Page 6 of After Indigo Irish Nights
“Oh, you’ve got it so tough, Ace, living in an old place like that.” When she’d visited Ellie, she’d had to hold in her sighs at its beauty.
“It’s a grand place, for sure, and I have a grand living as well, but a man can vent, can’t he? Or don’t they do that back in Boston?”
“They do. I’m sure you’ll figure things out.” She gestured to their family’s pub. “Your brother did when he finally got to take over the Brazen Donkey from your dad.”
“He did at that, and with much help from his one true love.” He pointed to the window over the front door. “People have been coming to Caisleán to see her design. Not that the pub needed the advertising, but it’s brought new fame to the Brazen Donkey. She’s got one hell of a gift, that Ellie Buchanan.”
“She does indeed,” Kathleen agreed. “She’s been killing it.”
“I imagine you’ll do the same,” Declan said, shifting on his feet. “With Ellie as your herald, everyone in town is high on you.”
And you?she wanted to ask. She waited a beat. He met her gaze with pure potency.
“That’s nice. It’s always good to have friends, especially in a new place.”
“You certainly have that. And more.”
The wordmorelingered in the air, like a piece of paper waiting to catch fire from the sparks going up between them.
She poked first. “Lucky you happened to come along right as I pulled up. I’m guessing that was your butcher shop you left?”
He inclined his gorgeous chin in acknowledgment. “That’s right. It’s called the Last Chop.”
From the vantage point of the shop’s front window, he’d be able to see the lot of the pub. Could Declan have been waiting for her? “That’s a funny name.”
She made a slicing motion with her hand. Giddy like a schoolgirl because a boy she admiredliked her, she started laughing.
He joined in, his laughter a rough rumble of sound, before saying, “I find it pretty amusing myself, but I’m told I have a dark sense of humor, even by the Irish.”
“I don’t mind dark.”
“Good to know.” He held her eyes again.
She waited another moment. Wasn’t it weird they were talking this much? Especially when there were a bunch of people inside waiting to welcome her? Surely he was still standing here because he wanted to flirt. But did he want it to go beyond flirting?
Time to find out. She patted his broad, muscular chest. “I should probably head inside. You want to buy me my first true Irish beer?”
The silence between them grew again, charged with power. Dammit, he knew how to draw things out. He started to smile, holding her gaze still. Oh, he was working it.
Answer me.She poked at his chest when he didn’t budge. She wasn’t going to draw this out forever. “Forget it! I can buy my own damn beer.”
As she brushed past him, he closed a hand around her wrist, the touch shocking her nerve endings. “Now wait just a moment—”
“Kathleen O’Connor!” a male voice shouted from the pub’s front door. “You’re wanted inside.”
She didn’t need to pull her arm away. Declan dropped his hold instantly, but her flesh still sizzled. Wishing she could take a deep, cleansing breath, she gave her full attention to the ninety-three-year-old man bustling toward her. She’d met him on her last trip and had fallen totally in love with him. He had the soul of an artist, although he’d only begun to put it into practice recently.
“Eoghan O’Dwyer! You look even more handsome than you did when I last saw you.”
He gave her a cheeky wink as she kissed his weathered cheek. “Thank you, my dear. You’re as welcome to these eyes as a fine whiskey on a cold day. Ellie said you were coming along, but now I see the way of things. Is this one bothering you?”
Declan glowered. “We were having a chat, is all, you old codger. When did that become illegal in this country?”
She laughed, delighted Declan seemed put out by the interruption. She wondered if Ellie had sent Eoghan out. She’d have to ask her friend later. “He’s not bothering me. Much.”
Declan gave a rude snort.
“I’m kidding, Eoghan. Ace here and I were shooting the breeze and talking about Ellie’s window. I’d seen pictures but—”
