Nate leaned over the back seat and poked Colin’s shoulder from behind. “Are we there yet?” he teased, grinning. “Huh, Dad? Huh?Huh?”
“You want towalkto Blarney Castle?” Colin threatened. “Because I can arrange that.”
Nate was still giggling when David grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “Please don’t harass the driver! He’s got all he can handle remembering which side of the road he’s on.”
* * *
The parking lotwas half-full when they arrived at Blarney Castle, and the line to kiss the famous stone contained only about twenty people. Nate was giddy with excitement as they inched their way forward. “This is so damnedcool!” he said, then wheeled to Colin. “You’re not going to do it?”
“I’vedoneit!”
“Josh? You’re not going to kiss the Stone?”
“My husband has the gift of gab,” Joshua said with a soft chuckle. “I’m happy to leave that particular aspect of our lives to him.”
Nate turned to David and grinned. “And I don’t suppose the sedate and unflappable Professor Gardener is willing to hang upside down and kiss a rock covered with other people’s germs.”
“Well, that’s where you’rewrong, rabble-rouser, because Iwillkiss the Stone!”
“What?” Colin exclaimed with a quick laugh. “Wow, I did not expectthat!”
When they reached the platform, the attendants instructed Nate to lie down on his back, but Colin grabbed one of their arms before they could guide Nate further. He offered a twenty-euro note and gestured to Nate, silently asking them to step aside.
The attendant smiled in return and stepped back, allowing Colin to grab Nate’s legs and lower him toward the Stone, bouncing him several times.
“Hey!!” Nate yelled, dangling upside down, inches from the famous Blarney Stone. “What thefuck!”
“Grab the rail and kiss it!” Colin called, bouncing him again.
“Colin, is thatyou?Goddammit, Irish, let me go! Stop bouncing me around!”
“You gonna kiss the damn thing? Do I have to dangle you upside down all day? C’mon, Nate! Other people are waiting. It’s right in front of your nose!Kiss it already!”
“Damn you, Colin!” Nate sputtered but grabbed the attached support and quickly kissed the famous stone. “Now, pull me up, you dickwad!”
Breathless with laughter, Colin pulled Nate from the enclosure and held him while David and Joshua lifted him to his feet. “Well, you kissed it!” Colin said, poking Nate’s ribs. “You feel any more articulate?”
“I know this much,” Nate blurted out, punching Colin’s shoulder. “I have a couple hundred choice words to say toyou!”
“Anyone tries that crap with me, and they’re going to get their ass kicked,” David told the group as he sprawled on his back, preparing for his turn at the Blarney Stone. “And I’m talking toyou, Colin Michael!”
Colin looked down at his friend, laughing and still fending off Nate’s fists. “Kiss away, Professor. I’ve hit my daily quota for being annoying.”
“You’reneverdone being annoying!” Nate exclaimed, brushing dust off his jacket. “It’s what you do best!”
David completed the ritual and was hauled to his feet.
“That it?” Colin enquired. “We all done?” He turned to Joshua. “Josh? You sure you don’t want to kiss the Stone?”
Joshua lifted both hands in protest. “Hard pass!” He linked his arm with Colin’s as they moved toward the exit. “You’re glib enough for the two of us.” He waved his phone in front of Colin’s eyes. “I got a couple of good shots of you dangling Nate over the abyss.”
Colin gave an evil snicker. “I am about to become an Instagramrock star!”
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
IRELAND - KILLARNEY
David had not yet brought the vehicle to a complete halt in Aileen’s driveway before Colin burst out of the car and ran to greet his aunt. His face alight with joy; he lifted her off her feet and twirled her in a circle. “Ahn-tee! God, I’m so glad to be here!” He kissed her cheek. “I’ve missed you!”
