As she hurried away, Sara turned to him. “Obviously I don’t know anything about your mom since I don’t even live here, but I’m staying with people who might have information.”
“Oh?”
“It so happens I’m visiting for a week, too. If you’re open to it, I’d like to help.”
What an amazing offer. “But you’re on holiday. You must have plans.”
“Sure, but they’re flexible. Nothing’s a command performance except the combined birthday celebration for my sister and brother on Saturday night.”
His heartbeat quickened at the prospect of spending more time with her. He was strongly attracted, but he could dial it back. This wasn’t the time or the place. Besides, anyone who looked like her would surely have someone special in New Jersey.
He met her gaze. “Then thank you. I’d very much like your help.”
“Great.” She gave him a brilliant smile. “Let’s start with your hat.”
CHAPTER TWO
When Kieran had announced his reason for being in Wagon Train, Sara had resisted a powerful urge to hug him. So inappropriate. They’d just met.
But boy, had she wanted to grab hold and squeeze tight. Gorgeous, Irish and motherless, he was the most huggable man she’d met in ages.
Not to mention his accent. Although she hadn’t been to Ireland yet, she’s probably get that opportunity next year. She’d coordinated a tour of New York City for a group from Dublin this past March and interacting with that bunch had been awesome. She could listen to those folks sayDooblinandtat’s craicall day long.
None of them had looked like Kieran Haggerty, though. Lilting speech coming out of his mouth created all sorts of squishy reactions in her suddenly warm body. Did she have time to be his partner in this quest? Hell, yeah.
But first she’d help him find the right hat. “Do you know what size you wear?”
“Not really. I’ve worn adjustable caps all my life.”
The way he saidadjoostablemade her toes curl. She took off the hat she had on and looked inside. “This is a seven and one-eighth. Want to try it, just for size?”
“All right.” He set it lightly on his head, glanced in the full-length mirror and grinned. The hat perched a good two inches above the tips of his ears. “I look like an eejit.”
“Eejit.” She smiled back at him. “My Dublin tour group used that word all the time.”
“You took a trip to Dublin?”
“No, the Dublin group came to New York and I organized a tour of the city for them.I had so much fun listening to them.”
“That’s what you do? Take folks around New York?” He handed over the hat.
“I’m not usually on the tour myself. I organize them, and not just for New York. I can plan a tour for most any large city in the country. The guide for the Dublin group’s tour got sick at the last minute and we couldn’t find a replacement so I stepped in.”
“It’s your company, then?”
She took it as a compliment that he imagined her capable of running the operation. “No, I work for Adventuring Travel.”
His blue gaze sharpened. “I’ve seen buses in Dublin with that on the side.”
“Those would be ours. We’re world-wide, but I’m not trained on any international tours yet. I’ll start next year. I can’t wait for my turn to go to Dublin.”
“My village isn’t far from there. I’m in the city all the time. You’ll have to ring me.”
“I will. It’s great to have local connections.” And he’d just reminded her of the main reason to keep this relationship friendly but not too friendly. Different worlds, ships passing in the night and so on.
She put on her hat. Technically she didn’t own it yet, but she would. “Since mine was a terrible fit, you’d better go up a size, or maybe two sizes. Are you familiar with the various brands?”
“Only Stetson.”
