Dead Keen by Anise Eden

Author:Anise Eden [Eden, Anise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

CON

There it was, as promised: a red building with a bright yellow door and a golden claddagh symbol hanging above the entrance. The sign read “T. Dillon & Son,” and a plaque on the wall said this was the place where the original claddagh rings were made in 1750.

Inspiration struck Con as Neve stepped up to the window and peered at some rings in a glass case. She had said it was too soon to get engaged after dating for only a few weeks, but there was nothing stopping him from putting another kind of ring on her finger.

“I’ve seen these,” she said. “They’re popular in the US. These are claddagh rings?”

“Yes.” He pointed out a lovely gold one. “See there? The hands represent friendship, the crown, loyalty, and the heart, love.”

“What beautiful symbolism,” she murmured, eyes alight.

“The claddagh ring has a lot of significance here. They’re used for wedding rings sometimes,” Con said, doing his best to imbue the ring he was about to buy with the weight of commitment. “You’d only be given one by a very close friend or someone who truly loves you. Let’s go inside, shall we? Meet Bronagh and take a closer look.”

He held the door open and then followed Neve into the store. The woman behind the counter had ivory skin and black hair with a straight fringe that almost covered her eyes. Her face brightened when she saw us. “Hi, I’m Bronagh. Con and Neve, I assume?”

“That’s us,” Neve said warmly, extending a hand. “Thank you so much for your help. I’ve always wanted to visit Saint Cillian’s Island, but I fly out tomorrow. Poor planning, I know, but I really appreciate any help you can give us.”

Lying normally took quite a toll on Neve, but if it was bothering her now, she didn’t show it. Instead, she came across as a perfectly genuine, if slightly scatterbrained, American tourist. The pink sweatshirt she was wearing with NYC on the front in large black letters enhanced the look.

“It’s not me who will be helping you,” Bronagh said, “but you’re very welcome. I’ve texted a few friends with fishing boats. We’ll see who comes back to me. I can’t say how long it will take, so feel free to look around. There’s a claddagh museum in the back if you’re interested.”

“Thank you.” Con gently steered Neve into the back room to give them a moment of privacy. “Very smooth job of lying back there. I’m impressed.”

She tensed up immediately. “I’m glad you think so, but I only did that for Ciara’s sake. You know I hate lying—and being lied to.”

Well, that put him in his place. He’d been on the receiving end of Neve’s wrath for lying to her before, even though he’d done it for an exceptionally good reason. “Take a compliment when you’re given it,” he teased. “Let’s have a look around.”

Con enjoyed watching Neve as she walked slowly around the room, examining the framed photographs, maps, and historical documents hanging on the walls.

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