I pushed open Paddy’s garage's metal door and stepped into the cavernous space. The scent of oil and metal hit me immediately.
Paddy was under the hood of an ancient truck, muttering to himself. He straightened up when he saw me, wiping his hands on a rag.
“Aye, how’s my favorite Yank doing?”
“I’m good, Paddy.” I shook hands with him. “I hear you got my parts.”
“Connor Kelly came by The Banshee’s Rest,” Paddy deduced.
“He certainly did.”
“Dee kick him out for wanting beer first thing in the morning?”
I laughed. “Yeah, she did.”
“You want some tea?” Paddy asked, walking to the counter where he had a stove and a sink.
“Sure.”
We sat down at the small table with tea andbiscuits. There was something almost Southern about the Irish hospitality. You were offered a drink and a snack—just as you would if you walked into any home in Charleston.
“Your car will be ready in a couple of days.” Paddy picked up a biscuit.
I took a deep breath. “I need a favor.”
Paddy nodded and bit into the biscuit, waiting for me to spill my guts.
“I need you to lie for me.”
“Boyo, I’m happy to lie for a good cause. So, what kind of lie are we talking about?”
I grinned. “Can you pretend the car isn’t ready?”
He let out a low whistle, glancing over at the sleek black Porsche in the corner. “You’re telling me you’d rather stay in Ballybeg than drive that beauty out of here?”
“Yeah, well, I’m not in a rush to get back to real life.” I drank some tea. “And the pub’s growing on me. Or maybe it’s the company.”
“Ah.” Paddy wiggled his eyebrows knowingly. “So, it’s our Dee, is it?”
I shrugged, playing it cool, even though my mind immediately went to the way her green eyes lit up when she gave me a hard time. “Maybe.”
Paddy turned serious. “You won’t be hurting her, will you?”
“No! Never intentionally. I…she stirs something in me.”
“She’s special, is our Dee,” he said with a smile. “Hard life she’s lived. Broke her heart to lose her parents and then Maggie. That O’Farrell asshole was never good enough for her, and I’m glad she didn’t end up marrying the wanker.”
I didn’t want him to get the wrong impression, so I clarified, “Nothing is going on betweenus, and there may never be anything. I just…like it here. I like the fresh air, the easy life, and Ronan’s food. I’ve been working hard for years, and this is a welcome break.”
“You and Dee are grown. It ain’t any of my business. Just treat her with respect. That’s all I ask.”
“That I will do,” I promised.
Paddy finished his tea and took it to the sink. He rinsed it and set it on the drying mat. “Fine. I’ll tell her I’m waiting on new parts. But you’re paying for the storage fee.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “How big are the parts?”
Paddy laughed. “What do you care?”
