“Warmer than it’s been in days.” She smoothed her hair in case her little dash had mussed it. “I was just thinking I might walk down to your cottage, then here you are.”

“My cottage?” She’d changed out of her Sunday dress, he noted, but she wore what looked to be a new sweater, and she had on earrings, scent, fresh lipstick. All the little lures women use.

He was suddenly sure that Brenna had been right about the situation. And it terrified him.

“I was hoping to take you up on what you said last night.”

“Last night?”

“About how I could listen to your music anytime. I love hearing you play your tunes.”

“Ah . . . I was just coming over to your own house, to speak with Brenna about a matter.”

“She’s not home.” Deciding he needed a little encouragement, Mary Kate slid her arm through his. “Something needed to be fixed at Maureen’s, so off she went, and Ma and Patty with her.”

“A word with your father, then—”

“He’s not at home either. He took Alice Mae down to the beach to look for shells. But you’re welcome to come.”

Knowing it was bold, she let her hand run up and down his arm as they walked. The feel of muscle—a man’s arm, not a boy’s—had her pulse dancing. “I’ll be happy to fix you some tea, and a bite to eat.”

“That’s kind of you.” He was a dead man. He caught sight of the O’Toole house as they topped the hill. Though thin smoke plumed from the chimney, it had the general air of being empty.

Brenna’s lorry wasn’t parked in the street. The dog was nowhere to be seen. Apparently even Betty had deserted him in his hour of need.

The only choice left was a quick and cowardly retreat.

“What was I thinking?” He stopped short and clapped a hand to his forehead. “I’m supposed to be helping Aidan . . . at the house. Slipped my mind.” As quickly as he could manage, he untangled his arm, gently nudging her hand away, as he might a puppy who was inclined to nip. Down, girl. “Things are always slipping my mind, so I don’t suppose he’ll be surprised that I’m late.”

“Well, but if you’re already late . . .” She leaned toward him, nearly into him, in a gesture that even a distracted coward such as himself recognized as an invitation.

“He’ll be looking for me.” This time he patted her on the head, as he might a child, and saw from the pout beginning to form that she’d taken it as he’d meant it. “I’ll stop in for tea sometime soon. Give my best to your family, now, won’t you?”

He was twenty strides away before he let out a relieved breath. And what, he wondered, was this with the O’Toole girls all of a sudden? Now instead of a quiet walk, perhaps a cup of tea in a friendly kitchen, and a little time alone in the cottage working on his music, he was honor-bound to go into the village and find something to do at Aidan’s.