Page 34 of Taming Irish

“Stagnant?”

“Wives and babies are a kind death sentence to the life welived.”

Lived.I doubt Shane Hayes has truly given up that lifestyle. Even through his easy-going nature, I can see the unrest that lurks behind his eyes. He’s a man who’ll never be satisfied, and I know that look all toowell.

“Nora mentioned that the other guys are married. That must be frustrating, for someone like you,” Itease.

He glances over, a hint of a smile returning to his lips. “Ye have noidea.”

We pull to a stop in front of a small, rundownshack.

I frown at the decrepit building. We’re in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by hills and valleys, and a single-lane road that’s edged way too close to a cliff to besafe.

“Where arewe?”

“The Shamrock. Best Guinness this side ofDublin.”

“Is it even open?” One of the windows has been boarded up, the other two are so dirty that I can’t see in, But from what I can see, it doesn’t look like there are any lightson.

“The Shamrock is always open.” He winks, then gets out of thecar.

I hesitate before followinghim.

Inside the pub, I have to squint for my eyes to adjust to the dim lights. Two gray-haired men sit at one of the old wooden, mismatched tables playing cards, but the rest of the pub isempty.

“If this is your idea of a date,” I whisper, “You may not be as smooth as Ithought.”

He chuckles and leans closer, whispering back, “I thought ye said itwasn’tadate.”

“It’s not. But if it were, I can’t imagine you’d be getting lucky tonight.” I attempt to tease him, but I’m pretty sure it comes outflat.

He glances down at me with a smirk, something playing in his eyes as he places a large hand on my lower back and leads me toward the bar. “Trust me, love, I have no trouble gettinglucky. Lucky is my middlename.”

“Really? Because I would have thought it wasTrouble.”

He lets out a bark of a laugh. “It’s that aswell.”

“Shane Hayes.” A stout man, with more salt than pepper in his hair, and deep lines etched into his weathered face, rounds the bar, pulling Shane into a hug. “It’s good to see ye,lad.”

“Hey, Tommy.” Shane grins down at the older man, who barely comes up to hisshoulder.

“I heard ye’re living in Dublin.” Tommy flashes a smile that sports two missingteeth.

“Ye know me, I’m never anywhere forlong.”

Tommy chuckles knowingly. “But ye always seem to find yer way backhere.”

Shanegrins.

When Tommy glances at me, his blue eyes sparkle with interest. “And who do we havehere?”

“Makena.” I offer my hand, which the man takes and brings to his lips, then gives me awink.

“So, ye’re the lass who’ll finally tame ourboy.”

Shane coughs, which is more of a choking sound, and I can see it was the response Tommy was looking for because he gives a hoot of laughter, then smacks Shane on theshoulder.

“Easy now,lad.”

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