Part 4 (1/2)

Friday morning rolled around. I put my luggage by the front door. My insane dog looked at the luggage, then at me and went behind the chair by the fireplace and lay there watching me. She knew the drill. I get ready to leave and she hides. I take her to the kennel and feel guiltya”Iam sure she feels vindicated.

I drove back from my guilt trip to a completely empty house, and for the first time in my life, I felt alone. I stood in the living room looking around, and I thought of Maggie. I now felt nauseated. The phone rang and I tripped over my luggage getting to it. With my foot caught in the strap, I dragged it with me to the phone.

ah.e.l.lo?a I said, while shaking my leg.

aGeezus, what are you doing?a It was Teri.

aThis luggage is alive,a I growled as I tried to free myself. aWhatas up?a aNothing, the cabas on the way, weall be there in fifteen minutes. Maggie hasnat called?a aShe called this morning at four thirty. I thought maybe shead call again. I donat know why.a aAt least you got to talk to her. Thatas good.a aDefinitely, I didnat want to go without talking to her or Hannah,a I said.

ah.e.l.l, the cabas early, itas here. Weall be there in a few minutes.a I could hear the excitement in her voice. Then I wondered what in the world was waiting for us in Irelanda”my excitement turned into anxiety.

The flight was long and tiring. I tried to sleep but couldnat. Mac and Teri held hands most of the way. I put my head back and smiled.

aWhat are you smiling at?a Mac asked.

I looked over at him and noticed Teri was sound asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. aI was thinking how much in love you guys are. You make it look so easy.a aEasy?a He looked down at Teri and whispered to me, aYou may not know it, but your sister is sometimes the most difficult person to deal with.a aAnd youare a saint.a aWell.a He chuckled openly. aRemember when I first asked Teri to marry me? I was petrified.a aNo. Really, why?a I turned in my seat to face him. We have never had this kind of conversation before.

aWell, Iam eight, almost nine, years older and thought I was too old for her. I was pretty set in my ways and the thought of waking up and finding someone next to me was scary.a aI know exactly how you felt. I feel that way about me with Maggie. Sheas a great gal. I really think Iam too old for her. Though I do enjoy the time we spend together as friends.a Mac gave me a skeptical look. aJust friends?a aI think thatas best. Itas been so long for me. This business before, I donat know if I can do it again. I donat want anything to happen to our friends.h.i.+p. It means a great deal to me,a I said honestly. I was being honest, right?

aWhy are you so hard on yourself? I never understood that about you.a The flight attendant came up and asked us if we wanted anything. aYes, two b.l.o.o.d.y Marys please,a he said and looked at me. aOh, who cares, weare on vacation. So answer my question.a aIt scares me that I could have been so easily manipulated before. I shouldave seen it coming. I let my guard down, and I nearly paid for it with my lifea”and Bobas,a I finished.

aYou have to make a conscious effort to get past that, and not only for Maggieas sake. If sheas not the one for you, sheas not. You need to get over this for your own sake. You canat live like this anymore. What happened back at your house is bound to happen again.a aTeri said I canat hide behind my sarcastic remarks or hide in my log cabin. She was right, as usual.a I put my head back.

aDonat ya hate when that happens?a he asked. aAnd you are quite the sarcastic wench. However, your sister has little room to talk. You both get it from your father. I miss him, but you certainly got his instincts. Thatas one reason Iam glad you came along. I think I may need your expertise. Something is definitely rotten in Donegal,a Mac said seriously.

I nodded in agreement as our new best friend the flight attendant came our way.

When I stepped off the plane at ShannonAirport, I felt at home. It was as breathtaking as before. We walked through the small airport and saw Peter Sullivan waving to us. aYou all look like happy exhausted travelers. How was the flight?a aFine, Peter. You looked rested and well.a Mac shook his hand.

aI am. Thank you. Letas be on our way.a We followed him out of the terminal and into the windy, damp late afternoon Irish air.

I took a deep breath and sighed. aNow this is clean air,a I announced and noticed the rental car. aHow in the h.e.l.l are we all going to fit in that?a It was the typical rentala”small, complete with shoe horn. How Mac and he got the entire luggage into that small trunk, Iall never know.

Peter drove wildly, as the Irish do. The driving is completely opposite from the States. The last time I was here, it took me a few days to get the hang of it. We drove north toward Donegal, pa.s.sing through Galway. To the left was the Atlantic Ocean, to the right, beautiful rolling hills of green. It was cloudy, so we really couldnat get a good view of the sunset, but we had plenty of time.

aWho knows weare coming?a Mac asked.

aNo one. Iave said nothing. Only Deirdre knows,a he said as if proud of himself for keeping the secret.

aWhoas Deirdre?a Teri asked from the backseat.

aOh, sheas my girlfriend. Weare to be married someday when I can afford it,a Peter said.

aGood for you,a Mac said and patted him on the back.

Teri and I both realized that Mac had already taken the dubious Mr. Sullivan under his fatherly wing.

aI took the liberty of making the reservations for all of ya,a Peter said as we pulled up to a small inn, right off the main Donegal road.

After settling into our rooms, we headed down to the small dining room where Peter met us. aIad best be goina. Iall pick you up at nine. How does that sound?a He stifled a yawn.

aPeter, sit and eat with us,a I offered.

He s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably. aNo, no. You enjoy yourselves.a I gave him a curious look. aDo you have a room here for the night?a He avoided my eyes. aNo, Iam stayina down the road.a I know a lie when I hear one.

Mac watched him. aPeter, whatas going on?a aSit,a Teri said motherly and pulled out a chair. aCamon, what are you hiding?a It appeared Mac and Teri knew it, as well.

aI-I donat have a room,a he said, looking at the plate on the table. aI was staying with Deidre since Brian died. However, sheas in Dublin. I donata”a Mac got up without a word and went to the desk. Peter sat there, staring at his hands when Mac came back. aNow you have a room, and now we eat. Iam starving.a Peter smiled sheepishly and agreed. There was something about him, though. I couldnat figure it out. I watched him as he joked and talked with Mac and Teri. Something didnat fit.

aSo, Peter, you look young to be a horse trainer, how old are you?a I asked.

aTwenty-seven. I-Iave been around horses all my life.a He shrugged and continued eating. He hadnat looked at me, though.

aGood grief, youare a baby,a Teri said amazed.

Heas no baby. I looked at him. He glanced at me, and for a split second, our eyes locked, and I knew I was right. Somethingas up with Mr. Sullivan.

I slept like a rock, in fact we all dida”jet lag. I met Teri and Mac in the dining room at eight oaclock for breakfast. Peter joined us, looking rested.

aHey, how are your st.i.tches?a Teri asked, eating her toast.

aOh, I had aem taken out. Iama”how do you Yanks say it?a”fit as a fiddle. Whatever that means,a he said and drank his tea. aMaggie, sheas a wonder.a aSpeaking of Maggie, did you try her again last night?a Teri asked.

aYes, she was out again.a I fought the wave of irritation.

aI called Bridget Donnelly, and sheas going to meet us at ten oaclock at her office,a Mac said.

It was a beautiful windy, sunny morning as we stood by the car. I put on my sungla.s.ses. aCan I drive?a aHave you ever driven in Ireland before, Kate?a I nodded. aYep, so hand over the keys.a Teri and Mac sat in the back. aPlease be careful,a Teri said.

I turned around and looked over my sungla.s.ses. aAlways,a I said and revved the engine and took off. It took me about ten minutes to get the feeling back.

Peter quickly put on his seat belt and gave me a wary look. aIam impressed,a he said as we drove around a curve.

aIam scared,a I heard Mac say from the back.

Chapter 7.

Bridget Donnellyas office was at the northern end of Donegal. She was an extremely attractive woman. She was almost as tall as I was, with black curly long hair and violet blue eyes.

aMr. McAuliffe?a she asked with a thick Irish brogue.

Mac introduced all of us. When she shook my hand, our eyes met, and she shook it for an instant longer and let it go.

aDid you have a nice flight?a she asked. We all concurred it was long but worth it. aThatas grand. First I have a few papers here to sign. Mr. OaShea called earlier in the week and said everything went well in the States. Itas my job to make sure everything goes well here. So these are formalities, Mr. McAuliffe.a As they talked business, I glanced around Miss Donnellyas office. It was decorated in soft tones, probably meant to keep irritated clients at ease. I noticed not one, but two diplomas on the wall and raised an eyebrow when I saw something odd, or maybe Iam odd.

aHave you heard anything from Brianas family?a Mac asked Miss Donnelly. I turned my attention back to the conversation.