Antonia glanced around at the empty lobby with its warm fireplace and plush furniture and wondered how many black people she’d actually meet in Ireland. Probably not too many. She forgot to do that kind of research when she planned the trip. Derek had his reservations about going, citing that they should just go to Dublin where there was more to do. And when they got tired of that, they could just go to London. Shedd Aquarium and Western Ireland were her only real wedding decisions. Did I make a mistake?

“Ms. Harper?” called a voice behind her. Antonia was jerked out of her thoughts and promptly stood.

“Yes. Could you find anything?”

“I did,” Breda said pulling out a map. “I just didn’t find anything in Clifden.”

“Oh no,” she breathed. “How far away?”

“It’s only thirty minutes away,” the young woman said, proud of her discovery. “There’s a small village named Tully Cross that has beautiful rental cottages. It appears only one of the six have been booked, so you’re in luck. The price is comparable to your stay here and you’ll have more amenities, like a full kitchen.”

Antonia studied the map labeled Renvyle Peninsula and sighed. “Tully Cross? A village?”

“Yes, and it’s only thirty minutes away. I’m afraid it was the only thing available. Again, this area gets very busy with the Renvyle Oyster Festival.”

“Right, that’s why I picked these dates,” Antonia said, trying her best to keep the irritation from her voice.

“It’s a very exciting festival,” Breda said with a bright smile.

Antonia returned to the map. “Could you talk me through this drive?”

“Of course,” Breda said, snaking her ink pen around the curvy coastline. “You will take N59 to a town called Letterfrack, a town where I used to live! Oh, and just so you know, Letterfrack is where the nearest grocery store is located. Unfortunately, it’s nearly 5 p.m. and they’re known to close early. I think you might want to get your food here.”

Antonia was inching closer to a panic attack. “Okay.”

“So anyway, when you get to Letterfrack, you’ll take a right to get on the Connemara Loop. It will take you directly to Tully Cross. Now if you’ve gone to Tully, then you’ve gone too far.”

Antonia rubbed the space between her eyes. “There’s a village called Tully Cross and there’s a town called Tully?”

“It’s also a small village,” Breda said. “Tully Cross is very small, but I don’t think you’ll miss it. The main street has a church, a pub, and a hotel on one side—”

“—And that hotel is all booked up?”

“Yes, it is. It’s a very lovely place, but so are the cottages. Anyway, the cottages are on the other side of the main street. They’re lined up in a row.”

Antonia paused for a think. “Okay, I think I’ve got it. Go up N59 until I hit Letterfrack and take a right on to the...what kind of loop?”

“The Connemara Loop,” Breda said. “I’ve marked it all on this map.”