When Irish Eyes Are Lying: The Kilteegan Bridge Story - Book 4 by Jean Grainger

Author:Jean Grainger [Grainger, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gold Harp Media
Published: 2023-01-16T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Nellie rolled over onto her tummy and luxuriated in the Californian sun that was roasting her back. Copper-headed, pale-skinned Malachy had laughed at her this morning when he saw her heading up the stairs to the infinity pool on the roof. He’d mentioned something about ‘mad dogs and Englishmen’, but she didn’t care. She just lathered herself in suntan cream and gave way to the free feeling of sun on her bare skin. Luckily she had her dad’s skin tone, so different from her mother’s Irish whiteness, and had gone brown very quickly.

She had decided to relax for the whole day. There was no trip planned, no excitement, nothing to do. Malachy was out supervising a project, and Emmet had made a start on his summer reading list, prepping himself for his first term now that he’d been accepted. He was below in the air-conditioned living room; he’d declined her offer to join her upstairs in the sun. ‘Are you mad? I’d be boiled alive.’ He’d grinned at her. ‘I’ll come out after dark, like a vampire.’

Slipping into the pool, she swum a few strokes, marvelling at the sensation of floating in the sky. The water poured over the lip of the pool, being continuously recycled, so there appeared to be no barrier between her and the heavens. She loved this place. To be free again after she’d carried a baby for nine months felt good, and she loved how the water made her feel cleaner and better, washing away her shame. She no longer felt connected to the baby in an upsetting way. Mam and Dad were mad about him, and they’d sent Emmet some pictures to show to her if she wanted to see them. She wasn’t sure at first, but she did in the end and was glad she did. He was a sweet little baby, almost two months old now. He had dark hair and he looked so like her dad – his dad – it was incredible. Nothing like his biological father, Gerard, she was relieved to note. It would make her seeing him all the harder if he did.

Despite what her parents thought, she had no plans to return to Ireland, at least until Emmet went to college in September, and Malachy seemed happy for her to stay as long as she wanted. She suspected he was so delighted to have Emmet there – he adored him – and if Nellie was there too, then Emmet was less likely to feel homesick and go back. She didn’t think Malachy had anything to worry about in reality; life in West Cork was no match for California.

Emmet was every inch the budding scholar now, even though he hadn’t even started at Stanford yet. He kept his hair cut short and wore chinos and button-down shirts, with loafers on his feet. Nothing like what people wore back at home. If he walked down the street in Kilteegan Bridge dressed like that, he’d have the entire place nudging each other and making eyes.

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