I made a non-committal noise and, in a breezy voice, told my brother, “No need to worry about me, Donny. I’m not seeing him anymore.”
His hand covered mine, and he pulled me closer. “You okay, Sis?”
The tears came out of nowhere, but I fought them back like a champ. “Yeah, at least I will be.”
“You know where I am if you need me, right?”
I nodded.
“Aislynn,” he prompted. “I’m not the kind of brother who gets involved in your love life. I think it’s weird, but if you need me, you come to me. I don’t care who the fucknut thinks he is; if he’s being a dick, I’ll sort it.”
My heart warmed.
Donovan had a reputation for being a ladies' man, but I knew there was way more to him than that. He was kind, sensitive, and sweet. I couldn’t wait for him to meet his woman because I knewthat when he met the right one, he would make her the happiest girl in the world.
We walked outside, and the warmth of the late spring sunshine hit us.
The wedding venue was at the Meadows’ family ranch. They’d converted a couple of barns, one where they held the wedding ceremony, and a larger building where we were going to have a sit-down dinner and a wedding reception later that night. The bifold doors opened out onto a patio lit up with string lights and bulbs, which would look magical later in the evening.
This wedding was everything their first one wasn’t, and I was so happy that Maeve got a day she could look back on and be proud of.
“Thanks, Donny, but I’m good,” I assured him. “How about you? Met anyone special?”
He laughed. “You know me, Sis. Easy come, easy go.”
“I heard a rumor you were lusting after Rosie Woods, who’s recently strutted back into town,” I teased.
“Have you seen her ass?” he asked. “Every straight man under the age of eighty would lust after that, and a few of the gay ones I know too.”
“Just be careful,” I warned. “Atlas would rip your head off your shoulders if you broke his sister’s heart.”
“I don’t think Rosie’s easily broken.” He waggled his eyebrows at me. “Though I’d have fun trying.”
I slapped his arm. “Have some respect.”
He rubbed his arm. “I’ll call Child Protective Services on you if you keep beating me up.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You two,” Mam called over. “We’re taking photographs now. Move your arses.”
Donovan nodded in the direction of the photographer. “Come on before she takes her frying pan to us. I’m too pretty toget my face beaten, and anyway, I’ve gotta humdinger of a best man’s speech to deliver.”
I looked up at him and muttered, “Oh my God.”
Donovan chuckled under his breath. “He won’t help ya, and he won’t help our big brother either. Take it from me, Sis. Callum’s in for a treat.”
—————
Donovan was right;the best man’s speech was raucous, dirty, and utterly brilliant. Tears streamed down my face from laughing, which was amazing. I hadn’t had much to laugh about recently, so it was nice to just let go of the sadness, even if it was just for a while.
Donny began flicking through the telegrams that had been sent to Callum and Maeve by the people who hadn’t been able to make it. “Ma’s family back in Roscommon send their apologies. They couldn’t make it today but wish you a long and happy marriage. The same from Da’s sister in Belfast; Aunt Margaret sends all her love and says she can’t wait to see you when you arrive there on your honeymoon.” He stopped at one in particular and did a double take. “Your old football teammates from college send their apologies, Callum. The boys couldn’t be here today, but they wanted me to pass along a message to Maeve.” He paused briefly, then relayed, “They told me to let you know that he was useless in most positions, and they hope that you have better luck tonight.”
A wave of laughter filled the room, and a loud bellowing chuckle went up from Atlas.
“Lord deliver me,” Ma cried through it.
Callum’s cheeks stained red.
