Luck of the Irish (4 page)

But here they were, almost forty years later, still in love and happy as ever. He wished she were here, but she was off visiting her sister in London and wouldn’t be back for a week. He missed her comforting presence in his life and in his bed. Sleeping alone wasn’t something that happened a lot in their marriage.

He looked over at Cian and knew he wanted that for him—someone to offer love and comfort and support. And if Davin had to let Cian go so he could find it, he would, by God.

“So, Quinn, where are you heading off to after this? I believe that you’ve convinced Cian to part with his darlings, so what’s next for you?”

Quinn didn’t look pleased with the prospect of moving on. “Well, I’m heading for someplace called Sallybrook? It’s near Cork, I guess.” Quinn gave a small laugh. “I’m not looking forward to this part of the trip. I’m a terrible map reader, and I’m so worried about getting lost from here. The road from Dublin was pretty straightforward, but I don’t know. This is going to be harder, I think.”

“You’re gonna have to stay overnight somewhere. It’s a long drive.” Davin was speculating, and if his grandson had been paying attention, he knew Cian would have recognized the gleam in his grandfather’s eyes. Fortunately, Cian’s eyes hadn’t left Quinn.

“Yes, sir. I have a room booked in Limerick for tomorrow night. It might be the longer way to go, but I have a few days to get there, and I wanted to explore some more.”

Quinn didn’t seem as excited about traveling as Davin might expect from a first-time visitor to Ireland. He apparently didn’t realize he let out a big, sad sigh. “What’s the matter, lad? You seem a bit down in the doldrums.” Quinn ducked his head in embarrassment. “I’m okay, Mr. O’Reilly. I’m just a bit lonely. Your beautiful farm makes me miss my family.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie, but it wasn’t entirely the truth either, and Davin knew it. He eyed the younger man speculatively, a plan forming in his head. “What was the name of the farm you’re going to next? And please, call me Davin. Mr. O’Reilly makes me feel old.”

“Uh, I think the name was Briarwood Farm. They have a breeding pair there as well, and my father would like to have both. After that, I’m just going to do some traveling around. I’ve always wanted to come to Ireland, so once I’m done with these two visits for my father, I’m going to take advantage of being here.”

“Briarwood, you say? Well, isn’t that just lovely. My old friend Kieran Michaels is the owner over there. We were mates for years in school, and we started out together in the horse business. He’s been after me, in fact, to come up and get some papers and some keepsake items he’s been storing for me, but I just haven’t had the time.”

“Well, that’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it?”

 

“Yeah, he was a wild one, old Kieran, but he was the best horseman I’d ever seen.” Davin chuckled at that. “Next to me, of course.”

 

Cian smiled as Davin spoke, his grin hinting that from what he had heard, his grandfather’s friend wasn’t the only wild one.

“So, I have a proposition for you.” Davin looked thoughtful for a minute. “I know you want to do some sightseeing and things, but how would you feel about doing something for me? And in return, I’ll provide you with a fantastic tour guide who’ll be guaranteed to not let you get lost.”

Quinn looked at him, obviously doing some speculating of his own. “What do you want me to do? And who’s the tour guide?”

“Well, I’d like for you to pick those things up for me and bring them back. It would save me the trip. I have too much going on with the wife being gone for the next two weeks, and I need to look after Ceara.” He stopped, gauging Quinn’s interest before going on. “And the tour guide would be Cian.”

C
IAN
broke in even as Quinn started to smile.

 

“What? Grandfather, no! There’s too much to do around here, and you can’t do it alone.”

Davin’s jaw tightened, and Cian knew he’d made a mistake. “I can’t, can’t I? I’ll have you know, Cian Benjamin O’Reilly, that there isn’t a job on this farm that I’m not capable of doing!”

Cian ducked his head, feeling bad about hurting his grandfather’s feelings. “Sorry, Granddad, I just… you’ve worked so hard to get us to this place. You deserve a break.”

He looked up at Davin’s chuckle.

“Aye, lad, I have, but it’s work I love doing. I let you do all you do because it excites you, and you have a passion for it. But you need a break. You worked so hard through the winter and foaling season, and I don’t want you getting burnt out.”

Cian still looked reluctant, and Quinn broke in. “It’s okay, Mr.—Davin. I can get the stuff and bring it back myself. Cian doesn’t want to be with me—I mean, go with me.”

Cian looked at Quinn then and saw the hurt in his eyes. Damn it, that wasn’t what he’d meant at all. He’d love to spend time with Quinn, but he could see himself getting really attached to him fast, and to what end? Quinn would be going home when this was all over, and Cian would be left behind.

He looked at Quinn again and caught his eye this time. Cian couldn’t help himself and smiled, shaking his head.

“No, Quinn, Granddad is absolutely right. I could use the break. And if he promises not to get himself into trouble when I’m gone, I’d love to go with you and make sure you don’t get lost.

Quinn’s answering smile was a reward in itself. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to bother you.”

“I’m sure. Besides, if you want to see the real Ireland, you need an Irishman to show you, don’t you?” He smiled and winked at the other man, gratified when he smiled back.

D
AVIN
looked at the two of them and smiled. Quinn noticed Ceara giving her grandfather a discreet thumbs-up.

“Well, now that’s settled, I guess we should get this cleaned up, and then Cian can go and get packed. Quinn, would you like to make use of our spare room for the night?”

“Thank you, sir, but I have to go back and get my things from the place I’m staying at. Don’t worry, though, I’ll be back to pick Cian up early, if that’s okay with him. I’d like a chance to look around in Limerick tomorrow afternoon.”

They all stood and started clearing the table. Quinn joined in, the manners instilled in him by his parents and grandmother kicking in once again. “That’d be fine. I’m an early riser anyhow. You know how it is when you’re on a farm,” Cian said.

“Oh God, do I ever. I made my gramma despair a few times of me ever figuring out the getting up in time to do chores thing when I was a teenager. I like my sleep… a lot.”

Davin laughed at that. “You sound like our Ceara here. She never wants to get out of bed.”

Ceara turned and stuck her tongue out at her grandfather before complaining, “Not fair, Granddad. I’m a growing girl. I need my sleep.” She crossed her arms over her chest and gave them all a petulant pout for laughing at her. Davin gave her a hug, and after a minute of struggling, she finally gave in and accepted it.

Once the table was cleared, Ceara excused herself to go do something in her room while Davin went to check on the horses. Quinn and Cian found themselves doing the dishes in companionable silence for a few minutes.

“You know, you really don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I’ll find my way eventually, and I wouldn’t mind bringing that stuff back for your grandfather.” Quinn didn’t look at Cian as he spoke. He just kept washing the dishes, hoping Cian didn’t notice his blush.

Cian did notice, and he smiled. “Nah, its’ okay, I don’t mind. It’ll be good to get away for a day or two. And I owe you anyhow, for acting like such an ass at the pub.” He chuckled at Quinn’s little sigh of relief. “I really am sorry about that, by the way. I thought you broke that glass when you found out I was gay.”

Quinn was blushing even harder now, and he took a deep breath before confessing, “I guess I did, really. I noticed you when you came in with your friends, and I was kind of staring. Sorry.” Cian opened his mouth to say something, but Quinn cut him off. “When I heard your friend talking about you being gay, well, I was kind of shocked to find such a good-looking gay guy in what I saw as such an unlikely place. I was reaching for something without paying attention and knocked the glass off the table.”

When he realized what he’d said, Quinn wanted to fall over in embarrassment. “Damn it!” Times like this made him want to punch himself in the face to shut himself up.

Cian started to laugh. Quinn was a little surprised at first, but he found himself joining in. Soon they were laughing so hard, they were both holding on to the counter to keep themselves upright.

“Quinn, mate, I bet you suck at keeping secrets too, don’tcha?” He stopped to take another deep breath and then continued, “Don’t worry about it. I noticed you too, good-looking man that you are. Looking is allowed, you know.”

Quinn blushed again and looked down at the toe of his shoe he scuffed across the floor. “I know.” He looked back up at Cian after a minute. “Well, guess I’d better get going. Need to pack up my stuff before I hit the hay.”

Cian nodded at him, and they both headed for the door. They passed Davin, who was sitting on the porch, smoking his pipe.

 

“Good night, Davin. Thanks for the hospitality. And, sir? Your horses really are magnificent. It’ll make my father proud to own them.”

 

“Thanks, lad. I think your father and I’d get on.” He drew on his pipe again. “See you in the morning, son.”

 

“I think you would too, Davin. Good night.” Quinn headed for his car, and Cian trailed after him.

 

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” Quinn was nervous, and it showed.

“Don’t worry. It’ll all be a grand adventure, won’t it? And I won’t let us get lost.” Cian was quiet for a second, but then his lips curled up in a wicked grin. “Unless you want us to.”

Quinn stood there, not knowing what to say, shocked and hopeful all at once. Before he could move or say anything, Cian leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Quinn.” He turned on his heel and strode off to the barn, whistling as he went, leaving Quinn standing there, pressing a palm to the spot where he could still feel the kiss.

He got into the car finally and made it back to his hotel. As he was walking in through the lobby, Mr. McCay caught his eye. “Have any luck, Mr. Donovan?” Quinn smiled as he ran the day over in his head. “Yeah, I really think I did!”
Chapter 5

Q
UINN
slept well and had the sweetest dreams about Cian. He woke with a smile on his face and a raging hard-on in his boxers. As much as he was looking forward to this trip, it made him a little nervous. He wasn’t sure what Cian expected from him, but he was stuck between wanting it to be a lot and being too scared to contemplate the possibilities.

He had only ever been with David, but it wasn’t like he lacked opportunities. He’d had offers, gone on dates, but they never went anywhere because Quinn just couldn’t bring himself to trust anyone, his broken heart and crushed self-esteem making him push his dates away when they tried to get closer. He knew it was a little old-fashioned these days, but for him, sex was something special, not to be taken lightly.

God, his mom and Gramma Anna would be tickled to know he’d been listening and learning when they talked about love. But then again, they hadn’t met Cian.

He got out of bed and quickly showered and got ready. His bags were already packed, and it didn’t take him long to haul them out to the car. The bill had been settled the night before and he’d thanked the McCays for their wonderful hospitality, adding a large tip and a promise to spread the word about their beautiful place.

Glancing down at the clock as he pulled into the drive at Blackmoor Farm, he was impressed with himself. It was just going on 6:00 a.m. Guess he could be on time when the motivation was right.

He got out of the car and wandered over to look at the horses in the fields, feeling that little tug of homesickness again. A screen door slammed, and he turned to look and smiled when he saw Cian hauling a duffel bag down the porch stairs.

“Morning, Quinn. You ready to hit the road?”
“Yep, all packed and ready to go!”

“Good. Granddad was on the phone half the night with his friend Kieran, reminiscing and bullshittin’, so he knows we’re coming.”

Quinn laughed. “Bet it sounds a lot like my dad when he’s chatting with his cousin Jack. You never know how much they remember and how much they’ve made up!”

“Yep, that’d be it.” Cian smiled at him, and Quinn could feel the blush rising in his face. Great, he’d spend the whole trip red and stumbling over words. What a way to make a good impression.

T
HE
door opened again, and Davin stepped out onto the porch and smiled at Quinn and Cian. Davin could almost feel the electricity in the air when the boys were near each other.

“Morning, Quinn. You look chipper this morning.”
“Morning, Davin. I’m feeling pretty chipper too!”

“Are you, now? Any particular reason?” He watched as the young man blushed again.

 

“Uhm, nope. Just… gonna be a good day, I think.”

 

Davin chuckled at Quinn’s stammering words and the blush on his cheeks. “I think so too.” He turned to look at his grandson. “You ready, Cian?” “Yes, sir. I’ve got everything I’ll need.”

 

“Good.” Davin looked thoughtful for a minute. “Can I speak to you alone for a second, boy?”

 

“Yes, sir.” Cian turned to Quinn. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

 

“Okay.” Quinn was curious but well-mannered enough to keep it to himself. He fiddled with some stuff in the car as they moved off to talk.

 

“Lad, do you have enough money on yeh for hotels and such?”

Cian smiled at his grandfather. He had such a soft heart under his tough-asnails exterior. “Don’t worry, Granddad. It’s not like I have a lot to spend my money on. You pay me a fair wage, and most of it goes in the bank. I’ve got it covered.” He looked at his grandfather appraisingly. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, old man. You’re lucky I don’t have any reason to object to your sneaky ways yet.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just thought you could use a break.”

 

“Uh-huh.” Cian reached out and grabbed his grandfather in a tight hug. “I love you, old man. I’ll be back in a couple of days. Take care of yourself.” “You too, lad. And for God’s sake, have some fun!”