Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
He lifted an eyebrow, and I chuckled. “Us happy. She likes her life there. Let her live it. See what the doctor says and make a decision.”
“I will.” He crossed his ankle over his knee, studying me. “And what were you sitting in the dark thinking of? Or should I say, who?”
“Feck off.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You are never going to let go of her, are you?”
“I can’t. It’s impossible.”
“You have everything, Finn. Find someone who wants to share that with you.”
“I can’t move on, Niall. I tried. Una is it for me. If all I can do is be her friend, stay in the background and make sure she’s safe, then it’s enough.”
He stood, pulling down his sleeves. “You’re lying to yourself, cousin. It isn’t enough—and one day, you are going to want more, no matter what you tell yourself.” He headed to the door. “And you are going to have to make a choice. Live in the past filled with regrets or find some happiness.”
Then he was gone, leaving me to my thoughts.
The next morning, Niall strode in, his expression calm.
“What did Dr. Watts say?” I asked.
“Dr. Watts said everything was fine with her levels at her last visit. She has another appointment next week, and he promised to keep me in the loop.” He grimaced. “He reminded me she wasn’t a young woman anymore and she is slowing down.”
I met his gaze. “He’s right, but she’s your mother.”
“I know. I called her today too and she seemed brighter, so maybe I did catch her on a bad day. I sent her flowers.” He scrubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll keep in touch and monitor things.”
“Good plan. And if you need to go, the plane is at your disposal.”
“Thanks, Finn.”
“Family,” was all I said.
He held out his hand. “Family.”
I was restless that evening, unable to settle and my head aching. I went for a drive, finding myself parking in front of Una’s building. I could see her light on behind the blinds, and I went upstairs, smiling in thanks at the person who held the door open for me. They had seen me around enough to know I was okay to let in.
Una looked surprised when she opened the door. “Finn?”
“Hi.”
“Are you okay?”
“Sure.” Then I paused. “May I come in?”
She stepped back. “Of course.”
I walked in, inhaling.
“What are you cooking?”
“Oh,” she said with a smile. “Stew.”
“It smells incredible.”
“I was about to eat. Would you like some?”
“Mo chroí, I would love a bowl,” I replied. “And you know I love your cooking.”
She headed to the kitchen. “It’s simple.”
“Simple is perfect.”
I sat at the table, watching her, feeling myself relax. She always had that effect on me. She hummed as she moved around the small space, stirring the pot on the stove, slicing some bread and bringing it to the table. She paused, looking at me. “You look tired.”
“Long day. Niall and I are a bit worried about his mum.”
“Why?”
“We think Aunt Roisin isn’t doing as well as she insists she is.”
She placed a bowl in front of me, laying her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know how much she means to you.”
I tilted my head, resting it on her hand. “Thank you. Niall was concerned and got in touch with her doctor and her friends. They thought he was overreacting, so he’s staying here and will keep a close eye on the situation. If anything changes and he needs to go, I’ll get him there as fast as I can.”
She squeezed my shoulder, drifting her hand up through my hair. It was all I could do not to groan at her touch. Moving away, she filled a bowl for herself and sat down beside me. “Eat, Finn. It’ll help your headache.”
“How did you know I had a headache?”
“You get a little pinched line right here.” She tapped her forehead. “And you can see it in your eyes if you look hard enough.”
“You’re the only one who ever does.”
She was quiet. “Eat. Please.”
I picked up my spoon, wondering if she knew I’d do anything she asked of me.
Always.
The food helped, the company even more so. Una talked about some new song ideas she had and how much she was enjoying the front desk and working in the concierge area.
“Cleo wants to bring you up to management,” I informed her. “She thinks you have all the qualifications you need to be a real asset in running the hotel behind the scenes.”
“Already?”
I chuckled as I finished my second bowl of stew. “You’ve proven yourself, Una. Every challenge. You did at the other hotels as well. Connie hated to see you go. Albert, even more, from the last hotel. Everyone you work with speaks highly of you.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, looking worried. “I like the front desk.”
I laughed. “Philip likes you. You’re his favorite and he’ll hate it when you go, but he knew you would. George, as well. You can call Cleo and go talk to her. It’s the next step.” I picked up my glass, draining the water from it, trying to stop the bitterness in my voice. “Soon, you’ll leave us all.”