Page 95 of One Bride for Three Single Dads

“She’s looking good, aye?”

I shake his hand, firm but not too firm.

“Everything worked out great. Thank you for all your help,” I smile back.

He stops and puts his hands on his hips, turning in a slow circle as he sighs and looks around. “You know, we never thought this project was going to get finished,” he shrugs. “They said they ran out of money. I guess they found somebody cheaper, eh?”

I plaster a fake smile on my face. I don’t think I will be missing Patrick.

“Don’t get me wrong!” he follows up in a hurry. “You Americans do pretty good work. But there’s nothing like Irish craftsmanship, didn’t we show you? You should tell your friends back home.”

I force a laugh. I start walking back to the truck, ready to get back to the cottage and start packing.

“So you’re leaving soon, eh?” he continues, acting like he doesn’t understand what’s going on. “I guess the cottage will be empty.”

“Really great to meet you, Patrick,” I smile thinly.

He rubs the back of his neck thoughtfully. “Kind of small for the lot of you, wasn’t it?”

I open the door to the truck.

“Just two bedrooms, aye?”

I meet his eyes. His face is weathered and crinkled, but he can’t be too much past thirty. He doesn’t have a family yet. I wonder if any woman is going to decide to put up with him.

“I might take your advice,” he adds confidentially. “You know? Must make the job go so much more pleasantly!”

“Take care of yourself, Patrick,” I smile, ready to leave.

He leans against the truck door frame, keeping me from closing it. He is enjoying this. I can tell.

“I mean, we bring all kinds of other supplies with us, am I right? Why not bring a little pussy, too?”

“I need the door, there,” I suggest, gritting my teeth together.

“Especially if you don’t mind sharing, ha! Just pass the lass around when you get tired of her! It’s genius!”

I don’t see it happen.

Later, I’m gonna wonder if I even did it.

What I see is my fist connecting with his face. I don’t remember drawing my arm back. I don’t even remember getting out of the truck.

Just my right fist, smashing his nose to the left, and Patrick falling right on his ass in the middle of a circle of mulch that literally bounces from the impact.

Goodbye, Ireland!

Chapter 40

JOLENE

It takes a little bit of convincing, but Amber agrees to stay with us for the remainder of our trip. Must be nice to be some kind of executive bigwig and be able to work remotely.

We spend the remaining few days down at the beach, lounging on the hot rocks, staring at the ocean from under our big, floppy hats.

With Amber here, I feel much more relaxed. Everything seems safer. And Alexis is a completely different kid. I realize that worry was starting to obscure her, like a dark cloud. She didn’t have the words to say it, but homesickness was beginning to change her.

I guess everything just gets better.

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