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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

NIALL

I walked Anna to the desk, smiling at her, hoping to relieve some of her nerves.

She was dressed in the hotel uniform, the colors suiting her.

She had chosen the slim black pants and long-sleeved blouse with a waistcoat.

She still got chilled easily, so she carried a heavy sweater with her, the cream of it setting off the blue and green of the tartan on her outfit.

Una was waiting with George, and the lobby was quiet, the guests mostly still asleep or at breakfast.

I tapped Anna’s wrist as I leaned down, my lips close to her ear. “Right here, mo mhuirnín . Right here.”

She nodded and walked away, greeting George and Una. Una glanced my way and tilted her chin as if reassuring me. I headed to the elevator, fighting the urge to stay and be close to Anna. In some ways, this was as hard for me as it was for her.

In the office, Finn waited, handing me a coffee.

He’d set up the monitors so the middle ones formed a larger picture, zoomed in on the front desk.

He didn’t tease or make any comments since he knew exactly how I was feeling.

I drank my coffee, and we started on our usual day, focusing on numbers and reports.

Tasks to be done, areas needing visits. Shipments.

As the morning progressed, my shoulders loosened. Every time I looked up, Anna was smiling. Greeting customers as if she’d been there all her life. She and Una were often side by side, their heads pressed together as Una showed her something. I saw high fives and laughter.

“She’s a natural,” Finn observed, watching her with a guest. “Una texted me and said she caught on to the system right away. She’s doing check-ins and -outs herself already.”

“She’s intelligent.”

A woman walked up to the desk, talking to the girls. I studied her. “Is she a problem?”

He shook his head. “Overly friendly, from what Una says. She finds her a little pushy at times.”

“Anna hasn’t said much about her, except she invited her to lunch more than once.”

“I gather she sees them most days and chats.”

“Ah.” I looked at the screen. The woman was leaving, waving to the girls.

I tapped the screen, following her. She walked out of the hotel and slid into the back seat of a dark sedan.

I switched cameras, focusing on the driver.

He was broad and wore a jacket. From what I could tell, he was dark-haired with a heavy beard.

Glasses. He said something to his passenger and drove off. There was nothing amiss or suspicious.

“Maybe the chatting will stop now that they are working.”

Finn nodded, frowning over a set of numbers. Then he flipped the screen and rubbed his eyes. “Roman and Luca want to meet to talk about a few things.”

“When?”

“Friday.”

“Okay. Anything in particular?”

“Just an update, I think. It’s been a while since we talked about the regular things.” He stood and clapped me on the shoulder. “It’ll feel good to be back to normal. I’m starving. Let’s get a sandwich.”

I glanced at the screen one more time. “Sure.”

ANNA

Una was a good teacher, and I caught on to the system easily.

I observed her and George handle some checkouts and an early arriving guest, and then I stepped in and soon felt comfortable.

George went into the office to do some reports, and Una showed me the phone system, how to print reports.

She also did some work at the concierge area, leaving me alone at the front desk, and I was proud of myself for remaining calm and handling a few guests on my own.

More than once, I glanced at the camera pointed my way, feeling better knowing that Niall was probably watching me.

“Hi!” the familiar singsong voice greeted me.

I glanced up from the manual I was studying, meeting Heidi’s eyes.

“Hi,” I replied.

“How’s your day going?”

“Good. Yours?”

Una came back, smiling at her. “Hello, Heidi.”

She grinned at Una. “Our offer was accepted, so we got the condo.” She smiled. “You’ll be rid of me soon.”

“I’m happy for you,” I murmured, while Una offered her congrats.

“Any chance of an early lunch?”

I shook my head. “We only get half an hour,” I fibbed. I simply couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the hotel for lunch and a walk later. It was simply too much.

A strange look crossed her face, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of anger, but she only shrugged. “Okay. I’m going to grab something and head to the lawyer to sign some paperwork.”

She waved as she walked away. Una looked at me. “We get an hour.”

“I know. It was too much today, and besides, you don’t like her.”

“I don’t dislike her. I don’t know her.”

I shrugged. “Tea and a sandwich by the fire is what I want.”

“Oh, me too.”

“Can we go together?”

“Yes. George and William help each other. Then you and I will do the same.”

“Okay.”

We finished at the front desk and went upstairs and changed. I tugged on my sleeves, trying to fight down my nerves. Niall would be there. So would Finn. No doubt a couple of men behind them. Or in front.

Maybe both.

I shook my head at my nerves. Juan was dead. I was safe.

I simply needed my imagination to remember those facts.

Niall came in, offering me a smile. He cupped my face and kissed me. “I hear you were a star today.”

I smiled and nestled into his chest. “You always smell so good.”

He laughed. “Are you trying to distract me?”

“No, just saying you smell good.” It was true. He wore a cologne that had hints of fresh-cut grass and citrus—it was clean and rich and suited him.

He smiled and kissed me again. “Was it okay?”

“It was good.”

“Ready for the next part?”

I paused. He leaned down, pulling a face. “A short walk. Then, I’ll buy coffee. The fancy, foamy shite you like.”

I started to laugh.

I pressed a kiss to his mouth. “ Eegit .”

He laughed. “Ah, the Irish is taking hold. I’ll dose you up again later.”

I moved away. “You’ll have to catch me first.”

His eyes gleamed. “Challenge accepted.”

Niall’s hand tightened on mine as we stepped out of the hotel. It was a nice day, although a bit cool. Perfect for a walk. I felt a tremor run through me as I stepped off the curb and crossed the street. Finn and Una were in front of us, their fingers entwined, walking at a good pace.

I drew in a deep breath as we entered the park.

The air felt good on my face, crisp as I took it in.

My hand was warm in Niall’s. Around me were the sounds of nature.

Birds chirping, the leaves rustling in the breeze.

I could hear the muted noises of traffic around the park, but as we walked, it became more distant.

I felt my shoulders relaxing, my tension easing away.

I was outside. I had always loved the outdoors, growing up the way I did, surrounded by nature. Working daily in the campground. I had forgotten how much I missed it.

Niall looked down at me. “All right, then?”

I beamed up at him, hugging his arm. “Great.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist, tugging me close. “Great,” he repeated.

We stopped for coffee, Una and I waiting at the table. I wasn’t anxious or nervous, which surprised me, except I could see Tom not far away, and Niall was only steps from my vision.

“This is good,” I said to Una.

“It is.” She squeezed my fingers. “You have color in your cheeks, and your eyes are happy. I like seeing that.”

“I forgot how much I like it outside.”

“I’ll help you remember.”

“You’re a good friend, Una.”

“Back at you.”

Niall sat beside me, sliding a coffee my way. “I added a shot of caramel.”

I sipped it, enjoying the sweet treat.

We talked about the wedding, their trip, and their plans after. I knew they were staying in the hotel for the time being, and Una planned on learning even more about the business.

“What about after?” I asked.

“After?” she said.

“When it’s time for kids. I know you said you wanted a family. Will you live in the hotel?”

Finn answered. “No. When we’re ready, Una can have the house of her dreams.” He paused. “Or the hotel of her dreams. I’ll stay home and look after the wee ones.”

She stared at him. “What?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you want, Una. If you’re happy, I’m happy. You’ve always wanted your own hotel. If you still do, I’ll make it happen.”

She frowned. “And O’Reilly’s?”

He looked at Niall. “I know the man to run it.”

Niall stiffened beside me.

“Your, ah…” Una hesitated.

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “One day, we’ll discuss all of it. What to leave, what to keep. What works with our life. Like Roman and Luca, there will come a day when we want to walk. To have a different life.”

She gazed up at him. “Really?” she whispered.

“For you. For us. Really .”

She buried her face in his chest, and he pressed a kiss to her head. I felt as if I had just witnessed an incredibly intimate promise between them. Niall tucked me closer, not saying anything, but I could sense his shock at Finn’s words.

After a while, we got up and strolled back to the hotel. There was no rush, no great speed. We stopped on a footbridge, gazing into the water. Finn and Niall were looking up, discussing a huge nest in a tree, and I sidled up beside Una.

“Wow,” I whispered.

She gazed back at me. “Wow is right.”

“Did you know he was thinking that way?”

“Not a clue.” Her gaze skittered toward the men. “Neither, I think, did Niall.”

“You caught that too.” I paused. “They need to talk.”

“They will. They always do, in their own time. They have great respect for each other.”

I nodded.

I had a feeling I needed to talk to Niall.

But we had to be alone.

I was already used to Niall and his comings and goings.

I knew my life would never consist of a businessman leaving at eight and coming home at six.

The suite always felt empty when he was gone, but I was comforted by the fact that he was in the building handling something.

He had promised me to always let me know if he was doing anything else, and I trusted him to keep that promise.