Read Online Echoes Of The Past (Fermosa Bay #1) by Iris Blobel - Free Book Online
Authors: Iris Blobel
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looked at Ethan, then Jack, who gave him a slight nod. There were a couple of things Connor wasn’t sure how to take. Jack’s slow nod or the simple conversing without words which made him feel like the odd one out.
But why did he need Jack’s approval?
“I’m not asking for secrets,” he said with some disappointment in his voice. “Just trying to start a conversation. Ethan told me you’re managing the bars in the hotels.”
Niall let out a long breath. “Sorry, mate. I wasn’t sure how much you knew and didn’t want to be the one…anyway, yes I’m in charge of that area.” He chuckled. “At least I don’t work directly under Ethan.”
The comment earned him a small slap over his head, and again Connor felt some jealousy within him.
Niall leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs. “Mate, I’m so sorry about what happened all those years ago.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath when Connor leaned forward and placed his hand on Niall’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
“Damn it, Connor. I heard ‘ It’s not your fault’ for the last twenty years. Show me some respect and give me a chance to apologise.”
Connor was taken aback by the outburst, but deep inside he wasn’t surprised. With all the conflicting stories floating around about what had actually happened, it made sense for Niall to live life with a good chunk of guilt weighing on his shoulders.
After a long moment, he nodded. “I suppose that means you owe me free beers while I’m here.”
He hoped the little bit of humour would break the ice. There’d be a time and place for the two to talk about it more. The time and place was not today, though.
Niall raised his head and met his gaze. Slowly, a small grin appeared on his face before he finally said, “You play a hard bargain, but…okay. Free beer it is.”
***
Emily sat in her mother’s kitchen, enjoying a sandwich for lunch. “Nice sandwiches, Mum.”
“These are a few leftovers from Jack’s order this morning.”
“Jack’s order?” Emily asked without looking up.
Pouring some tea, Jacqui sat next to her daughter. “Jack took the boys out to the waterfalls.”
Stopping the sandwich halfway to her mouth, she stared at her mother. “What do you mean?”
A smile spread across Jacqui’s face. “Don’t be jealous. From what I heard, you had Connor all for yourself last night.”
Emily felt her cheeks burning. She’d been prepared for the local gossip. Nothing was safe, not even the smallest little secret, but to have her mother know about it so soon? Placing the sandwich on the plate, she rested her head in her hands.
“How on earth do you know already?” she whispered.
Her mother leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. “Well, since about a minute ago, not at all, or, well…just a rumour.”
Looking up from the safety of her hands, she met her mother’s gaze.
“Jack mentioned something like Connor left last night to have dinner with you and only returned this morning. Darling—”
“Mum, please.”
“He’ll break your heart. His life is on the other end of the world. I just want you—”
“To be happy. I know.” Emily stood. “I appreciate it.” She let out a long sigh. “Mum, I’m almost thirty—”
“I know. The more reason to start finding somebody. Get settled.”
She knew her mother was right, but deep inside she also knew that until now, she hadn’t been able to settle with just anybody. She’d lived in her own dream world, waiting for Connor. Of course, she’d known how crazy it sounded, or how crazy it made her seem, but in the end, whenever she’d met someone, he’d had no chance to compare to the person she’d made up Connor to be.
Last night, though, she’d found out he was exactly what she’d always imagined him to be. He’d made her feel sexy and desirable, in a way she hadn’t expected to ever feel with a man.
And he’d stayed until the morning. Didn’t run, didn’t
But why did he need Jack’s approval?
“I’m not asking for secrets,” he said with some disappointment in his voice. “Just trying to start a conversation. Ethan told me you’re managing the bars in the hotels.”
Niall let out a long breath. “Sorry, mate. I wasn’t sure how much you knew and didn’t want to be the one…anyway, yes I’m in charge of that area.” He chuckled. “At least I don’t work directly under Ethan.”
The comment earned him a small slap over his head, and again Connor felt some jealousy within him.
Niall leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs. “Mate, I’m so sorry about what happened all those years ago.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath when Connor leaned forward and placed his hand on Niall’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”
“Damn it, Connor. I heard ‘ It’s not your fault’ for the last twenty years. Show me some respect and give me a chance to apologise.”
Connor was taken aback by the outburst, but deep inside he wasn’t surprised. With all the conflicting stories floating around about what had actually happened, it made sense for Niall to live life with a good chunk of guilt weighing on his shoulders.
After a long moment, he nodded. “I suppose that means you owe me free beers while I’m here.”
He hoped the little bit of humour would break the ice. There’d be a time and place for the two to talk about it more. The time and place was not today, though.
Niall raised his head and met his gaze. Slowly, a small grin appeared on his face before he finally said, “You play a hard bargain, but…okay. Free beer it is.”
***
Emily sat in her mother’s kitchen, enjoying a sandwich for lunch. “Nice sandwiches, Mum.”
“These are a few leftovers from Jack’s order this morning.”
“Jack’s order?” Emily asked without looking up.
Pouring some tea, Jacqui sat next to her daughter. “Jack took the boys out to the waterfalls.”
Stopping the sandwich halfway to her mouth, she stared at her mother. “What do you mean?”
A smile spread across Jacqui’s face. “Don’t be jealous. From what I heard, you had Connor all for yourself last night.”
Emily felt her cheeks burning. She’d been prepared for the local gossip. Nothing was safe, not even the smallest little secret, but to have her mother know about it so soon? Placing the sandwich on the plate, she rested her head in her hands.
“How on earth do you know already?” she whispered.
Her mother leaned forward and rested her arms on the table. “Well, since about a minute ago, not at all, or, well…just a rumour.”
Looking up from the safety of her hands, she met her mother’s gaze.
“Jack mentioned something like Connor left last night to have dinner with you and only returned this morning. Darling—”
“Mum, please.”
“He’ll break your heart. His life is on the other end of the world. I just want you—”
“To be happy. I know.” Emily stood. “I appreciate it.” She let out a long sigh. “Mum, I’m almost thirty—”
“I know. The more reason to start finding somebody. Get settled.”
She knew her mother was right, but deep inside she also knew that until now, she hadn’t been able to settle with just anybody. She’d lived in her own dream world, waiting for Connor. Of course, she’d known how crazy it sounded, or how crazy it made her seem, but in the end, whenever she’d met someone, he’d had no chance to compare to the person she’d made up Connor to be.
Last night, though, she’d found out he was exactly what she’d always imagined him to be. He’d made her feel sexy and desirable, in a way she hadn’t expected to ever feel with a man.
And he’d stayed until the morning. Didn’t run, didn’t
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