Page 32 of Just Say Yes
The mischievous blue eyes sparkled. ‘Good, eh?’
‘So good,’ I said, feeling the delight spread across my face.
‘That’ll be the butter.’
‘Hmm?’ I asked as I reloaded my fork.
‘The butter. None of that olive or sunflower oil around here. Good old Irish butter it’s fried in. You can’t beat it.’
I swallowed my mouthful. ‘I think I can hear my arteries revolting as we speak.’
‘Nah, they’ll be loving it, and, if not, you’ll die well fed at least.’
I flicked a glance at him. ‘One way to look at it, I suppose.’
‘The only way to look at it. You have to enjoy life.’
‘Yes, but you can’t enjoy one of these every day otherwise it will be a short one.’
‘Fair enough. But you can’t beat it on a lazy Sunday morning.’
‘I will agree with that.’ Having tasted Brighid’s cooking, it was hard not to. ‘However, this is neither Sunday nor going to be lazy.’
‘So you say. Still, fill yourself up now it’s there because you can’t tell me you’re not enjoying it when your face looks like that.’ He flashed a grin and stole a piece of toast.
‘It really is heavenly.’
‘I’ll leave you to enjoy your breakfast.’ He began to rise from his chair but something made me stop him.
‘Don’t you want a cup of tea? She brought two cups after all, and I certainly won’t be able to drink all that.’ I nodded my head at the family-sized teapot Brighid had placed between us. ‘Unless you have somewhere to be, of course. Sorry. I’m sure that you do.’
Lorcan sat back down. ‘No, I don’t have any plans at all.’ He flashed me a teasing look. ‘And that would be very nice, thank you.’
‘I’m not sure I’m going to have any room for cake later.’
‘We can work it off you, don’t worry.’
My head snapped up and his gaze rose slowly to meet mine. ‘I was going to show you the area a bit before heading to the bakery. I hope you brought shoes sturdier than those ones you were wearing yesterday.’
I nodded.
‘What did you think I meant?’
‘Nothing!’ I said, far too quickly, and made a point of carefully loading another forkful, then looking out at the chickens as I lifted it to my mouth. Everywhere, essentially, other than at Lorcan.
‘Lorcan, love. Could you come give Gerry a hand with something? He’s insisting on doing it himself and I know he’s going to put his back out again.’
‘Sure.’ He drained his cup, placed it carefully back in the saucer and rose from the table. ‘Enjoy the rest of your breakfast. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done. But no rush. You’re in Ireland now, don’t forget.’
‘Oh, time works differently here, does it?’
‘It can do, yeah. If you let it.’ He gave me a cheeky wink and headed off in the direction of the kitchen, crossing the room quickly with long, relaxed strides until he disappeared through the door to the back. Bod looked up from where he’d been curled up on my feet since my food had arrived, considered his options and trotted hurriedly after his master. I ate the rest of my breakfast and sat contentedly with several cups of tea, watching the chickens bustle about, trying to pick out the characters their owner had told me about.
‘And where have you been all my life?’ A tall, broad man dressed for the weather in a thick jumper and jeans smiled cheekily at me, removing the woollen hat he’d been wearing as he did so.
‘Avoiding you, like any sensible woman should, Liam.’ Lorcan replied for me as he re-entered the room, flashing a grin at the newcomer.
‘Aye, I should have known with a woman this gorgeous around, you wouldn’t be far behind, you eejit,’ the man said, laughing as he shook hands warmly with Lorcan. ‘I’d have warned you off him,’ the man said, turning back to me, ‘but it looks like I’m too late.’
