I check the time and realize that I need to head back to the guest house so I can get ready to go to the pub with Sinead. I haven’t been yet, and it’ll be fun to run into locals that know my family, sing, and listen to the old-timers tell tall tales.

For one evening, I’ll forget that I’m homesick. Not for a place but for a man.

“I always had such a crush on your brother Kane,” Shannon O’Dwyer says with a laugh as she sets my fish and chips in front of me. “And still do, if I’m being honest. But his wife is a sweetheart, and I did just fine with my Danny. How’s your family, Maggie?”

“They’re all doing well,” I reply. “More babies are on the way, and my parents couldn’t be happier.”

“Well, isn’t that fine, then?” Shannon says with a wink. “Would you like another pint?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Be right up,” she says and hurries off with her tray lofted in the air.

“Why don’t you get up there and sing, Maggie?” Another cousin, Shaemus, says from across the hightop table. “We’d all love to listen.”

“Maybe after another pint,” I say with a wink. “And you’ll have to do it with me.”

“Deal.”

“Excuse me, Mary Margaret.”

I look up into Finn O’Leary’s cornflower-blue eyes and smile.

“Hi, Finn.”

He rests his hand on my shoulder and leans in for a chat so we can hear each other well over the music that just started. “I’d like the chance to take you out while you’re here. If you’re agreeable to it.”

“Oh, I—”

“You’re going to want to take your hand off her.”

The voice I’ve wanted to hear for a week comes through loud and clear. But as Finn starts to move away, I take his hand and plant it back on my shoulder.

Cam’s eyes narrow.

I glare right back at him.

“You don’t get to just walk in here and dictate who can and can’t touch me, Cameron Cox.”

Stop this. You’re happy to see him! Jump into his arms and tell him you’re sorry for saying horrible things.

“It’s okay, Maggie, I’ll just go sit—”

“You’ll stay,” I say to poor Finn and then turn back to Cam. “You don’t get to be bossy. You haven’t even called me since I got here. How did you know I was here, anyway?”

“I stopped by the inn first,” he says, calm as can be. “They told me where to find you.”

Finn tries to move away again, but I grab his wrist and narrow my eyes at him.

“If you know what’s good for you, Finn O’Leary, you’ll keep your hand right there.”