Page 133 of The Matchmaker
“Apology accepted,” I interrupt, not wanting another fight on my hands. Brothers. “Thanks, Jack.”
“And thanks for looking after her and Maeve,” Callum says, turning serious. “I’ll never forget it.” He starts forward, only to stop when Jack grimaces.
“What?” Callum grins. “Afraid I’ll wrinkle your suit?”
“Yes, actually I— okay.” Jack stiffens as his brother draws him in for a hug. “Alright, thank you.”
Callum takes pity on him, slapping him on the back before releasing him.
“We don’t have to hug,” I tell Jack, when his eyes go to me. He looks relieved.
“You’re good here?” he asks in a careful tone, and Callum nods.
“I am,” he says. The two words so simple yet meaning so much.
The brothers stare at each other for a moment and then Jack clears his throat. “I’ll see you in two weeks,” he says with a businesslike nod before turning to me. “You’ll be fine.”
I’m a little confused by that last comment, but I wait until he returns to his car before I nudge Callum.
“What’s in two weeks?”
“Family dinner,” he says pleasantly, and I go rigid.
“What?”
“My parents are visiting the area. They invited you.”
“They…what?”
“They found a nice restaurant in the city. I hope you like seafood.”
“I’m meeting yourparents?”
“You don’t want to?”
“Of course I want to!” I exclaim. “But didn’t you hear my accent story?”
“I’ll warn them in advance.” His eyes slide to mine, his expression softening when he sees how nervous I look. “Seriously, Katie. Relax. They’ll love you.”
“You can’t know that. How do you know that?”
“Because I love you. And I’m the favorite child.”
That doesn’t make me feel any better, but he grabs my hand before I can worry further and leads me around the pub to where the others have joined Adam and Noah by the well.
When we stopped being able to hear splashes of water at the bottom of it, we figured we’d better bring all the contents up. Adam’s getting a professional to come out and look at it next week, but, for now, we’re having fun with an old-fashioned rope and bucket situation to dig up our treasure. So far, as well as the expected coins, we found a fifty-dollar note sealed in a ziplock bag, awedding ringthat we’ve already posted online, hoping to reunite with its owner, and a number of trinkets, charms, and thingamabobs that make me think most people don’t know how wishing wells work. Then again, it’s not like there’s a rule book. Shoot your shot, I guess.
“We’re putting up a sign next year,” Adam says, when he spots me. “Only coins allowed.”
He plucks a stuffed animal from the bucket to prove his point and tosses it to Nush, who adds it to her collection.
“I found another ten euro,” Noah says, rifling through his own pile. He stares at the plastic bag for a long second before handing it over. “What are we going to do with all of it?”
Gemma makes another note on her spreadsheet. “We’re giving it to a children’s charity.”
“I’ma child,” he points out, and she ducks her head to hide her smile.
Callum meets my eye and nods toward the back door, which Adam just disappeared through. My good mood vanishes, replaced by nerves and a distinct feeling ofI don’t wanna, but he just gives me a look, ignoring my pout until I force myself to head inside.
