Page 31 of Broken Blood Ties

“Nothing,” I say, catching the flecks of copper glimmering in her irises. Like a punch to the gut, the vague recognition of my fight the other night renders me speechless. Are her eyes?—

“You know, you’re almost charming when you’re without words.”

I nearly growl. “And ye’re almost kind when ye’re not being so brutally honest.”

Summer rolls her eyes and turns to the kids, asking them to line up as she passes out the tri-fold brochure maps from the aquarium. Handing me one, she introduces Rick, our class’s tour guide. He’s in tight khaki pants and an aqua-blue polo shirt, looking too excited to be standing next to Summer. Dark brown hair is shaved close to his head, the rest of his facial features are average aside from his straight brows. He looks around her age, too—this man thinks he’s got a shot.

I hope this guy has experience with the piranhas here.

Rick guides our group to the first exhibit of penguins explaining the two types, African and Rockhopper, and I seek Aoife to watch her face light up with pure enjoyment as she watches them waddle on the rocks and jump into the pool of water. She giggles with another little girl as they point.

But after Aoife, I can’t help but discreetly glance at Summer gawking at the penguins herself. I’m sure she’s been here before as a teacher, but her smile lights up the room. She has some of the whitest teeth, and I find myself captivated by her lips as she lifts another little girl up to see better.

The little girl wraps her arms around the back of Summer’s neck, hand tangling in her short hair. She doesn’t seem fazed though. Content to care more about her students’ experience rather than the new snarls or the bunched wrinkles in her dress from picking up child after child.

Finally, Aoife makes her way over to Summer, and she does the same thing. Summer points to a close Rockhopper penguin and they both giggle while Summer ruffles Aoife’s hair giving her a bed head-like style to mimic the bird.

A knot I can’t swallow lodges in my throat. Then, laughing, Summer throws her head to the side, gaze snagging mine. Heat rises from a hollow pit in my stomach to my cheeks and warmth floods them. She’s breathtaking. The way she effortlessly seems to connect with Aoife—it’s like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

I look away. I have never felt embarrassed before. I take what I want. I observe without shame, but … what just happened to me?

Rick leads us on, and we come to a tank full of vibrant colored fish all swimming around an equally colorful coral reef. Though there are names posted of all the different species, Rick reads them aloud. The kids run around, pointing to the funny-looking fish, and several of the boys make faces at the tank. The only one paying attention to Rick is Summer, and by default me because I’m paying attention to her.

She notices my stare and marches over. Looking up at me, she asks, “Having fun yet?”

I hiss out a contemplative sound. “I mean, me yacht is only half a mile from here, so I’m pretty tempted to snatch a penguin and make a run for it.”

“Hilarious,” she deadpans.

I grin, then gently knock her body with mine. We stand there for several seconds watching the fish, though, I’m distracted by Aoife pressed against the glass, enraptured. “I don’t get to do this much, spend time with Aoife. Her mother left when she was two days old, and I …”

Damn it. I can’t finish that sentence.

Where did that come from? I don’t meet her gaze, though I can feel her looking at me. Mentally, I chide myself for this unnatural need to confide in a woman I don’t know, and I’ve basically admitted what she already suspects, but I clear my throat, kicking at the speckled floor.

“You’re here now. That counts, Kieran.”

Then she moves away. Back over to Rick and the kids as they play some counting fish game. I stare at her as she waves her arms in the air to the beat with the kids. Bleeding hell, she’s beautiful.

It takes another hour to move through the jellyfish, sea lions, and sea turtles. I do my part being the caboose of the group and keep any stragglers from falling behind. I take a handful of boys to the bathroom multiple times, and by the time we hit the spiral ramp to look at the enormous ocean tank, I’m drained.

Not Summer. She’s still as upbeat as ever, and I wonder how she chose such a selfless job. Her parents must’ve raised her right.

Thankfully, we’ve made it to lunchtime, and all the Ardenbrook students move to the café for sandwiches and pizzas. Every student brought money for lunch, so all the teachers and parent helpers help children order and pay. When it’s Aoife’s turn, I step in, and she orders a turkey sandwich while I order a pizza.

Noticing Summer hasn’t ordered yet, I ask, “What do ye want?”

“Oh, I’ll get it. Thanks though.” She hands a girl I’ve learned to be Lucy a drink.

“Ye’re holding up Shelly. Tell me what ye’d like.” I wink at Shelly just as she’s about to shake her head to indicate she’s fine waiting. Instead, she giggles.

Summer sighs. “I bet you think all the girls around here are falling for your rugged charm, don’t you?”

“Clearly not all of them,” I mumble under my breath, then add, “Probably just the ones who can’t resist a good challenge.”

Summer rolls her eyes. “I’ll have a salad and lemonade.”

The young girl behind the counter nods and adds it to my order.