A Prodigal Return (Book 5--An Irish Family Saga) by Jean Reinhardt

Author:Jean Reinhardt
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: american historical fiction, historical family saga, irish historical romance, irish historical fiction, historical fiction saga
Publisher: Jean Reinhardt

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Paddy Mac was shorthanded and when that happened on a busy night everyone knew to order two drinks at a time, which made him work twice as hard with each serving. Jamie’s fingers had a tight grip on the handles of four glass tankards. Carefully, he manoeuvred through a thirsty crowd that lined the bar three men deep.

“I still cannot believe that Packie Sullivan has a child. He’s four years younger than myself.” Jamie handed over two of the tankards to his father before taking his seat, “One of those drinks is on him and the other is on me, Da.”

Money had been scarce for his parents of late, as Maggie’s health had taken a turn for the worse and they had been paying for treatments to alleviate the constant pain in her legs. In spite of this, Jamie’s father refused to accept any financial help from him and the fish he dropped in to his mother was the only bit of support he was allowed to give.

James nodded at his son then called across the noisy room to thank the new father, raising his tankard in salute.

“It won’t be long before I’m here celebrating another grandchild myself, I daresay,” he gave a sideways glance before taking a mouthful of beer.

“Now you’re sounding like Ma,” Jamie laughed, “You’ll be the first one I tell the good news to, as soon as I hear it myself. I shall make sure Annie keeps it a secret from the family until you’ve heard it first.”

“I’m very honoured you feel that way but your efforts to conceal news of that nature will be in vain, son – sure your Ma and your Aunt Maggie will be aware of Annie’s condition well before she knows it herself.”

“Well, if they take you into their confidence, you must be sure to tell me, so I can pass on the good news to my wife,” Jamie would not have been surprised should it turn out that way.

“Speaking of confiding, I’ve been a bit concerned about something of late, do you think we could take the boat out tomorrow after Mass?” James saw a frown cross his son’s face. “Now don’t go fretting over it. It’s nothing of a serious nature, I just want a quiet word and you know how I love to get out in the bay, sure any excuse will do.”

“Is it fatherly advice you’re wanting to give me, Da?”

“Something of that nature,” James replied.

The following afternoon father and son met up at the southernmost end of Blackrock’s beach, where Jamie kept his boat. Some of the other fishermen in the village were already in their vessels, providing short trips along the shoreline for day trippers and holidaymakers. It was a good way to supplement their income while still adhering to the generally accepted rule of not working on a Sunday. Greetings were shouted from boat to boat until the two McGrother men found themselves a good distance out in the bay.

“When was the last time ye won a game, son?” James had thrown a line into the water, a ragworm dangling on its end.

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