about Ollie and Chloe Kilmartin perched in the trees, sharing their dreams. “Are you thinking about kissing a girl?”
“Maybe.” He lifted a shoulder. “Her name is Chloe, and she has the prettiest red hair. The other kids make fun of her sometimes and call her a ginger. They make me so mad I want to punch them, even though I know I could get into trouble.”
When Ollie looked down and kicked at the ground, Kade hugged him again, thinking through what to tell the little boy. Many of his special needs clients told him about other people making fun of them for being different. Growing up, he’d witnessed plenty of cruelty to Ryan after his accident, something that had infuriated him. “One of my friends was made fun of for being different. I’ll tell you what my mom told me. You can’t punch everyone, so it’s better to find another way to handle it.”
His mother had pointed out how often his dad had punched people growing up, something that hadn’t helped him one bit until he joined the local boxing club. Thathadhelped him expel some of the anger and frustration he’d felt, but it wouldn’t work for everyone.
“Ignoring it will drive those people mad because they’re doing it for the attention. But it’s okay to tell them to stop. They might not, but at least you’ll know you stood up for your friend.”
“I want her to know I won’t let anyone hurt her,” Ollie whispered. “My dad used to tell me that. About taking care of my mom when he was gone.”
Kade could feel the boy’s complicated feelings toward his father, something he understood all too well. Parents made strong impressions on their children. Still, it was up to each person what their legacy would be. “He was right. It’s good for the people you care about to know you’ll stand up with them, especially if they’re younger or aren’t as strong as you. You know, Ollie… You’re already turning into a really good man. Even at eight years old.”
The boy lit up. “I am?”
Kade smoothed his hair, thin and brown like his mother’s. “You are.”
“Good, because I want to be like you and Liam and Carrick and Mr. Fitzgerald. Oh, and Mr. O’Dwyer. He’s pretty cool too.”
“All good company.” Kade stood up. “How about we go and grab those steaks from your house? I’m making dinner for us.”
