“Really?” her father asked in surprise. He cast a glance at Rory Kelly. “Who did you go on this dinner date with?”
“A handsome American who said all the right things,” she said, with a quick grin at her father's apparent frown.
“Why on earth would you go out with an American? You know, they will be gone almost as soon as they arrive here,” he said with a disapproving frown while lifting his Guinness.
“Maybe he will, maybe he won't,” she said, lifting her chin in defiance as she strode past her father and friend and reached for an empty glass to fill with water. “You did say that I should be getting married, didn't you?” daring to push them a little farther. He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Yes,” he said. “It's only proper for a woman to run her business side by side with a good strong man who can help her.”
The water in Caitlin's mouth all but turned to bile, as she forced herself to breathe slowly through her nose. God, she hated that he felt her incapable without a man at her side.
“Precisely,” she said, tongue in cheek. “I have found me a handsome man who would no doubt thoroughly enjoy becoming the owner of a rustic Irish Pub in Galway,” she said and lowered the cup to the counter with an audible clank.
“You will do no such thing, Caitlin Margaret,” he said, as he lifted a finger and pointed it to her. Normally she and her father had a very positive and friendly relationship. But at the moment she was feeling anything but friendly. “You will find yourself a good Irish lad. Preferably one that comes from a good family, with some kind of business background,” he said, gesturing as the words rushed out. “Someone who will understand the importance of family loyalty whom we can rely on. That's certainly not an American here on holiday,” he scowled.
“Oh my,” Caitlin murmured, fighting back the smile that tugged at her lips. “Don't tell me you’re prejudice.”
“It's not prejudice. It's true.” He snarled and Caitlin had to resist the urge to walk around the bar and wrap a loving arm around his shoulder. She loved him dearly. But that still didn't make what he was doing any more acceptable in her eyes.
“I'm sorry you don't like it, but you don't get to dictate who I will marry. You are dictating my future career and income, isn't that enough?” she asked, turning her back to him as she reached for the small apron and tied it tight around her waist to prepare for her next shift.
“I really wish you would consider that boy,” her father said, and Caitlin closed her eyes, tilting her face toward the ceiling and decided to play it cool.
“No thank you,” she said, her voice clipped.
“Won't you at least give the boy a chance?”
“Why should I?” she asked sourly. “It's not like we're particularly close.”
“Have you ever tried to be?” he asked, and she scowled at the empty mug in her hand.
"I've never had a reason to try to be.”
“He is only the brother of your best friend.” Rory Kelly’s voice rose from behind her, bringing back memories from childhood. She was always taught to respect her elders. She knew that she was being childish now. However, she didn't have it in her to turn and face the men who fought so hard to dictate her future.
“Have you talked to your son about your efforts to shove us together?” she asked, turning to face them and rest her hands on the counter behind her, lowering her elbows and attempting to appear calm and collected.
“Regardless of your childhood differences,” her father shot a warning glance to his friend, “The two of you are going to be spending a considerable amount of time together. You might as well get used to it and make the best of it. You'll only be making yourself miserable if you continue to pout in this manner.”
“Why would we be seeing more of each other? Other than running into him during lunch dates, or at the market, will we really be that close?” she asked, feeling that she already knew the answer.
“I have invited young Daniel Kelly to apprentice here over the fall.”
“Apprentice?” she asked. The outrage bubbled up within her. “Why the hell would you ask him to apprentice here?”
“I would like my son to get a better handle on business,” Rory said, his voice low, a warning that she knew was meant to shut her up. “I want to make sure he can handle himself in all kinds of businesses and situations before he takes over.”
“Our families have worked closely together for years; didn’t you know that, Caitlin?” her father added as she struggled to maintain a neutral expression.
“Yes, of course-” she started.
“Then you should also understand that the success of one family business will only lead to increased success in the other,” Rory finished.
“So you're giving him an apprenticeship here. What will he handle?” Anger bubbled within her.
“The books for sure,” Rory said, and her father nodded his head in agreement.
“Yes, we want him to keep track of the inventory that comes and goes. As he continues to do well, we'll give him more control over the business until he's ready to help his father.”
