Page 58 of Just Say Yes
‘They must have been pleased that it was bought by someone sympathetic to creating a purpose for the original building rather than demolishing it and building on the land.’
He gave me the briefest of grins. ‘There are benefits to being in the middle of nowhere. It’s less likely to be developed.’
‘Then, I, for one, am very glad it’s in the middle of nowhere.’
‘Apart from the fact you’re stuck here with me.’
‘Well, yes, but, as you said earlier, nothing’s perfect.’
‘Touché,’ he said, a low rumble of laughter sending ripples of warmth through my body. I gave myself a mental kick and concentrated on what he was saying.
‘It’s worked out so far. It’s brought trade in but without making the village a tourist trap where locals can’t afford to live any more.’
‘Sounds like the ideal compromise – saving a beautiful building and restoring it sympathetically for events, which brings in trade and employment for the local community but without destroying the essence of the village.’
‘Couldn’t have put it better myself.’
‘Can I ask something?’
‘Sure.’
‘How come it was available for Patrick and Peyton at such late notice? I know myself that a lot of the best places are booked up years ahead, let alone with just weeks to go.’
‘Patrick’s a local boy. Strings sometimes have to be pulled when it’s important.’
‘So is there a bride and groom out there who got bumped?’
He shook his head. ‘No.’ His laugh was deep and warm and once again wrapped itself around me, taking the chill off the air that now had a hint of bite in it from a building northerly wind. ‘Stop worrying.’
‘OK.’
‘Is it playing on your mind?’
‘No.’
‘Liar.’
Was there something in the air here that gave its inhabitants special mind-reading powers? I’d noticed the same talent a couple of times with Brighid.
I remained silent but evidently my face was having a whole conversation with Lorcan of its own volition. He slowed the buggy down and pulled it to a stop, his eyes still focused out on the vista in front of us.
‘Can you keep a secret?’
‘Yes,’ I answered without hesitation.
‘When Peyton started talking about getting married in Ireland and set the date, I had a chat with Calum and they put a reserve on the castle. Just in case they decided they wanted to marry in the village after all.’
‘But I thought the wedding was all set for Dublin initially?’
‘It was. But I think that was more to do with feeling Dublin would be easier for other people, especially Peyton’s side. Travel arrangements and so on. They might be loaded but, even with first-class flights to Ireland, there’s still a certain amount of faff involved in getting here, finding accommodation, that kind of thing. Paddy and I both felt she was compromising as she’d seen the castle on visits to his family and always raved about it. Of course, she denied that she was.’
‘She’s very sweet and I suppose thinking of others’ travel plans is sensible.’ Personally, I didn’t think that was a good enough reason not to have the wedding you wanted but I kept that thought to myself.
‘True,’ he agreed. ‘And sensible is all well and good but not when it comes to a wedding. With that, you have to go with what your heart wants.’
I looked round at him as he once again appeared to read my mind.
‘Within budget,’ I added as a way to distract myself from the discomforting thought that Lorcan O’Malley might be able to read any of my thoughts at all.
