Nan shrugged. “Mostly his work,” she said. “He was walking his dogs and passed by the cemetery. I was there, looking at the gravestones. I found my father’s. Danny translated the inscription for me. It said, ‘until we meet again.’” She met his gaze. “Isn’t that a nice sentiment. It sounds so hopeful.”
“It’s sad,” he said. “And it doesn’t always happen. Meeting again. Sometimes people part and that’s the end of it. Look at your mother and Tiernan.”
“I’d like to think they have met again. And maybe, their spirits are now able to continue on with what they began all those years ago.”
“Or maybe we’re the ones who are doing that for them. Did you ever think of that? Maybe it’s us who shouldn’t be saying those words.”
“I’m hungry,” she said, deftly changing the subject.
He’d been pushing her at every opportunity, trying to force her to see how difficult it would be to leave. But Nan was stubbornly sticking to her plans, unable to commit to a life in Ireland with him.
Riley pointed to the small bakery just down the street. “They make the best sausage rolls. I’ll buy you lunch.”
They walked inside the bakery and, in addition to the sausage rolls, Riley purchased a small apple tart to share and two Cokes. They walked back outside and sat down at one of the tables in front of the bakery.
“You look very pretty this morning,” he said, handing her the Coke.
“Oh, and flattery won’t get you anywhere,” she said.
“What will get me somewhere?” he inquired.
She took a bite of the sausage roll and considered his question. “Are you passionate about your job?”
“I don’t really have a job,” he said.
“No, I mean your music. You’re a singer. That’s how you make money, right?”
“Not a lot of money, but, yes, I suppose that’s right.”
“Could you ever imagine yourself doing something else. Other than singing?”
“Sure. I expect I won’t be flogging my guts out in the pubs until I’m eighty. I’ll have to quit sooner or later.”
“No, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying.” Nan frowned as she searched for a way to ask her question. He gave her hand a squeeze, wondering what had so consumed her thoughts. “Are you passionate about your singing? Would you be less of a person if you didn’t do it?”
He thought about it for a long moment. In truth, he’d been thinking about that very question ever since Nan arrived. Could he walk away from performing and not miss it at all? Could he be happy working at something else merely to provide a decent living for a wife and family? Or were Riley the singer and Riley the man inseparable?
“I think I’m always going to have to perform,” he said, the truth of his feelings bubbling to the surface. “I like how it makes me feel. It might not always bring financial rewards, but who knows. With the new CD, something might change. What about you?”
“I’m good at what I do, and I like that. People think I do a good job and I’m a valuable employee. But I’m beginning to think that maybe I’ve just been so comfortable at the library I never considered doing anything else.”
Riley was stunned by her confession. It was the first indication she’d given that she might be open to a change in her life. If she wasn’t that invested in her career, then maybe she’d consider leaving it behind.
Riley fought the urge to push the issue. He wasn’t going to spend her last day in Ireland trying to convince her to stay. He was going to enjoy her company and make love to her one last time and then he was going to let her go.
He knew exactly how he felt, but Riley was still unsure about Nan’s feelings. Every instinct told him there was a deep affection between them, but did she consider it the beginning of love or the end of an infatuation? He wanted to ask her, but at the same time, he was afraid of her answer.
“So, what’s the plan for your last day in Ireland?”
“I don’t know,” Nan said. “There are so many things left on my list. But I think I’ve had enough of sightseeing. I think I want to find a pretty spot and just sit.”
“Would you mind if I sat with you?” Riley asked.
“I think that would be nice. Why don’t you take me to the prettiest spot around Ballykirk.”
“I know the exact spot,” Riley said. “But we have to stop at the cottage first and get a few things. A blanket. Something to eat and drink. And sturdy shoes for you.”
“Where are we going?” she asked.
Riley wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “To one of my secret places. No one else knows about it.”
“Really?”
“No,” he said. “My brothers know about it, and probably a lot of other people. But I like to pretend that it is all mine.”
They hiked back up to the cottage and Riley gathered up the makings of a picnic, then threw a blanket over his shoulder. Nan put on a pair of trainers and then waited for him at the front door.
“I’m excited,” she said.
“Don’t get too excited. I may have oversold this place.” He picked up her straw hat from the table and set it on top of her head. “Put on some jeans and you might need a heavier cardie.”
She returned from the bedroom with her jacket and tied the arms around her waist. “Am I ready now?”
He grinned, the dropped a kiss on her lips. “Before we leave, I need to swear you to an oath of secrecy. You are venturing into a place that is known to only the Quinns-me, my brother Kellan and my brother Danny. And if they knew I was showing you this, they’d probably be forced to do something rash.”
She seemed amused by his teasing. Nan raised her hand. “I swear, I will reveal nothing of what I see today.”
“Good. Then we’re ready to go.”
THE HIKE DOWN the rocky cliff to the sea was frightening at times, but Riley moved slowly, pointing out the places that she needed to navigate through the boulders. Nan had wondered at the possibility of reaching the water when they first stood on the top edge, but now, just ten feet from the coastline, she glanced back up to see how far they’d come.
Riley jumped down onto the sand, then held his hand out to her. “We’re here,” he said.
He clasped her waist and set her on her feet. They were inside a small cove on the bay, somewhere beyond Ballykirk harbor. It was a perfectly private spot, invisible from the top of the cliff and from the surrounding area. The only way to be seen was from a boat in the bay.
Nan smiled. The water from the bay lapped against the narrow strip of sand. “It’s a beach,” she said. “Can we swim?”
“The water is a bit chilly this time of year, but yes, my brothers and I used to swim here all the time.” He laid the blanket out on the sand, then kicked off his shoes. “We used to call it Smuggler’s Cove. There’s a cave over there in the cliff side and we thought it was the perfect place for smugglers to hide.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“We have to make sure we leave by three,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because the tide will come into the bay and this beach will be gone.” He patted the blanket beside him. “Come here. I have an overwhelming need to kiss you.”
Nan sat down next to him and he dragged her on top of him, his fingers furrowing through her hair. “Ten days isn’t long enough,” he murmured. “I’m just getting used to having you here and now you have to go away.”
Nan looked down into his eyes. She didn’t want to think about tomorrow. Pressing her finger over his lips, she shook her head. “We’re here now. And I’m not going anywhere, at least not until the tide comes in.”
She straddled his hips, then slipped out of her sweater. Her shirt followed, leaving her only in her bra. Riley’s gaze raked her body as he cupped her breast in his palm. Nan closed her eyes and tipped her face up to the sun. “This is exactly how I wanted to spend my last day here.”
She looked so beautiful, Riley mused. A memory flickered in his mind and searched for it. “Have you ever had a
