Page 41 of Beneath the Quiet

Rosie’s laughter startles me out of my thoughts. I look up at Aidan and his parents as they walk back into the kitchen, the three of them laughing together. A twinge of envy hits me square in the chest. Envy and something else…

Is it longing? Curiosity? Whatever it is, I want it for myself one day. It doesn’t take a detective to know that this family is close.

Aidan gives his father a clap on the back, raising his head.

When his carefree gaze travels the kitchen, searching, I wonder what he’s looking for.

Then, as if he can’t help himself, his eyes land on mine. He makes a slow, deliberate search of my face, one that I can feel everywhere, and I swallow the sudden knot in my throat when he aims a wide smile, dimples on full display, at me.

My tummy doesn’t do a slow swoop this time. It’s a full-fledged somersault instead, and the power is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

This isn’t going to be awkward.

Nope.

Definitely not.

But aside from the fact that I’m practically an outsider, dinner isn’t awkward at all. Seamus and Rosie are very easy to be around, keeping the conversation flowing freely, and I end up relaxed and at ease. Katie’s a delight to be with, too. I sit between her and Seamus, taking care to listen to everything they want to share of their lives with me.

So far, I’ve learned that Katie is quite taken with her new hobby, and Seamus tells me of his volunteering at the community centre as well as tending the gardens at the church now that he’s retired. Since Aidan still hasn’t gotten his new dinner table, we sit around the temporary kitchen island, and I actually like that his home isn’t pristine and perfect.

It’s a home, not a fancy country hotel.

While I love the luxury of my cottage, I love being inside a family home so much more.

“Maeve, dear?”

I smile at Rosie sitting opposite me, closest to the kitchen where all the food is laid out, ready for our taking. She passes a plate to me that’s filled to the brim with food. I smile in thanks but gulp inwardly at the sight.

How am I going to get through all that?

“Have you settled in well in our small village?”

“Slowly getting there. It’s a beautiful place, and I love getting so much fresh air.” I throw her a smile and place the plate in front of me.

Rosie returns my smile. “That’s good. Bet it’s a far cry from Dublin, though, isn’t it?”

“I needed the change.” I shuffle in my seat, wanting to get out of the spotlight. “What do you do now that you’re retired?”

“A little bit of this and that.” She sits down and reaches for her knife and fork. “I help out at the local daycare when they want to go on day trips. But since alpaca wool is part of the family business, I spend the winters knitting a lot of hats that I either sell at our Saturday markets or at Seafield’s Wool & Craft Co.” She turns her head to Aidan. “That’s the name of the yarn mill. Aidan made the deal with them shortly after we got the lovely animals.”

“That’s brilliant.” I chance a glance at him. “What do you do the rest of the year?”

“Oh, just help out where I can.”

Seamus bumps our shoulders together. “Don’t you listen to her. She does a lot, not a little. She practically arranges the flowers for St. Brigid all on her own.”

“That’s not true.” She lifts her fork and waves it in the air, making a point. “Maureen and Holly help, too.”

Seamus stabs salad on his fork, and I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“Do you knit, Maeve?”

I turn back to Rosie and shake my head. “No, that’s not one of my talents.”

“That’s a shame, but it’s never too late to start learning. Oh!” She claps my hand. “We have our own knitting club. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

I lift my glass for a quick sip before answering. “Thank you. If I’m still here come winter, maybe I’ll try my hand at it.” Then I nod at Katie. “What about you? Can you knit?”