“No, I just told her I wasn't going to wait around forever.”
Jack nodded approvingly. “A sensible approach.”
Bettina jerked a thumb at Jack. “Will you listen to Mr. Relationship Expert over here?”
“A man's entitled to his opinion,” Jack huffed.
“Keep telling yourself that.” Bettina touched Jack on the shoulder. “Did you tell Liam about the phone call you got from America?”
“Thanks for reminding me. Totally slipped my mind with Padraig's death and all.” Again his eyes met Liam's in the rearview mirror. “I got a call from some woman in America. Said she worked for a book publisher and that there's some big shot writer over there who's doing a book tour of Ireland and wants to do a reading at the pub. Says he knows you.”
“PJ Leary?”
“Yes. That was the name.”
"He's been a regular at my parents' place forever. He's been writing some Celtic fantasy novel for years. Quinn told me he sold it for megabucks. He's a nice guy.
“All right, then. I'll call the woman back and tell her it's a go.”
Liam thought the villagers would probably like PJ. He was down-to-earth, and since he was capable of talking the ear off a brass monkey, he'd probably get on well with Jack.
“This doesn't mean we have to buy a copy of his book, do we?" Bettina asked apprehensively. Nah, he'll probably give you one for free.
“Great. I could do with a good read.” There was a split second of quiet, and then Bettina gasped.
“Liam, get down! Get down!”
“What?” Liam asked, bewildered.
“That fella who's been asking after you - he's walking down the high street!” said Jack.
“But he doesn't even know what I look like!”
“Just get down, get down,” Bettina hissed.
Shit, Liam thought, slumping down. He was just about at his wit's end with this melodrama. If the guy wanted to kill him, he'd find a way to kill him, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Jack slowed down, obeying the town speed limit. Unable to resist, Liam peeked his head over the edge of the back window. The guy was tall and thin, dressed in a suit, carrying a briefcase. Once they were past him, Liam sat back up, poking Jack in the shoulder.
“That was the guy?”
“That was him, all right.”
“You told me he was beefy! And that he had a scar on his cheek and looked kind of shady!”
Jack coughed uncomfortably. “I might have, you know, exaggerated a bit in all my nervousness.”
“Yeah, just a bit,” Liam replied sarcastically.
“You'd think he'd have figured out by now that he'll get nowhere,” snapped Bettina.
Liam grimaced. “Trust me: if the Mob sent him, he's going to keep coming back until he gets what he came for.”
Bettina looked upset. “Please don't say things like that.”
“It's true.” Liam rolled up the window as it began to rain
“Maybe he's just going to kneecap you or something,” Bettina suggested weakly. “Well, whatever he's going to do, I can't stop him. If he comes into the pub asking about me and I'm there, then I'm not going to run. I can't duck him forever. If he's gonna kill me, he's gonna kill me, end of story.”
Bettina shuddered. “Let's stop talking about this. Please.”
They drove the rest of the road in silence.
Straight Up
Chapter Thirty-four
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Aislinn was tiring of her cold war with Nora. It had been three weeks since they'd had their showdown, and they hadn't spoken a word to each other since. She'd been cranky, reluctant to talk about it with anyone, but eventually Alec coaxed the source of her bad mood out of her. Unfortunately, he then turned around and told one of his brothers, and as was always the case in Ballycraig, eventually the whole town knew about Nora's plan. Aislinn felt bad about that, but maybe, if enough people told Nora it was a mad idea, it would help her get it through her thick head that the B and B plan would never happen.
At least she and Alec were working well together. He'd kept his promise not to make calf's eyes at her and proved to be a natural salesman at the farmers' market. As she'd done with Padraig, she split all profits with him.
Aislinn hadn't yet worked up the courage to clean out Padraig's cottage. It felt too soon, as well as too sad, especially since he had no family to give his belongings to. There was only one memento she wanted to keep for herself: a photograph of her father and Padraig when they were in their early twenties, standing together smiling after herding the flock into the meadow directly across the street. They looked so handsome and happy, Padraig's arm draped congenially over her father's shoulder. Both doing the job they loved to do - a job she, too, loved.
She hadn't been down to the pub since she and Liam had had their discussion in the kitchen the morning of the memorial service. She told herself it was because she was too exhausted, but the truth was, she was nervous that she'd walk in there, and he'd tell her he'd given up on her. Aislinn knew she couldn't avoid him forever, so she resolved she'd go to the Oak that evening for her usual dram of whiskey and let the chips fall where they may.
*****
I knew she couldn't avoid me forever, Liam thought to himself, pleased, when Aislinn came breezing into the Oak. She was immediately the center of attention when she walked through the door. Everyone felt compelled to come over to her and put their two cents in about Nora.
“How's the B and B coming along?” Fergus called to Aislinn, tongue in cheek.
“Oh, grand, grand,” Aislinn replied, coming over to the bar.
“She'll get hers yet,” Bettina sniffed. “The usual?” Aislinn nodded, her gaze almost tentative as she regarded Liam. “Hello.”
“Hey.” Behind him. Liam sensed Bettina and Jack acting as casual as could be, but he knew they'd be listening in on every word he and Aislinn exchanged, mining it for nuance and hidden meaning.
“I heard about Nora,” Liam continued.
“Everyone's heard about Nora.”
Aislinn accepted her drink from Bettina with thanks. She was being friendly, conversational. Liam wasn't sure how to interpret it. Maybe she'd come to tell him she wanted to get back together and was just easing into it?
“Is it true she's still up at the house?” David asked.
Aislinn nodded.
“Surely she's got to leave sometime to go home to that toff,” said Jack.
“Yes, she does - home to the toff and her job, when her sabbatical ends,” Aislinn explained.
“And when's that?” Bettina asked.
“Not soon enough, believe me,” said Aislinn.
Everyone laughed - until the pub door swung open wide and in walked the mysterious stranger. Talk came to a grinding to a halt. The man looked around the room; finally his cool, appraising stare zeroed in on the bar.
“You Liam O'Brien?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Liam felt oddly calm, even though his guts were turning into ice water. All he could think was: Please, God, don't let him blow me away in front of everyone. Let him at least have the decency to ask to talk to me outside and do it there. He hated the thought of the people he loved, especially Aislinn, having to see his brains splattered against the back of the bar.
“Ah, so we finally meet,” said the man. No one moved. No one said a word.
He hoisted his briefcase up onto the bar. Liam tensed as he opened it.
Out came a sheaf of papers. “It's been brought to my attention that you've been working in Ireland illegally.”
Liam furrowed his brows. “Who are you?”
“Name's Thomas McNulty. I'm from the INIS - Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service. We were informed you were working in this country without a work permit and came to investigate.”
“And you were told this by - ?”
“I'm not at libe
rty to say.”
“You are aware you can be deported for this,” McNulty continued.
“Not unless you're putting him on a plane right now,” Aislinn spoke up.
McNulty turned to look at her. “Pardon?” . . Irish citizen, “We're getting married tomorrow morning,” she declared, which means he'll be married to an Irish citizen, and his working here won't be an issue.”
Liam stared at Aislinn. She stared back. Her face revealed nothing. McNulty frowned. “Is that so?”
“It is,” said Bettina, her hands on her hips. “That's why we're so packed in here tonight: we're all celebrating. Can I get you anything, Mr. McNulty? It's on the house.”
“A whiskey, thank you.” McNulty actually looked disappointed. “You might be able to work here legally as of tomorrow,” he said to Liam in an authoritarian tone, “but tonight you'd best come out from behind that bar right now, unless you want to be arrested and deported.”
“A night off'? Sounds great.” Liam whipped off his apron and came out from behind the bar, putting a friendly hand on McNulty's shoulder. “Anything else I can help you with?”
McNulty closed up his briefcase. “That will be all.” He raised his glass. “Congratulations on your impending nuptials. May you have a long, happy life together.”
“Thank you,” Aislinn and Liam said in unison as he quickly drained his glass. “You drive safe now,” Bettina called after McNulty as he left. “And while you're about it, don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out,” she muttered under her breath. When he was gone, she turned to Aislinn with a big grin. “So, what time should we be at the registry office tomorrow morning?”
*****
As soon as McNulty left, Liam excused himself to go to the men's room to throw up. He knew it was just his body purging itself of the terror of thinking the guy had come to kill him. Thank God, he thought, splashing his face with cold water as he tried to stop shaking. Thank God, thank God, thank God.
He ambled back out into the pub, patting Teague on the back collegially as he pointed behind the bar. “Go on. Fill in for me tonight. That's what you were hoping for when you called the INIS, right? That I'd be deported, and the job would open up for you, the Irishman I'd robbed of employment? Go for it.”
Teague gave him a dirty look.
“Yes, come on. Teague.” said Jack. “Show us what a hardworking and sociable lad you really are.”
“He's not coming behind this bar,” Bettina snapped. “He'll be lucky if I ever let him in here again after what he did.”
“I didn't do anything!” Teague insisted.
“Fat lying bastard,” Bettina continued disgustedly. “I can't stand the sight of you. Get out!”
Teague scrambled off his stool faster than Liam had ever seen him move in his life. Everyone watched him go.
“He's a disgrace, that one,” said Bettina. “He'd best give me a wide berth if he knows what's good for him.”
“You and me both,” said Liam. He walked over to Aislinn. “Can we talk?” he asked quietly.
“Of course.”
“Let's go upstairs.”
*****
She'd never been one for impulsiveness, but Aislinn knew there were times when one had to take action, and when the INIS man threatened Liam with deportation, the words “We're getting married” just flew from her mouth. She waited for the man to accuse her of just marrying Liam so he could remain in the country. But that wasn't why she had done it. She'd done it because she loved him, and because a world without Liam O'Brien in it wasn't one she wanted to live in.
She followed Liam into his flat, smiling to herself as the chatter in the pub resumed. Liam sat on the couch, looking up at her incredulously.
“What?” Aislinn asked, sitting down beside him.
"You didn't have to do that.'
“I know I didn't.” Aislinn took his hand. “But I wanted to. Because I love you. That was me tossing the ball back into your court, love. I couldn't bear it if you were deported.”
“So we're getting married tomorrow.” He sounded stunned.
“Unless you don't want to, in which case -”
“I have an idea,” Liam interrupted.
“What's that?”
“How about you just shut up and let me kiss you?”
Aislinn laughed. “I think that might be allowed.”
Liam wrapped his arms around her, kissing her passionately. She could feel her blood throbbing through her body, reminding her that this was how it felt to be truly alive. It was an amazing feeling, almost sacred in its intensity.
I have another idea, Liam whispered in her ear.
“What's that?”
“How about you let me show you my gratitude by making mad, passionate love to you?”
“We can't,” said Aislinn. “Not with everyone downstairs. They'll know”
“So?”
“I can't,” Aislinn said sheepishly. She ran her index finger lightly along his jawline. “Surely you can wait until tomorrow night. It'll be our wedding night, after all.”
“Yeah, after I get off work.”
“I'm sure Jack will give you the night off,” She shook her head in disbelief. “I'm stunned Teague would do that to you, all for a job tending bar.”
Liam laughed. “It was never about the job. It was about you.”
Aislinn was baffled. “What are you talking about?”
“He's got a crush on you. He's probably had it for years.”
"Teague Daly? Don't be daft!
“I'm telling you, that's what's going on,” Liam insisted. “And I can see why.”
“Oh yes, because I'm so desirable,” Aislinn mocked.
“You are,”
“Give over.”
Liam put his arm around her, and Aislinn rested her head on his shoulder. “I guess we should talk about tomorrow,” he said.
“Registry office opens at ten. I doubt there will be a problem. First off, it's during the week. Secondly, I know the judge. Even if he can't take us right away, I'm sure he'll fit us in somewhere.”
Liam nodded. “I wish there was time for my family to come over,” he murmured sadly.
Aislinn cupped his face tenderly. “We can always have a proper church wedding somewhere down the line if you want.” She paused. “Maybe even in New York.”
Again, Liam looked stunned. “You would do that for me? Get married again in New York?”
“Why not?”
Liam began stroking her hair. “Are you going to ask Nora to come?”
Nora. She hadn't thought about that. “We haven't spoken in three weeks, Liam,” Aislinn said quietly. “It's been hell.” She paused. “But she is my sister,” she decided, snuggling closer to Liam. “Of course, she might not come.”
“I doubt that.”
“Don't. As we've all discovered, my sister Nora is just full of surprises.”
“I guess I better go over to my aunt and uncle's house to let them know.” Liam looked distressed. "What about rings? We don't have any rings.
“Oh, pssstt, that's nothing,” Aislinn said dismissively. “Stop fretting like some old lady. We'll get them eventually.”
“I'm gonna have to buy a car to get back and forth to town.”
“You're not getting a car,” Aislinn scoffed. “You're getting that motorcycle you were saving for.”
“That's a lot of money.”
I have some money saved, too, you know.
It was the money she planned to use to buy a few new ewes, but that could wait. It was more important that her husband (her husband - how she loved the sound of that!) be able to get back and forth to work.
“I can't take money from you!”
Aislinn was amused. “Darlin', as of tomorrow, it won't be my money; it'll be our money.”
“Oh. Right.“ Liam paused, his expression uneasy. ”I have just one request."
Yes?
“Can we dress casually tomorrow? I had to borrow Jack's shoes for Padraig's wake, a
nd my feet were covered in blisters. I also had to borrow my cousin's suit, which was the most uncomfortable thing I've had to wear since my first Holy Communion.”
“I think a nice pair of jeans and a button-down shirt would be fine. As for me. I'll be in my wellies and flannel shirt.”
Liam shrugged. “Fine with me.”
Aislinn slapped his arm playfully. “Get on with yourself. I might be a sheep farmer, but I'm still a woman. I'll wear what I wore at the memorial, that green dress? Maybe fancy it up just a little bit with one of Nora's scarves. What do you think?”
“I think you're going to look like a goddess no matter what you wear, McCafferty.”
Aislinn laughed loudly. “It's the McCafferty, thank you very much.”
“No, it's the wife, and the woman I love with all my heart.”
Aislinn felt her eyes begin to glisten with tears. “I love you so, you plastic Paddy.”
“And I love you.” He rose and held his hand out to her. “We should go back downstairs. I'm sure there are some people who'd like to hoist some drinks in our honor. Shall we?”
“My pleasure, Mr. O'Brien.”
*****
Returning from the pub, where many drinks indeed had been hoisted in honor of her and Liam's nuptials tomorrow morning, Aislinn had a moment of hesitation before she padded upstairs and rapped lightly on Nora's door. What if she invited Nora, and she refused to go? She tossed out the thought. This was her sister.
"Come in.
Nora was sitting up in bed, reading. She looked surprised to see Aislinn as she closed her book and took off her glasses. As usual, she was bundled up to her neck in a flannel nightie as if it were the dead of winter. Aislinn bit back the temptation to call her Nanook of the North. Aislinn pointed to the side of the bed.
“Can I sit?”
“Sure.”
Aislinn sat down.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Nora asked coolly.
“I'm marrying Liam tomorrow morning. I'd like you to come.”
Nora looked shocked. “What?”
“I'm marrying Liam,” Aislinn repeated, “and I'd like you to come.”
“What on earth happened?”
“That sneak Teague Daly ratted Liam out to the INIS and told them he was working here illegally. So we're getting married tomorrow - not just so he can stay here legally, but because I love him.”
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