Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“No, I wasn’t going to say that,” he said, rolling right over me. “I was going to tell you you’re young, but when love happens, you’ll know it. Doesn’t matter how long you know someone or if you’re from different countries. Truly… follow your heart.”
I was stunned silent. I’d never spoken about such things with my dad, not because he wasn’t the type. He was the one person I would discuss these things with. I just… I thought he’d think this was silly. “Thank you, Dad. That means a lot.”
“Anytime, son. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
We said our goodbyes, and I hung up just as Rory walked into the kitchen.
I stiffened. The look on his face told me he had overheard at least part of the conversation.
“Sorry,” he said, holding up his hands. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop. But I caught the tail end of that.”
I rubbed my palms on my jeans. “Are you mad?”
Rory pulled out a chair and sat across from me, leaning forward with his forearms braced on the table. “Sounds like ye care about Fiona a great deal.”
I met his gaze. “I do.”
Rory tapped his fingers against the wood, considering me carefully before he finally spoke. “Not to be doubtin’ yer sincerity, lad, but ye’ve known her what? A week?”
I stiffened because I’d expected pushback, but something about the way he said it got under my skin. “Yeah, a week. But that’s plenty of time to see who she is. To know what she’s up against.”
Rory raised an eyebrow. “And to know how ye feel about her?”
I exhaled through my nose, frustration curling in my gut. “We’ve done plenty of talking, Rory. More than I’ve ever done with a girl before. She’s told me things she hasn’t told anyone. She’s got her heart pulled in two directions—loyalty to her family and this ache to be free of it at the same time.” I shook my head. “I don’t need years to see that. And besides… sometimes you just know when something’s right, and this is right.”
Rory studied me, then his lips curved slightly, like I’d passed a test. “Fair enough,” he allowed.
“I don’t want to make things worse for her. But what the hell am I supposed to do? Brian’s still in the picture, her dad’s practically ordering her to be with him, and she thinks she doesn’t have a choice.”
He studied me for a long moment. “That girl’s had a hard time of it lately. She’s strong, but she’s been carryin’ a weight that’s too heavy for someone her age.”
I clenched my jaw. “And yet her father keeps piling more on her.”
Rory sighed. “Seamus has always been a hard man. Stubborn. He believes in duty, in loyalty. He thinks what he’s doin’ is best for her, but it doesn’t mean he’s right.”
“Then why the hell does everyone just let him get away with it?”
Rory gave me a pointed look. “Because she’s not eighteen yet. And Seamus Conlan is a hard man to fight.”
I sat back, jaw tightening. “She told me this morning he already tried to push another date with Brian on her. This time for the summer festival. He basically ordered her to call him and invite him.”
Rory’s lips pressed into a hard line. “Aye, that sounds like Seamus.”
“She doesn’t want to,” I said, shaking my head. “But she doesn’t know how to say no.”
“She can say no,” Rory said simply.
I scoffed. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one who would get kicked out for disobeying.”
Rory’s expression darkened. “Is that what she told ye?”
“She’s afraid of it,” I said. “And I don’t blame her. Where the hell is she supposed to go? How does she support herself? It’s not like she’s got a dozen options.”
Rory sat forward, resting his elbows on the table. “That’s why ye have to be careful, lad. Don’t go pushin’ her into a choice she’s not ready to make. Let her come to it on her own. If ye care for her, truly, ye won’t force her hand.”
“I don’t want to force her into anything,” I said. “I want her to realize she’s got options.”
“Then show her that,” Rory said. “She’s been raised to believe her duty is to this farm, to her family, to her da. And Brian’s part of that duty.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You sound like you’re defending him.”
“I’m not,” Rory said firmly. “I don’t agree with him, not on this. But I do understand where he’s coming from. He thinks he’s doing what’s best for the family—for Glenhaven. He just doesn’t see that he’s pushin’ his daughter away in the process. But here’s the thing… ye can’t just tell her to walk away from all of it—ye have to help her see that she’s not locked in a cage unless she lets herself be.”
I rubbed a hand over my face. “And Brian?”