Page 10 of His Royal Request

My initial instinct was to say yes, first because he offered and second because it was the easy option. It would allow me to zone out or overthink the fact that I’m in a car with strangers traveling through a foreign country.

Oh, no. I was living the movies I was terrified of. How had I let this happen?

“No!” I shouted the word and cringed. “I … umm I’d rather take in the scenery.”

He gave me a questioning look but nodded. He made the TVs disappear then pointed at the window. “Look, there’s a castle.”

I leaned over to look out his side and giggled at the crumbling stones of a small building a tower. “A partial castle.”

He shrugged. “Americans, you just can’t impress them.”

George laughed as he drove effortlessly through the winding road. I sucked in a breath with each car that passed. There were inches between us, the wall on the side of the road, and the other car. Compared to the freeways back home, this was a sidewalk.

“Are ye hungry?” George asked from the front.

I shrugged. “I can wait.”

“One of my favorite fish and chips is in Doolin is up the road.”

Aiden looked to me and I nodded. I guess you couldn’t get enough fresh fish and chips in Ireland. He didn’t need to know what I ordered the night before.

“Right.” Minutes later George parked along the road across from a line of colorful buildings.

George opened my door and Aiden got out and waved his arms. “Welcome to Doolin.”

I looked at the storybook road and smiled. We were only a few miles away from the Cliffs but it was sunny and warm. It was just raining, but now the sun was out. Such finicky weather. I was wanting to shed my jacket as quickly as I had to put it on

Aiden led us to a pub and claimed a table before heading to the bar. George sat facing me, with his ever-present smile. “How are you likin’ Ireland, miss?”

I sighed, utterly content. “I love it here. Everyone is so friendly and kind. I love that each town has a sense of community. I’ve lived in the same city my whole life but we don’t have that. I actually really like the weather, and being able to see the open land without traffic and high rises and distractions. I feel like life really happens here.” I paused. “Plus, all the baby cows and sheep are cute.”

George chuckled, looking pleased by my answer. “What else do you plan to do while yer here?

Aiden dropped into a chair next to me, “Food should be up soon.”

I reached for my purse. “Thanks. I’ll pay for mine.”

He waved me off. “It’s my pleasure.”

My eyes darted to George who nodded slightly and winked as if to say just let it go.

“Well, thank you.”

“Miss Charlie was about to tell me the rest of her plans.”

Aiden sat up. “Well then, let’s hear it.”

“My plan was to spend some time here. I want to find out more about my mother’s family. Then I was thinking of London then Paris. Maybe Spain or Italy after.”

George was nodding encouragingly while Aiden’s eyes narrowed. “Why isn’t that still the plan?”

I looked down at the tabletop. “It’s harder than I expected.”

“In what way?” His imploring eyes trapped me, pulling answers from my lips.

“It’s scary on my own. I thought I would be okay, but I don’t think I’m brave enough.” Neither of them said anything so I continued, filling the silence. “It’s also more expensive than I was expecting.”

I didn’t want to admit that what I’d budgeted for would only get me through Ireland. I’d been a bit optimistic about how far my money would go. I might be able to afford London if I was really strict with my budget here.