Page 75 of Against Ebony Irish Seas

“Any news on Linc’s efforts to get Bono to join the advisory board?” Jamie asked with a rare grin. “That would impress everyone in town. Not that it’s not incredible that we have Ireland’s most famous female Irish boxer on the board, but U2 would be another level.”

She laughed and savored the feeling. “It would certainly impress me! And no, there’s no definitive answer yet, but if anyone can do it, Linc’s the man. I like that he’s including highly respected Irish people on the board along with the regular folks. Ghislaine is very impressed, and not only with Linc.”

He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. “I’ve heard the news about her and Donal, and I’m thrilled.”

“Me too. Ghislaine has not been lucky in love. They’re different in all the obvious ways, but they’re both cut from the same cloth. Strong personalities who stand up for what’s right and savvy wheelers and dealers. They try to unify people with a common goal. I can’t wait to see how it’s going to play out.”

“Sometimes you just know—down to your bones—when you see someone.” He caressed her arm, which had her going all soft, because she knew he meant them as well. “Donal is already talking about spending time in Paris and traveling to New York with her when she needs to go. He lived in the States ages ago and is eager to return.”

There would inevitably be compromises between the couple, growing up differently as they had. But she and Jamie were no different, she thought, wincing as he spooned in instant coffee to his to-go mug. He said it was good in a pinch on workdays when he needed a jolt. She, on the other hand, had gone ahead and ordered a mini espresso maker for herself because she’d needed to delay her shipment yet again. Her taste buds would revolt over instant after all her time with freshly brewed coffee.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said after the kettle whistled. “Be glad I’m not knocking back a Red Bull like so many I know.”

She winced. “Miracles love company. I’ve thought about that a lot since you said it.”

He kissed her softly. “They do, indeed. I’ll see you later, and then you can get me excited about this dinner. I’m still not sure whether I’m going to enjoy it.”

“Trust me. You’ll enjoy it. Linc did not bring in any boring people.”

“I do. That’s why we all voted to let him make the choices in our emergency meeting Monday night. Everyone looks impressive, sure, but they live in another world.”

She pointed to the changing light outside the window as the mist fell, sunlight breaking through the light rain. “So do you, Jamie. We all live in our own worlds. My favorite thing is when we can combine them or overlap for a while and realize how much we have in common.”

“I have to kiss you again after that sentiment.”

He laid his lips over hers and made her sigh. She nuzzled into his arms, her heart beating madly in her chest. “I wish you didn’t have to go. But you do. So go. Before I throw myself all over you.”

Laughing, he picked her up off her feet. “That’s a possibility? Save it for later then. You can throw yourself at me when we meet for that nap you mentioned earlier.”

With a final quick kiss, he headed out of the kitchen. “Lock the door behind me,” he called.

She heard Rex bark as he left the cottage. The black-and-white dog was sweet, yet very serious. He liked to herd people to their cars and the front door. It was rather amusing.

As she turned the deadbolt, her mood dropped. The quiet was still a little unnerving, and a pang of longing for Greta rocketed through her.

Her daughter would be awake. She crossed to her phone and saw a text from Ghislaine asking for a call. She could ring the woman afterward.

Sandrine picked up her FaceTime call right away.

“I thought you were going to call this morning,” the older woman said with a smile. “A little someone is drawing flowers in the kitchen as Eoghan makes her a full Irish. I’ve never seen Greta eat so much. Every morning she eats one. She must be going through a growth spurt. Of course, he’s complaining about our boudin not being a substitute for black pudding. I told him boudin is better, of course, but he’ll hear nothing of it.”

Would Greta be taller by the time she came back to Ireland? Sophie was desperate for their separation to end, but without any progress in finding the vandals, she wasn’t sure yet when she’d feel comfortable bringing her daughter home. Tomorrow was the press conference. Another step. Donal and Linc thought it would help the Garda ombudsman address their complaint sooner, although no one could guess at the outcome.

When her daughter appeared onscreen, she found it easy to smile. Her blond hair had a blue butterfly barrette in it to match the butterflies on her white summer dress, and her brown eyes were shining with happiness. “I’ve been drawing flowers, Mama—the kind you like to draw. Everything is still blooming here because it’s still so hot. Not like Irelandat all. Eoghan says his bones are finally starting to warm up. Isn’t that funny?”

She touched the screen, wishing she could touch her daughter’s sweet face. “I hear you’ve been eating a full Irish breakfast every morning.”

“Eoghan says it makes you grow up strong and happy. Mama, I have something to tell you. There’s been a giant heron landing in our front yard.”

The small wonders of a child. God, how she treasured them. “Really? Where did he come from?”

Her daughter shrugged her little shoulders. “We don’t know. But it’s so still, and it moves so slowly. Even slower than Eoghan when his back is aching.”

Clearly, the older man was entertaining her daughter with his gift of the gab. “You’ll have to take a picture for me.”

“We’ve been trying to leave it alone so it will know it’s welcome here.”

Eoghan again, she imagined. “Feeling welcome is important. Maybe you can put out some milk and cookies.”

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