Page 28 of The Bossy One

I blinked, realizing I was on the verge of crying. The longer I stayed, the more I risked Declan or Catie seeing me breaking down. I didn’t want that for Catie, because I liked her. And I didn’t want that for Declan, because right now, I hated him and his stupid, beautiful face. He didn’t deserve to see how much he’d upset me, how hurt I was at his callousness.

Normally, I’d wait for my employer to buy my ticket home, but I didn’t want to wait. I had enough miles to get home right away without having to spend a fortune. I kept saving them for vacations I never took.

I stormed into my room and started packing. It didn’t take long. I was almost done when I heard the doorbell blasting the catchily optimistic “Take a Chance on Me.”

My mom had loved that song.

My throat tightened. I shoved the thought aside, zipped my suitcase, and went to open the door.

Catie beat me to it.

“Grandma!” she cried when she opened the door and saw Marie. “Uncle Declan and Miss Olivia are fighting, so I get to watch a video on Miss Olivia’s tablet.”

“Oh,” Marie said, and then she saw the suitcase I was holding. “Oh.”

I winced.

Marie handed Catie a loaf of soda-bread covered in clear plastic wrap. “Can you be a good girl and take this to the kitchen for me?”

Catie nodded and scampered off.

Marie shut the door and looked at me apologetically. “I know Declan can be harsh, but you’re so good for Catie. I’m sure once you get to know him better—”

“This isn’t my choice,” I interrupted, because it hurt to listen to her optimism. I wanted this to be something time could fix, but it just wasn’t. I collected my tablet from where Catie had abandoned it and tucked it into my shoulder bag. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

Marie sighed, but she didn’t protest. “Are you off to the bus stop, then? It’ll take you into Galway. From there, you can catch one to the Dublin airport.”

I nodded, then hesitated. “I was going to wait until Declan got off work for the day. But if you could watch Catie, then I’ll be free to go right away. I’d rather…” I swallowed past the tightness in my throat. “I’d rather not linger.”

Marie looked sad, but she nodded reluctantly. “Of course.”

“Thanks.”

Now comes the hard part, I thought.

I went to the kitchen, where Catie had industriously pulled a chair over to the cupboard, so she could climb up and pull down some plates for the soda bread.

“Hey, hon,” I said, doing my best to keep my voice bright. “We’re going to change things up a bit. I have to go home. But your Grandma’s going to watch you for the rest of this afternoon, and after that, your uncle Declan is already finding an awesome woman to hang out with you during the day, like I do.”

Catie turned to look at me, wearing the little worried frown between her eyebrows that meant she was trying to figure something out. “When will you come back?”

My heart twisted. “I’m sorry, honey. I don’t think I am.”

Catie’s face grew increasingly upset. “But…but you made a friend at the bookshop.”

I smiled, crouching down. “I did. And I’m glad I got to be her friend for a little while, even if I need to go now. Just like I’m glad I got to be your friend, too.”

Catie’s lower lip trembled. “I don’t want you to go,” she said.

“Oh, honey.” I took hold of her hand, squeezing it gently. “It’s okay to feel sad when people have to leave. I’m sad, too. But I am also so, so happy I got to spend this time with you.” I spread my arms. “Can I have a hug goodbye?”

She clambered off the chair and gave me a hug.

I held her close and let her sweet scents of grass, dirt, and little girl sweat wash over me.

I love my job, I told myself as I blinked back tears.I love my job, I love my job, I love my job…

But as I pulled away, I forced a smile for Catie’s sake, and walked out the door with my suitcase, I couldn’t lie to myself.

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