Page 94 of Tee’d Up For Trouble

What can I say? You could take the man out of the farmhouse, but you couldn’t take the animals out ofhishouse, no matter where he lived.

The past year and a half had flown by, and with it, so much had changed. I’d gone to Charleston to meet Jax’s people—his friends, his family, the world he’d come from.

His father was an arse who treated everyone like they were dirt under his shoe. And I wasn’t about to let him treat Jax or me that way—and had, to Jax’s delight—said as much to him.

His brothers, on the other hand, were decent enough. A bit arrogant, sure, but not bad once you got to know them.

Jax’s friend Amara was someone I’d grown to love like a sister. Her baby was the sweetest thing, with chubby cheeks and a gummy smile that could melt anyone’s heart. Amara had a way of putting me at ease, even when I was stressing about things that didn’t deserve the energy.

Through all of it—balancing trips to Charleston, London, and California, helping at the pub, and figuring out how to make room for Jax’s life in mine—I’d managed to keep my feet under me. But now, with the Ballybeg Charity Golf Classic coming up, I wasn’t sure I felt like I was drowning.

Jax was busy with his own training and championships, which meant I was in charge of pulling off this massive event. Me. Deirdre Gallagher, pub owner and occasional potato peeler, running a feckin’ charity golf event that involved PGA pros, sports, and other celebrities, sponsors, and enough logistics to make my head spin.

When I looked out over the golf course that morning, my stomach felt like it was full of butterflies—angry, determined butterflies with absolutely no regard for my nerves.

This was the first charity golf game in Ballybeg.

The first major event we were hosting since Jax’s idea turned into a reality.

The grass gleamed in the early spring sunshine, perfectly trimmed thanks to Darragh’s meticulous work. The banners we hung between the trees flapped gently in the breeze, reading “Play for Ballybeg” and “Golf for a Cause” in bold, colorful letters. We were raising money to improve healthcare access in the villages of County Clare, including mobile clinics, mental health support, and healthcare resources for families who couldn’t afford what they needed.

“Hey, Darragh, what the hell is that golf cart doing there?” Ronan cried out.

While I was worried about a hundred things like: what if the players didn’t show up, what if no one bid in the charity auction, what if…, Ronan was focused on someone accidentally driving their golf cart into the pond and was already eyeing the carts as if they were going to go sentient on him. This hadn’t been an issue until Seamus decided he was going to take a cart for a spin when they first arrived and ended up in the pond.

“You’re lookin’ sharp, Dee,” Aislinn commented as she puttered around, cool as a pint on a rainy day, even though she was catering lunch for fifty bodies, most of them famous as feck.

For the occasion, I put on a blazer over my jeans and T-shirt. I thought that looked formal enough for Ballybeg.

Jax said I could wear what I want. “Wear a bikini if it makes you happy.”

“In this weather? I’ll catch a cold.”

I tugged at the hem of my jacket, pacing near the edge of the old barn, which was now the clubhouse with a bar.

“Dee.”

I turned at the sound of Jax’s voice, and his easy smile still made my heart stutter. He looked ridiculous in his golf attire—crisp navy polo, khaki pants, and a cap that made him look even more annoyingly handsome.

“Maybe a quick tumble would make me feel better,” I muttered.

He laughed. “I’m game if you are.”

I glowered at him. “We don’t have the time.”

“Darlin’ Dee, stop pacing.” He put his hands on my shoulders. “You’re going to wear a hole in the grass.”

“I’m not pacing,” I said petulantly.

He raised an eyebrow. “You are.”

“Fine,” I snapped, glaring at him. “So, I’m a bit scared, okay?”

“Scared of what?”

“Everything! What if?—”

“Nothing’s going to go wrong,” he cut me off. “You’ve done an amazing job, Wild Cat. Everyone’s here because of you.”

---