"Are you sure you need to travel back tonight?" Eve said, holding onto Shane's hands. "It's ever so dark now."
Shane nodded. "We'll be fine, Ma. Don't worry."
He pulled open the driver's door but didn't get a chance to get inside because his sisters tackled him from behind.
"Stay!" they cried.
"We want to have a sleepover with Keira," Hannah whined.
Keira desperately wanted to stay the night—for the rest of her life, if she was being honest with herself—but her anxiety over her piece was starting to rear its head again, no thanks to Joshua's curt email. Only now the pressure was even worse because she was wrestling with the addition of feelings of self-loathing.
"I'm sorry," Shane told his youngest sister. "But I'll bring Keira back another day, okay? She's here for the whole month, after all."
"Are you, Keira?" Hannah squealed, looking more excited than ever. "Will you come back next weekend?"
"I don't know about that," Keira said. "If my work is going well then I can. I'm a bit behind at the moment." Saying it aloud made her feel it more keenly, and her stomach sunk.
"Not everyone spends their days skipping through buttercup fields, sis," Shane said drily to Hannah. "Some people have to work."
His little sister pouted. Shane pulled her into a bear hug. "I'll see if I can convince her to another trip later."
Keira couldn't help but feel rather mournful at the thought of a missed trip to see the family. She wished she'd met them all under completely different circumstances, perhaps as a traveler or wandering nomad type, then she could stay guilt free on their lovely farm for as long as she wished. As it stood, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt about the piece she was supposed to be writing. How could she insult this wonderful place that created such delightful humans as Shane and his family? And how disappointed would they be when they read her words in print, bashing them for being simple? She felt sick with anxiety.
Finally, they got back into the car and Shane waved his final goodbye to his family. He reversed the car out of the drive and turned them around onto the small dirt path. There were no streetlights and Keira found the darkness somewhat suffocating. Even when Shane turned out onto the main road, which was at least made of asphalt, she still felt the blackness crowding in on her.
"You okay?" Shane asked.
Keira nodded.
"Are you mad that I kept you away from your writing for so long?" he said. "We won't get back until about midnight at the earliest."
"It's not that," Keira said.
Shane fell silent, turning his attention back out the windshield.
"Is it Zach?" he asked after a long moment.
The pit that was already in Keira's stomach grew. She hadn't given Zach so much as a second thought all afternoon. She'd allowed herself to get completely sucked into the magic of Shane's family home. Now it felt like reality was back to bite.
"It's work," she said dismissively.
"Writer's block?"
"Something like that."
Shane gave up trying to get Keira to talk. She slumped in her seat, resting her chin on her fist and watching the hedges zoom by out the window. She felt like she'd blown everything, her writing and things with Shane. What a mess it all was.
"I'm sure you'll find someone to speak to tonight," Shane said hopefully. "Maybe the horse race will give you the spark of inspiration you need."
"Horse race?" Keira asked.
Shane looked at her and grinned, his cheeky self seemingly returning. "You haven't heard about this? It's bonkers. And great fun. It's curated by the matchmaker. He puts couples together and then they race in a horse and cart."
"Like gladiators?"
"Sure. But very slow. It's really fun. You'll love it."
Keira thought she probably would, just like she seemed to like everything else in this country. And that was just the problem.
*
When they made it back to the festival it was indeed very late in the evening. They parked and headed into the crowds.
A band played country music as Shane led Keira over to one of the stalls. There were two huge shamrock piñatas sat upon it, one pink and one blue.
"A confusing mix of cultures," Keira said. "What is this? Some kind of baby shower contest?"
"You pay a euro to put your name in the piñata and at the end of the festival one man and one woman win a prize," Shane explained.
"A romantic trip for two," the lady manning the stall said.
Keira rolled her eyes. "I'm good, thanks."
Shane pulled some money out of his pocket and paid for two slips, writing his name on one and Keira's on the other.
"Good luck!" the lady behind the stall said as he posted them into the piñatas.
Keira tutted and shook her head. "What a waste of money," she said to Shane.
He just shrugged. "You've got to be in it to win it."
She looked at him with a frown. "Who wants to go on vacation with a stranger?" she scoffed.
She could hear the tone of her voice. The pressure was getting to her and it was starting to bubble over, to spill out as irritation. Poor Shane was just in the way of her bad mood.
They followed the crowd of people to the side of the street where a barricade had been put up. Standing in the street the other side stood several horses with carts attached behind them, the type that people could stand up in. There was bunting strung across the street.
"Looks like it's starting soon," Shane said. "Fancy a go?"
"Us?" Keira exclaimed. "No way. I have to do some more interviews. Like yesterday. My jerk of a boss is on my back."
"I could help," Shane said. "Look for some people?"
Keira shook her head. Shane had no idea what kind of people she needed for the interview. He'd probably pick the cutest most loved up couple ever, not realizing that what she needed were two poorly matched people in a train wreck of a relationship.
Instead, she rummaged in her purse and pulled out some euros. "Why don't you go?"
"Alone?" Shane said, surprised.
"Ask one of the singletons to ride with you," Keira insisted. "It won't be hard to get a date with your swanky new hair." Then under her breath she added, "Find yourself another Tessa."
Shane looked horrified. "I'm not doing that," he stammered.
Keira wondered what was provoking such a reaction in him. She dared not let herself believe it could have anything to do with her. But even so, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach at the fact that Shane was refusing. Things had definitely changed since that first night with Tessa.
"Well, place a bet for me then," Keira said, nudging the money his way.
"On who?" Shane asked, bemused, as he took the money from her.
"On the horse with the silliest name," she said. "I'll listen for it on the speaker."
Before Shane had a chance to argue, Keira rushed off into the crowd, detaching herself from him like a Band-aid on sensitive skin. Leaving him left a sense of longing inside of her, one she loathed and loved in equal measures.
Desperate to find someone who fit the bill for her article, Keira wandered into a nearby pub. But inside she just found more of the same, more happiness, more romance, more joy. She knew not to trust forlorn men at the bar because of her experience with Patrick. So far, Tessa was the only person whose interview had any worth to fitting her narrative.
She went outside, looking for another hen party group, some drunk young women who were just here to play the field. But it seemed as though the matchmaker had done his job too well. Everywhere she looked she saw happy couples, men and women looking loved up in each other's company.
Over the loudspeakers, the horse race was announced as about to start. Everyone's attention seemed to be focused on that. Keira realized that the only place she wanted to be right now was beside Shane, watching along like all the others. No one would know they were working together; they'd look just like any of the other couples here. The thought made her stomach flutter.
She weaved back through the crowds. When she saw the back of his head, she made a beeline, then nuzzled her way in beside him.
"That was quick," he said, looking down to see who had nudged him out of the way.
Keira shook her head. "I can't find anyone for my article. I don't know what to do."
"Can't find anyone?" Shane mocked. "You're surrounded by loved up couples."
Keira sighed. There was no way she could tell him her article was supposed to trash this place. She hated to think how little he would think of her if he found that out. And besides, she was going to have to change tactics. There was no way she could complete the article in the way Joshua and Elliot wanted her to.
"Well then, maybe I just wanted to see the race more than I wanted to work," Keira said. "Who did you place our bet on?"
"I went for these two," Shane said, pointing to a carriage that contained an old man and old woman who must have both been in their eighties. "Their anniversary falls on the festival so they come and celebrate whenever they can. Isn't that sweet?"
Keira laughed aloud. It no longer surprised her. She was surrounded by fairytale love stories.
The race began and the horses started trotting along the road. It wasn't exactly the Grand National but it was definitely entertaining. Keira jumped up and down, cheering them on, clapping along with Shane. She couldn't wipe the grin from her face, in spite of the anguish she felt over the article, over her career.
Her phone buzzed, tearing her out of her reverie and reminding her, just as she was about to get comfortable, that there was work to be done. Luckily it wasn't Joshua this time, but a message from Nina.
Sorry if Joshua bites your head off about the article, I might have let slip that you were struggling to fit the brief.
Keira quickly typed back that it was fine, she expected no less from Joshua, and that she'd find a way to make it work to his taste.
As soon as she'd fired off her email, Keira returned to the temporary state of calm she'd found with Shane. What was it about this place that changed her so drastically? At no other point in her life would the sight of the slowest horse race in the world make her laugh with abandon, or the constant supply of tea and cake from a warm Catholic family make her feel such grand affection. Something about Ireland made her feel genuine, less jaded and stuck up, more alive and enthralled by life than she had in years.
The elderly couple Shane had placed the bet on didn't win. Instead, the race was won by an attractive middle-aged couple. William Barry was there to hand them their trophies and crowns, which were both inflatable.
Keira wondered whether this might be a good angle for her piece, and decided to take the opportunity to speak to them. She nudged her way to the front.
"Can I get an interview with you guys?" she asked.
The woman looked at her a little bemused. "What for?"
She had a European accent, Keira thought. Polish, perhaps.
"I'm a travel writer for a magazine in America. I'm writing a piece on love and romance."
"Watch out for this one," William quipped. "She's a cynic."
The couple exchanged a glance, then shrugged their agreement. Keira led them to a nearby picnic table.
"So the obvious question is where do you come from?" Keira asked. "I can tell by the accent you're not a local."
The woman laughed. "I'm from Krakow."
"And you came to Ireland specifically for the festival?"
The woman nodded seriously. "To find a husband."
Straight to the chase then, Keira thought. She wrote her notes quickly. "So you were both matched this evening, specifically for the horse race?"
The woman nodded. "I've been at the festival since the beginning. William was waiting to find me the right match. I had to be patient. Then today it happened."
The man beside her grinned. Keira noticed they were holding hands under the table.
"Do you think William made the right call?" Keira asked. "You're happy with the outcome?"
"Very." The woman nodded, looking thrilled.
The man seemed just as pleased. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't trust him to do a good job of it."
"So you believe in all of this? In the romance? The love?"
The woman nodded, and flashed an amorous look toward her new beau. Walking behind them, Keira caught sight of the old couple, the one that Shane had placed their bet on. They seemed lost in each other, almost oblivious to the hubbub around them, as they strolled along the street hand in hand. She wondered how many of the couples who'd been matched this year would become that elderly pair one day. Before she came here she would have put the figure at less than one percent. But now she wasn't so sure. Maybe even the couple sitting in front of her would become them some day! Keira wasn't starting to think that everything seemed possible.
"When do you both leave?" Keira asked.
"Tonight," the man said. "Now we've been matched there's no reason to hang around."
"And what happens next? Will you keep in touch?"
"I'm taking her home with me," the man replied. "Back to Dublin."
Keira laughed, thinking he was joking. But when she looked at the woman she realized by her expression that he was deadly serious. Had she met this couple at the beginning of her stay she would have scoffed at them, thought them irrational, illogical. But now after everyone she'd met and everything she'd seen, she found herself rooting for them, wanting everything to work out for them.
She snapped her notebook shut. This was useless. She was never going to get the material she needed for her article.
"Thanks, guys," she said to the couple. "I wish you both the best of luck."
But they seemed to have already forgotten about her, their eyes only for each other.
Keira went back to the B&B. The detour to Shane's house had been a bad idea. It had taken lots of time out of the time she devoted to the festival, and she had hardly left herself any time to write.
Her phone began ringing and she saw that Bryn was calling.
"Hey, lil sis," she said when Keira answered. "I'm so, so sorry about Zach."
It already felt like a lifetime ago that she'd been dumped. Had it really just been one day?
"I think I might be over it," Keira said.
Bryn started cackling. "Nice. Do you need me to go over to the apartment and collect some stuff for you?"
It hadn't yet occurred to Keira that she wasn't just single, but homeless. She'd have to find somewhere new to live when she got back to New York City.
"That would be great if you could," Keira said.
"You really don't sound as upset as I was expecting," Bryn said suspiciously. "Is something going on?"
Keira flopped onto the bed and sighed. There was no point keeping it from Bryn. "It's Shane. I think I'm falling for him."
"Oh. Wow. Really?"
"Yeah."
"You just mean that you want to sleep with him, right?"
"No, I mean I want to be with him. His partner. We just spent the day with his family and it was so much fun. I fell in love with the place, with them. He has six sisters. Six! And they're all amazing. But his youngest sister is sixteen. Her name is Hannah. I think we really connected, you know. There was a real bond there."
Bryn was silent. Then, "Keira, you've known him less than a week. And he's already had a one-night stand in that time. You can't trust this guy."
"What?" Keira snapped. "I thought you of all people would be encouraging me."
"To have a rebound fling, sure," Bryn said. "Not to go from being tied down to some jerk to being tied down to another. You don't even live in the same country. It would never work."
Keira sighed, irritated.
"I don't mean to be the harbinger of bad news all the time," Bryn added. "But it's my duty as your sister to call you out on this stuff. You like Shane because he's a sexy, Irish, mountain-climbing, fiddle-playing bloke. He's fling material. End of. He's probably good for a few rolls around in the sack and nothing more. And I'm sorry if you think he wants anything different from you, Keira, because he doesn't. He knows how to play the system. You already said so yourself."
It hit Keira then that Bryn was right. She'd been getting carried away with herself. She knew guys like Shane back in America. They were the kinds of guys Bryn went on dates with. She'd been burned so many times thinking a guy was really into her when he was actually really into the idea of sleeping with her. Shane was a player, she'd already seen evidence of it.
"Keira?" Bryn asked.
"Sorry. I'm just... I guess you're right. Maybe he only seems great because Zach's been such a jerk."
"See?" Bryn said. "Flirt away with him, sis. Have your fun. Just don't think it's more than it is."
With her sister's sage advice streaming through her head, Keira ended the call and got to work on some writing. She tried to emulate the snarky tone she'd captured so well on her first night here, but even as she read over the first draft she couldn't reconcile herself with the person she'd been back then. She closed her eyes and thought of Zach, of how angry she was at him, and tried to channel those emotions into her writing, but to no avail.
An email came through from Joshua, with just one simple word: Update?
The pressure certainly wasn't helping. She shuffled over to the window and tried to eavesdrop on some of the conversations taking place on the streets beneath her, tried to conjure up her irritation during those first few sleep-deprived evenings when the noise had kept her awake. But it was useless. Even the disgusting wallpaper now just seemed quaint to her. All the chatter was more like soothing white noise rather than grating.
She closed her eyes and immediately saw Shane's face floating into her vision. Then she heard a noise coming from the window beside her. Her eyes snapped open and she looked left just in time to see a pebble hit the window. Down in the street, bathed in moonlight, stood Shane.
Shocked, Keira pulled open the window.
"You ran off without saying goodbye," he called up to her.
"I'm sorry," she called back down, acutely aware of how much her heart was racing. How could she tell him she'd needed space? That she was finding it hard to tear herself away from him but desperately needed to get some work done?
"Well, are you saying goodnight now or are you coming down for the next horse race?" Shane shouted.
With his new trimmed beard and styled hair, none of his gorgeous features were obscured. Bryn's warning repeated in Keira's mind, not to get to close, to have fun but not to fall for this guy.
Fun. She deserved that, right?
Keira leapt out of her seat. "I'm coming," she called down.
She shut the window hurriedly, excited to be reunited with Shane. Then she snapped her laptop closed, shutting away Joshua's demanding email.