“Sorry if my manners are lacking. I just can’t remember being this hungry before, and you’re fine cooking has raised my appetite to new heights,” Sean said.
“Well said, Sean. You’re obviously a man of fine words and an easy tongue. I admire that in a young fellow, but I’ve found it sometimes difficult to believe everything a fast-talking man has to say,” Ashling said.
“What a thing to say to a perfect stranger that you’ve just met, Eamon said incredulously. For all you know, he could be a man of the cloth, spreading the word of God around the countryside.”
“It’s all right, Eamon, Sean said. “I’ve known a few fast talkers in my time, and I don’t have any use for them either. Of course, the one person I know who could tell a pack of lies faster than any other happens to be a woman. One of the richest people on the entire west coast and she got that way by lying and conniving her way to the top. So, you see, Ashling, it’s not only men who are born with a silver tongue.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Mr. Quinn. Like you, I’ve known many men and women with the devil’s own gift for blarney,” Ashling said. I suppose it’s made me over cautious when it comes to strangers. My apologies if I’ve offended your delicate sensibilities.”
Sean put his knife and fork down and looked directly at Ashling for a moment before he replied. Her eyes were as open and innocent as a young child, but there was a hint of a mischievous smile at the corner of her lovely mouth.
“My sensibilities may not be as delicate as you seem to think,” Sean said. “It’ll take more than a passing comment from a young woman to upset me.”
“Ashling darling, would you be kind enough to bring us a loaf of that fine bread you bake along with a dab of butter and jam?” Eamon said.
Ashling smiled at her father and nodded her head slowly. She hurried off to the cupboard without another word. While she was gone, Eamon turned back to Sean.
“Don’t mind Ashling, Sean. She can be a bit temperamental around someone she doesn’t know well, but she’s truly a darling girl once you get to know her,” Eamon said.
“Believe me, I understand completely. She seems like a fine young woman, and I’ll do my best to put her mind at ease while I’m here,” Sean said quietly.
“And how long will that be, Mr. Quinn?” Ashling asked, as she returned to the table. “How long do you intend to be with us, I mean?”
Sean was amazed that she had overheard what he said from across the kitchen. He thought she must have supersonic hearing.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be. This is a part of the countryside I’ve never seen before, and I would like to look around a bit, once I’m fully recovered from the accident. I surely wouldn’t think of imposing on you and your father’s gracious hospitality while I’m here. I’ll gather my things and find a hotel or bed-and-breakfast to stay in. Surely you have one or the other in town,” Sean said.
“Indeed we do,” Eamon replied. “We’ll not be sending you off to one of them, however. I insist that you stay with us while you’re mending and doing whatever sightseeing you might wish before you head for home. Isn’t that right, Ashling?”
“Of course, father dear. We won’t let it be said that a Cahir didn’t show an injured stranger all the kindness he deserves.”
She was smiling at Sean as she talked, but he thought he still felt an undercurrent of mistrust in her words. He wondered if it was a particular incident or life in general that caused her to be mistrustful of a stranger. Her father certainly didn’t seem to share her concerns.
“It’s settled then,” Eamon said. “You’ll stay with us while you’re on the mend, and Ashling will be your tour guide. She’ll show you all there is to see in and around our beloved little town of Rundimahair.”
Sean was sure that Ashling was about to object when a look passed from father to daughter, and she smiled and nodded instead. Whatever her true feelings, she wasn’t going to argue with her father in front of him.
“I’ll do the best I can, Father. Not that there is all that much to see,” she said.
“What may seem familiar and ordinary to someone who’s lived here all of her life may strike an outsider as extraordinary and full of possibilities,” Sean said.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to say Rundimahair was ordinary,” Mr. Quinn—quite the opposite in fact. You could travel far and wide and not find so pleasing a place to live out your days,” Ashling said.
“Well, despite my youth, I have traveled far and wide and seen much of what the world has to offer. I look forward to adding Rundimahair to my list,” Sean said.
“Now don’t be getting your hopes up too high, Sean,” Eamon said. “Sure, it’s a grand place and all, but I doubt anything too interesting or exciting will take place while you’re visiting our little town.”
“Still, I look forward to learning all I can while I’m here, and I’m grateful to have such a lovely and intelligent tour guide to teach me everything she knows,” Sean said.
“Oh yes, a silver-tongued devil indeed,” Ashling muttered.
Chapter Two
There are only three kinds of Irishmen
who don’t understand Irish women—
old men, young men, and men of middle age.
~ Old Irish Saying ~
Ashling agreed to begin her duties as tour guide that afternoon once she’d finished going over the books for the furniture shop with Eamon. Father and daughter adjourned to the library of the home, carrying on a hushed
