Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“I was telling Bridget about how much I miss you last week… You remember Bridget O’Malley, right?”
“Of course I remember Bridget. The two of you used to be joined at the hip.” When his sister moved back to Claddagh, she had rejoined her old social circle and picked up right where she had left off when they were forced to move. She was flourishing there, which was a relief after seeing her struggle for the five years she had lived in Hope.
“Right. So anyway, she’s Bridget Kelly now, and I was telling her that I hate how far away you live and how you’re alone there without any family and that I want you to come home but you can’t because we don’t have anyone for you to marry.” She paused and took a loud breath before resuming her rapid-fire story. “Well, she just called me, and it turns out Patrick, that’s her husband, was at the bar the other night and he overheard the bartender talking about the owner’s son.” She paused, probably for effect that time because when she next spoke, she was squealing. “He’s gay and his parents have been trying to find him a match!”
“Wow.” He didn’t know what to think or say. An openly gay man in Claddagh had seemed like an impossibility. So had the chance of him ever meeting someone he’d be able to marry. He didn’t know this guy so it was possible that it wouldn’t work out, but if he was from their town and DJ’s sister was vouching for him, there was a good chance it would.
“That’s unbelievable.”
“I know! I’m so excited. You’ll be able to come home.”
Hope was his home. DJ considered whether he’d be willing to leave the life he had built there for the prospect of a marriage. Even if there was one openly gay man in Claddagh, the two of them would be isolated there. They’d be surrounded by family, sure, but they wouldn’t really be able to be open. He wouldn’t have friends who were like him there. He wouldn’t be able to fully be himself, and instead, he’d have to live his life in a way that made the community comfortable. Then again, he’d have his sister and her kids, he’d have the familiarity of the community he had known as a child. And he'd have a husband.
“You met him, Kai? You think I’d…” He gulped, too overwhelmed by the conversation and too bruised from the punches to catch a good breath. “You think he’s right for me? He’d like me?”
And would that be enough for him to leave the place he had called home since he was nine? Would it be enough to leave the friends he had grown up with and the people who had supported him? Would it be enough to move to a town where he’d have to rein in parts of himself?
“Of course he’d like you. Who wouldn’t like you? You’re the best.” She cleared her throat. “But, no, I haven’t met him yet.”
“Why not?”
“Patrick only found out a few days ago. He told Bridget yesterday and she just told me. Patrick didn’t say anything to the bartender about you, because he wanted to check with Bridget first. I’ll go to that bar tomorrow and talk to him. I’ll get the owner’s information and set up a meeting. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything for you. Give me a few days and I’ll call back with all the details about your future husband.”
“I…I don’t know, Kaira.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “This is all happening really fast.”
“What do you mean it’s happening fast? You’re twenty-seven. You should have been married by now and you would have been if you weren’t gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” she clarified. “Anyway, this isn’t fast.”
In some parts of the country, he was on the young side when it came to getting married, but in Claddagh, he was ancient.
“I’m not sure I want to move away from Hope. I’ve built a life here,” he explained. It was a stressful life, but once he paid off his grandfather’s debts, he’d be able to afford a nicer place to live and he’d be able to work a little less and spend time with the people he cared about. He loved Hope and the people in it, and he wasn’t ready to leave them. “My friends are here.”
“Our people are in Claddagh, Dylan, and blood is thicker than water. I’m going to meet the bar owner and his son, and I’ll arrange your marriage. I’m your big sister. Leave it all to me. You’re going to be so happy. You’ll see.”
Chapter 3
“Hey, hey, hey, if it isn’t my favorite duo.” Seamus put a couple of coasters on the bar in front of Lucas and Todd. “What can I get you two this evening?”