Page 35 of Wild Irish

“And ye have to hike up it to get to Maeve’s Tomb?”

“Hike?” Her mouth forms a cute little O, and she blinks at me. “You mean walk? Up the mountain?”

“That’s the general idea.”

“I thought there’d be some sort of lift...like a gondola.”

“Nothing that fancy.” I chuckle and stand. “We’ll stop in Sligo on the way and buy ye a better pair of shoes.”

She pouts, but at least she doesn’t argue.

I grab a backpack and gather what we’ll need for the day, then pack it into my car. I’ve turned off my phone and I want to get out of here before I get any surprise visitors.

“You’re sure I should leave?” Delaney asks when she gets in the passenger side. “What if the mechanic calls back about the car?”

I still haven’t told her the truth. And I don’t want to. Not today. Today, I just want to enjoy the day. Sure, it might be an asshole move, but why burden her with something she can’t change? The problem will still be there tomorrow.

“I’ve got my phone if he calls. It’ll probably be a couple of days before he can look at it. I’ve got some time off and ye’ve got some things to cross off that list of yers.”

She’s quiet as I start driving, and I can practically hear her brain working overtime, formulating the question she wants to ask.

I glance over at her. “What?”

She shrugs. “I’m just wondering why you’re doing all this for me.”

Hell, if I know. At first, it was guilt, a feeling of responsibility for driving her off the road. But I know it’s more than that now. More than just wanting to get out of town. More than about just wanting to spend more time with her.

“Consider it Irish hospitality.” I turn on the music, not wanting to think about what other reason it could be.

* * *

“Ilook ridiculous,” Delaney says when she gets out of the car, and looks down at the brown boots I bought her.

I chuckle.

She looks sexy.The sundress whips in the wind, giving me a glimpse of her legs. Her dark hair has been pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head, exposing her neck, and the sensitive spot under her ear that makes her moan every time I kiss it.

I walk around the car and place an arm over her shoulder, then point up. “When we get to the top, ye’re going to be glad ye’re not wearing those silly little shoes of yers.”

She follows the direction of my hand, and I see her swallow hard. “We really have to walk up to the top?”

“Well, I’m not carrying ye.” I take her hand and start towards the path, stopping to pick up two medium-sized stones. “Here.”

“What’s this for?” She holds the rock in her hand, frowning.

“Ye really don’t know much about this place, do ye?” When she doesn’t answer, I say, “It’s a custom to bring a stone from the bottom of the hill and place it at the foot of Maeve’s tomb. It’s thought to be good luck.”

“I don’t believe in luck.”

“Well, ye seem to be having a bit of bad luck, so it couldn’t hurt.”

She rolls her eyes. “True.”

“Here.” I take the stone from her hand and place it in the backpack filled with water bottles and a few snacks.

We start the journey to the top in silence. She’s lost in her thoughts, and I don’t intrude.

About halfway up, she lets out a small squeal when a flash of white bolts from the bushes closest to her.

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