Nan sighed. How about a credit card?
He shook his head. That I wont, dearie. Check one of the other lads, they might. Try the bus. Or you can hire a car.
All right, she said. Thanks.
This wasnt exactly the way shed pictured the start of her vacation. Shed planned so carefully, right down to the last dollar and the last minute. Not only had her plane been late taking off from Chicago, but shed also nearly missed her connection in New York. Then theyd had to wait three hours until a storm system passed before leaving New York. The meals on the transatlantic flight were barely edible and shed been stuck beside a crying child for the entire trip to Shannon. And now she was hungry and had a headache that made any more stress difficult. She had Riley Quinns phone number. Shed call and find out where he was. But first shed have to get some change for the pay phone.
Money first, she murmured to herself.
Do you have a light?
Nan turned to find a man standing behind her, an unlit cigarette between his lips. Her breath caught and she stepped back, her gaze fixed on his handsome face. This was exactly how shed imagined Irish men except for the cigarette, of course. He had shaggy dark hair and chiseled features and eyes that were so blue they were almost gray. The shadow of a week-old beard darkened his features, making him look a bit dangerous. What? she croaked.
A light? he repeated.
Faded jeans hugged his long legs, and a T-shirt and a leather jacket hid wide shoulders. Dangerous, she thought to herself. And wild. And slightly disreputable. Not the kind of man she was usually attracted to. So why had her breath suddenly left her body? No, she murmured. II dont smoke.
He groaned, shaking his head. Oh, youre one of those.
Those?
He shook his head. Americans. Now youre going to tell me all about the health hazards and how secondhand smoke affects everyone and how
No! she interrupted, insulted by his assumption. This always happened to her. People assumed that as a librarian, she was fussy and prudish and hyperorganized. But this man didnt know she was a librarian and still he was judging her.
She was on vacation. No one knew her here. She could be whoever and whatever she wanted and she didnt want to be that person who shushed students at the library and told them they couldnt have sex in the stacks. She wanted to be worldly and adventurous and maybe even a bit alluring. I just dont carry matches because I dont smoke. And I rarely have need to start a campfire or light some dynamite. And if you want to kill yourself, Im not going to stand in your way.
He stared at her for a long moment, an odd look on his face, her attempt at humor falling flat. Then he chuckled. Sorry. Im a little touchy. I gave up the cigs a year ago but when I find myself getting irritated or tired, I go back to old habits. He broke the cigarette in half and tossed it to the curb.
Isnt that littering? she asked.
I prefer to call it minding my health.
She stepped off the curb to pick up the discarded cigarette. But an instant later, he grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the way of a fast-approaching taxi. The taxi tires screeched and she screamed, slamming hard into his chest as she stumbled.
He held tight, pulling her away from the traffic, his body warm and hard with muscle. She drew a deep breath and the scent of his cologne teased at her nose. Though he was a complete stranger, she felt safe in his arms. In truth, she felt more than safe. She felt alive, every nerve in her body tingling with excitement.
Careful now, he said, his voice soft, his concerned gaze scanning her face. I cant be saving your life all the time. And it wouldnt do to get yourself killed your first day in Ireland.
Nans heart fluttered. They were close enough to kiss. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. His gaze shifted and suddenly, she felt as if he could read her thoughts. Embarrassed, Nan pulled out of his embrace, straightening her jacket and trying to remain calm.
Though thered been men in her life, shed never felt such an immediate and intense reaction to any of them. But then, most of the men she dated didnt look like this onedrop-dead gorgeous. Thank you, she said, forcing a smile.
Twas nothing any other Irishman wouldnt do for a beautiful lady, he teased, his brogue more exaggerated.
Nan glanced nervously down the line of cabs. Had he just called her beautiful? Shed always prided herself in an absolute objective assessment of her strengths and weaknesses, and beautiful was not a term she usually applied to her appearance. He was beautiful. She was ordinary.
Are you looking to hire a cab? he asked.
Do you have a cab? Maybe now that theyd struck up a conversation of sorts, hed agree to take her to Ballykirk. Is that taxi yours? she said, pointing to a cab idling at the curb.
No. The bloke who drives it just went inside to use the loo. Im watching it for him, in exchange for that cig you made me toss. He paused. Are you looking for a ride?
Nan nodded. Someone was supposed to meet me here, but I think he may have left. My plane was late.
Husband?
No, Nan said.
Fiancé?
No!
Boyfriend, then.
No, just a ride.
Well, then, my day has just taken a turn for the better. Id be happy to give you a ride. I was supposed to pick up some old lady and drive her to Ballykirk, but she never showed.
Nan gasped. Thats where I want to go! What a coinci She stopped, then regarded him suspiciously. Are you Riley Quinn?
The grin faded and he raked his hand through his hair. Oh, shite, he muttered. Ive stuck my foot in it now. Youd be Nan Galvin?
I would be her, Nan said. He assumed she was an old woman? What had she ever said or done that had given him that impression? You were supposed to wait at baggage claim with a sign.
He held out his hands and shrugged. I figured Id recognize you when you came out. But youre not old. I expected some lady with white hair and spectacles and sensible shoes.
Why, because Im a librarian? Thats just silly stereotyping and I
No, he interrupted. Well, partly. But there were clues. You sounded old.
Weve never spoken. Weve only emailed. How could you possibly guess my age from a few emails?
I dont know. You write old. And you just seemed so
So what?
So prissy. Not in a bad way, mind you. Your spelling was perfect and your emails were so organized and precise.
They were not! In truth, they probably were. Nan prided herself on proper grammar and spelling. It was a professional responsibility that spilled into her personal life.
You requested that I provide a premium brand of toilet tissue. And that the house be clean of all insects, spiders and bugs, living and dead. Id call that finicky. Besides, you said youd wanted to visit the land of your ancestors before you died, so I put two and two together and came up with well, definitely not you.
Nan held fast to her temper. It wouldnt do to make this man angry now. He was her only mode of transportation. You did say youd meet me at baggage claim. And you werent there. Thats all Im saying.
I got tired of waiting. Ive been standing around here for two feckin hours waiting on you.
I was supposed to arrive three hours ago.
Well, I was running late. Ive got things to do today and Im wasting my time searching for an old lady who doesnt exist. I have to get back to the pub.
Im sorry to keep you from your late-morning drinking, she snapped. Yes, he was sexy, but he also could be a bit of an ass.
My family owns a pub, Riley explained. I work there, along with my brothers.
And you run a guesthouse?
It doesnt take much running, but, yes, I do that, tooplus lots of other things. Like driving demanding tourists home from the airport. He shook his head. You could have told me you were a fine bit of stuff.
Though she should have been insulted, Nans irritation suddenly vanished and she smiled reluctantly.
Stuff? What do you mean by that?
Dont act like you dont know what Im saying, he replied. Youre beautiful, so dont get your knickers in a twist if I call you on it. Riley reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, then handed it to her. Theres your name. Come on. Spilt milk. Im in the car park. He grabbed her suitcase and started across the road. When she didnt follow, he turned around and strode back, grabbing her carry-on. Its this way, he said. Dont expect Ill carry you, too.
Nan followed him across the road, hurrying to catch up with his long strides. Maybe you should have had that cigarette, she shouted. Or maybe a big handful of mood elevators would help your negative attitude.
He laughed out loud. Now, why would you say that? Ive been nothing but pleasant since the moment we met.
And I havent?
He sent her such a charming smile that Nan couldnt do much more than laugh herself. Youve been a darling, he said.
It was impossible to be angry with the man, no matter how irresponsible he might appear to be. Be careful, she called as he hauled her suitcase up a set of steps. Thats brand-new luggage.
Giving her a long-suffering glare, he picked the suitcase up in his arms and continued up the stairwell. Jaysus, what do you have in here?
Im staying for ten days. I needed my things.
And what might those things be? he asked. Construction supplies? I wont be asking you to build your own cottage.
I had to bring shampoo and soap and lotion. And all my guidebooks. And I had to bring some things to eat, like peanut butter and my favorite kumquat preserves. And my special tea. I know you wont have those things here.
They let you through with that? he asked.
Nan stopped short, her hand clutching the railing. What do you mean? Was I supposed to declare it? They said just meat and dairy products. And plants. The jars have never been opened and Ioh, no. Do you think they consider tea a plant?
Oh, I dont know. Here in Ireland, plants usually dont have leaves.
I have to go back.
She reached for her suitcase, but he pulled it away and grabbed her arm. Oh, no, you dont, he warned. Were not going back inside.
But I may have broken the law.
So youre a criminal now. Youre just going to have to live with the shame. Come on, Alice Capone, lets get the hell out of here before you find another way to waste my day.
If I get in trouble, Im going to blame you, Nan said.
Oh, youll be fine. Itll be a grand adventure, your life on the run from the Irish authorities. Its better than kissing the Blarney stone, you know.
This is not how I imagined my vacation going, she murmured.
When they reached the first landing, Riley stopped and turned back to her. Im sorry if Ive been acting like a wanker. He held out his hand and she grasped it. Well begin again. Hello, Miss Galvin. Im Riley Quinn. Welcome to Ireland. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Nan smiled, staring down at their hands, so casually joined. He had beautiful hands, long, tapered fingers. So he was a nice guy at heart. See, that wasnt so difficult. The warmth of his hand seeped into hers and she realized the attraction shed first felt for him was still there, only multiplied. A tingle snaked up her arm. He was handsome and funny and even a bit chivalrous. If he could sing, hed be the perfect man. Thank you, she said.
He held on, a lot longer than she considered polite. His thumb gently stroked the back of her hand, turning a benign greeting into something almost sexual. She didnt really mind. It felt nice. The car is just up here, he finally said, his voice soft, his gaze fixed on her face.
Nan tugged her hand away then stuck it in her jacket pocket for safekeeping. Lead on, she said.
RILEY DOWNSHIFTED the car as they approached the interchange, then looked over his shoulder as he turned onto the roundabout. When another car nearly cut him off, he laid on the horn, cursing beneath his breath. Hed never make it back to the pub for the lunch rush, so why bother trying?
Nan was sitting stiffly in her seat, her eyes wide and her hands folded on her lap as if she were praying. Dont worry, Ive never had a wreck.
Its a She cleared her throat. Its a feckin miracle, she finished, imitating his Irish accent perfectly.
Her use of an Irish curse seemed so ridiculous coming from a proper little thing like her, he couldnt help but laugh. There you go. Youll fit right in with a mouth like that.
She grinned. When in Ireland
Gad, she was pretty, Riley mused. Not at all what he usually pictured when he thought of American women. Hed met a fair number of American students in pubs all over Ireland, but his image had been finely honed early in life, by old episodes of Baywatchlong blond hair, tight bodies and tanned skin. And breasts that seemed a lot larger than those provided by nature.
Nan was fresh and feisty, with a very simple, straightforward beauty. Her short-cropped black hair curled softly around her face and long, dark lashes ringed vivid green eyes. She was stubborn and opinionated, the kind of woman who would make charming her a tough go, even for the most experienced Casanova. But then, Riley enjoyed a challenge.
Though he had been anxious to get back to the pub, now that they were on their way, Riley decided to get off the expressway and enjoy the rest of the trip. The local roads back to Ballykirk provided a picturesque drive and he found himself wanting to spend a bit more time with Nan before delivering her to the cottage.
So, you mentioned that your family had a pub. Do you serve lunches there? Im starving. The food on the plane was awful.
Best lunch in all of Ballykirk, he said.
Are you the cook?
No. I tend to the bar every now and then.
Youre a bartender.
No. Actually, I make my living as a musician. I write songs and sing. At the Hound and at other pubs around Ireland.
You sing, she said, as if surprised by the news. Really? Areare you famous?
Depends on what you consider famous. Im no Elvis. But people know who I am. They come to see me. They buy my CDs. But Im not planning a stadium tour anytime soon.