Colin reached to pat David on the back. “The best.”
* * *
Cory arrived within the hour,and after greeting him, Colin wandered to where his two aunts sat chatting with Erin and Shayleen. “You guys want to come with us for a walk in the park?”
“No, thank you, sir,” Shayleen told him. “You go off.We’llstay here and enjoy the peace and quiet.”
Colin laughed and took Joshua’s arm. “C’mon, bud.”
“No,” Joshua told him. “You go with the guys. I’m staying here.”
“We’re staying too, Colin,” Nate informed him.
“Why?”
“Because you need some time alone with your cousins,” David told him. “We’ll see you when you get back.”
“You sure?” Colin asked.
“We’re positive,” Joshua told him, then kissed him tenderly. “Go, my love. Enjoy.”
* * *
After they left,David wandered back into the kitchen with Nora. “I’m going to be able to cook authentic Celtic dishes when I get home,” he told Nate. “Nora is teaching me some amazing Irish recipes.”
Nate watched him go, then laughed softly. “He’s having a fantastic time. He and your aunt Nora are becoming quite an item!”
“I hope you’re enjoying yourself too.”
“I really am, Josh. This whole trip has been wonderful.” He leaned toward Joshua. “Colin seems more connected to Danny than to anyone other than Aileen.”
Joshua nodded. “When Kathy died, Colin’s parents sent him to Ireland to stay with Aileen. He was a grief-stricken fourteen-year-old, tortured by a survivor’s guilt he didn’t even understand. His parents didn’t know what to do with him. They thought being in Ireland would help him move past his sister’s suicide.” He glanced over to Colin’s aunt. “Aileen tried her best, but Colin was horribly traumatized. All he did was hide in his room.” He glanced up at Nate. “So, she called Danny.”
“He took Colin back to Galway with him and made him a member of the crew on his fishing boat. He taught Colin how to handle the nets and gave him other jobs to do. Kept him busy. Gave him purpose. He spent a lot of time with Colin, talked to him, cried with him, and, most importantly,listenedto him. He helped Colin find a measure of peace and healing, at least as much as a child his agecouldfind under those horrible circumstances. Colin never forgot it. They grew close during those terrible months, and they’ve stayed close ever since.”
“God, Josh, that breaks my heart. I hate to think of Colin suffering that way.”
“I love Danny. He helped the man I love through the most difficult and painful period of his life, and I’ll always be grateful to him.”
* * *
When the fourcousins returned from the park, the family gathered around the table for dinner, where Nora clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Quiet, you lot! I want you all to know that two of the dishes being served tonight were cooked by our newest family member, David Gardener-Reese. He made the shepherd’s pie and the Colcannon potatoes, and he helped with the soda bread!”
“Bravo, Professor!” Colin called out.
“Takes a brave man to do battle with my mother in the kitchen,” Danny told him with a quick grin. “Hat’s off to you, David.”
“Believe me, I wasn’t doing battle. I was learning at the feet of the master.” And here he bowed low to Nora, who bowed in return.
The dinner was lively and filled with cross-table conversation, and Joshua felt a warm glow fill his chest, seeing Colin’s obvious happiness.
“I wish we could live here,” he murmured, leaning against Colin’s arm.
“Well,” Colin said, grinning, “wecould.But then I’d have to go back to law school for three years.” When Joshua didn’t respond, he leaned back and examined his face. “Are youserious?”
“You’re so happy here!”
Colin gave a soft laugh and touched his forehead to Joshua’s. “Honey, I’m happy athome.” He leaned back and, with a sweep of his hand, indicated the whole room. “Randy and Cory head back to Limerick tomorrow to their store, and Danny heads back to Galway to his fishing boat. It’s not like they’re always together. They have jobs and lives, too. This…” Again, he indicated the whole room. “This is special. This is rare.” He kissed Joshua’s cheek. “Maybe when we retire.”
