Part 5 (1/2)

aWell, this is it,a Bridget said, as we all stood in front of the small building.

As we walked in, there was a woman sitting behind a desk doing paperwork. She looked up, smiled, and came from behind the desk. aGood day to ya,a she smiled. She was about fifty or so, dark graying hair, and blue eyes.

Bridget introduced Mac as Brianas heir. Her eyes widened and she shook Macas hand and ours, as well.

aIs Mr. Nolan about?a Bridget asked.

aYes, heas in the back. Iall get him straight away.a She hurried to the back.

We waited for a minute or two, and a tall lanky man came from the back. He had curly short brown hair and green eyes. His ruddy complexion made him look as if he had just come in from the cold. When he smiled, his entire face lit up. He looked straight at Mac. aMr. McAuliffe, itas a pleasure, sir.a He stuck out his hand and gave Mac a hearty handshake.

Mr. Nolan took Mac and Teri on a tour of the mill, and I stayed back with Peter and Bridget. We walked outside and stood by the cars.

aI think Rory likes your brother-in-law,a Bridget said, smiling at me.

aHeas an easy man to like,a I said.

aHeas a grand man. Youare all good people,a Peter said. aSo was Brian.a aPeter, how in the world did he stumble over that wall?a I asked.

aI donat know.a aWho was the man in America? Do you have any idea?a aI donat know that, either. Iam sorry,a he said and walked away.

Bridget looked at me. aIs this something I should know about?a aRight now, Miss Donnelly, I donat think so.a aIf itas something concerning Mac, being his lawyer, I might be able to help.a aI agree. If it comes to that, Iall let you know,a I said, ending the topic.

aYouare a mystery, Miss Ryan.a aI donat mean to be, and please call me Kate,a I said.

aIf youall call me Bridget.a With that, Mac and Teri came out with Rory Nolan. aWell, Mac, thatas the milla”small but efficient. All the workers are from the village, been workina the mill all their lives,a he said proudly.

aI see no reason to change that, Rory.a Mac shook his hand. aIam glad we got the opportunity to talk. My wife and I will be staying at the house in a day or two. Weall have you and Mrs. Nolan over for dinner.a Rory beamed. aThat would be grand.a He shook Terias hand and went back into the building.

aSeems like a nice guy,a I said.

aIf youall excuse me, I have to be getting back. I have a client at four,a Bridget said and turned to me. aKate, Iall see ya at seven.a She gave me a quick wink and I smiled, then caught the glare from my sister.

Chapter 8.

As I showered and dressed, there was a knock at my door. It was Teri of the scowling face.

aWhat is the matter with you?a I asked. aYouave been giving me dirty looks all day. G.o.d, you look like Mom.a aWhat are you doing?a she asked.

aIam only going out for dinner. Iam on vacation. Geez,a I said and b.u.t.toned my s.h.i.+rt. I glanced up and laughed. aWill you quit with the looks? Christ, itas just dinner.a aIt better be,a Teri said with a maternal tone.

I gaped at her. aIam an adult. I know what Iam doing. Good grief, you complain that I lock myself up in my cabin. Now... Great, now I feel guilty, and Iam not doing anything wrong. You are like Mom.a aHave you called Maggie again?a aYes, and sheas out again, probably with Allison. Maggie is an adult, too,a I said frankly, ending the discussion.

I stood outside Bridgetas office for a minute or two before I looked up to see her jogging across the street.

aI was delayed at the police station. I had to post bail for a client. Iam sorry,a she apologized.

aThatas all right, I understand. So whereas this restaurant?a We walked down the cobblestone pavement. It was chilly, my neck and back were starting to ache. I could never live here year-round.

aSo Peter tells me youare a photographer. That sounds exciting. You must have seen a great many places,a she said.

aIave been around the States mostly. Iave been to Ireland before, but this is the first time I have an a.s.signment abroad,a I said. aThis is a beautiful country. I hope I can stay awhile with Mac and Teri. I think I could get some beautiful photos of this countryside. Itas so wild and has an untamed feel about it. There must be a great many tales spun around the fire at night.a aThere is a great history in this part of the country. Our religious men were forced to hide themselves away. Sailing s.h.i.+ps, pirate s.h.i.+ps, Viking and Spanish invasions. This coast was quite busy a few centuries ago. So many countries have invaded Ireland. You know America is the only country weave invited,a she said as we continued down the walk.

aAnd we appreciate the invitation.a I smiled as she laughed. I was finding it easy to talk to her. aI know Mac and Teri are glad to be here, but sorry about the reason.a aYes, it was a shame. Brian was a good man. A quiet, simple fellowa”a humanitarian and a patriot.a aHe sounds like he shouldave been knighted.a aI guess I was partial to Brian. He was a good man.a aLoyalty is an admirable quality.a aThank you, Kate,a she said politely.

We got to the restaurant where, it seemed, everyone knew Bridget. aSame table, Brig?a the waitress asked.

aYou must come here often,a I said as I sat down.

aI do like this place,a she said, putting the napkin in her lap. aThe prawns are marvelous.a We talked of nothing in particular as I looked at her over the candlelight. I noticed how attractive she was. Her raven hair curled about her face and her blue eyes sparkled. Our eyes met for an instant and she grinned and quickly looked at the menu.

We ordered and Bridget cleared her throat. aI think you and I are cut from the same cloth, so to speak.a She looked right at me and smiled knowingly.

I raised my eyebrows. Well, any doubts I had were quickly dispelled. aSo to speak.a aGrand, wanted to make sure before we go any further,a she said and drank her wine.

I coughed nervously and ate my prawns. aThese are good. We usually donat get shrimp this big back home.a What did I say?

She laughed heartily. aWeave lost many a fis.h.i.+ng boat to them, thatas for sure.a I laughed out loud at that one. She had the Irish gift of talking easily with anyone.

aWhat shall we discuss?a she asked.

aBrian McAuliffe,a I said frankly.

She frowned and sat back. aI thought you might want to talk about something a little more pleasant.a She looked disappointed, but I felt this topic would do fine. aWhat more can I tell you?a She had her lawyeras voice now, as she smoothed the napkin in her lap.

aWhy wouldnat he leave his estate to his immediate family?a I asked, drinking my wine.

aI donat know. He didnat get on with his brother, heas the greedy one. Then thereas Tim Devereaux, he was married to Colleen, Brianas younger sister. Sheas been gone these past four yearsa”left her share of the mill to Tim. Theyave been harping at Brian for years to sell. Theyare all younger, you see. Brian was sixty-nine and the oldest. Letas see. James is sixty-six and Colleen would be fifty-nine. Mother and father died twelve years ago. Brian never married, no children. I donat know why he never married, and I donat know why he didnat stay at the main house. And before you ask, Iall look tomorrow for the key to that door,a she finished in a huff.

I had my winegla.s.s up to my lips and stopped. aI-I, well, thank you,a I ended foolishly.

aIam sorry. I have a frightful temper.a aDonat apologize. Itas my lot in life to be surrounded by ill-tempered women.a I laughed and raised my gla.s.s to her.

aYa poor la.s.s. Itas a fate worse than death,a she said, smiling as she watched me over her winegla.s.s. aSo if ya donat mind my askina, why are ya here alone? I canat imagine a woman as attractive as you unattached.a aThereas nothing wrong with being unattached. How is that you are not otherwise engaged for the evening?a I countered affably.

aActually, I had a decision to make for this evening. Iam content with my choice,a she said, grinning over her winegla.s.s.

aYoung woman, you need to set higher goals for yourself,a I said and continued eating.

She raised her eyebrows and drank her wine. aThat was a sour thing to say.a I looked up at her and realized that it was. aIam not a very good dinner partner. Youare right. I apologize.a We talked absently over coffee. aSo tell me about the banshee,a I said.

I waited for a good story. Bridget did not disappoint. aThey are very real ent.i.ties. Every family has one. The banshee wails foretelling a death. If ya hear her wailing, someone in the family is near death, ya can be sure of it.a I watched her. She was serious. My grandmother used to tell us of the banshee, but I always thought it was an Irish ghost story. Bridget looked at me so seriously, she scared me. aGood grief, woman. You believe in them?a I asked as my skin crawled.

She nodded and finished her coffee. aI do indeed. Itas no joke.a She looked at her watch. aJaysus, itas almost midnight. Iave got court at nine. Iam sorry. Iave got to get goina. Do ya mind?a aOf course not,a I said.

We walked through town back to her car in silence. aThanks so much for dinner. It was grand.a She held out her hand.