Page 44 of The Widow’s Irish Secret (Magnolia Manor #4)

Exactly a year later, Tricia held her fourth grandchild in her arms. Rose had given birth to a son who they would call Fred. Tricia had rushed to Tralee hospital as soon as she heard the news.

‘He’s beautiful,’ Tricia said and touched the baby’s head covered in soft reddish down. ‘So like his grandfather already.’

‘He’ll have red hair like Vi and Dad,’ Rose said from the bed. ‘Isn’t that wonderful?’

‘Yes.’ Tricia looked into the baby’s blue eyes. ‘Hello, little Fred,’ she said softly.

‘Fred Wolfgang Quinn,’ Rose said with a giggle. ‘Such a mouthful, but there was no getting away from it. Noel’s real first name is Wolfgang and he insisted.’

‘A noble name,’ Tricia said, not taking her eyes away from the baby. She breathed in the lovely scent of baby powder, milk and soap. ‘He’ll be tall and handsome like his father. And good at maths like his mother. Such a lucky little chap.’

The baby whimpered and squirmed in Tricia’s arms.

Rose held out her arms. ‘Here. Give him back to me. He’s hungry again.’

Tricia carried the baby carefully over to the bed. ‘Here you go, little Fred. Back to Mummy for a good feed.’

Rose put the baby to her breast. ‘Where is Cillian? Gone off again to some far-flung place to dig up the past?’

‘Not so far-flung at all,’ Tricia replied. ‘Just to Roscommon where there is a Viking grave. He’ll be back at the weekend.’

‘How is it working out?’ Rose asked over her baby’s head. ‘The on-again-off-again arrangement you have, I mean.’

‘It’s perfect for us,’ Tricia replied. ‘Believe it or not, I’m really happy.

I get to have my own space, my own life and then these lovely times with a man who makes my heart sing every time he comes back.

It suits us both, you see. He has the freedom he needs and I get to spend time with my family when I want. ’

‘As long as you’re happy.’ Rose put her cheek against her son’s head. ‘We love being with you, too, you know. And we do like Cillian so much.’

‘I know. And he loves you all. It’s just that he isn’t cut out to be a dad and we have to accept that.’

‘He’s a very good friend, though,’ Rose said. ‘You always feel he’ll be there if he’s needed, wherever he is.’

‘He’s my rock,’ Tricia said. ‘Even if he’s absent from time to time.’

‘Maybe that’s the secret to keeping a man like him,’ Rose pondered. ‘Letting him go so he’ll want to come back. Weird, but wonderful at the same time.’

‘Ask Sylvia. It works for her and Arnaud,’ Tricia said. ‘Could be that when you’re older, this kind of relationship works best. Not leaning on each other but enjoying being together when we want.’

‘You’re getting more and more like Granny,’ Rose said. ‘Even though you’re not related.’

‘But we’re alike in our personalities,’ Tricia remarked. ‘That’s why we clash from time to time.’

‘Fleury girls to the core,’ Rose said. ‘If not by blood, by spirit.’

‘You said it.’ Tricia went over and kissed Rose on the cheek. ‘I’ll be off. I’m sure you both want to sleep.’

Rose smiled. ‘Yes, we do. I’m trying to get all the sleep I can before I have to go home and tackle being a mum of two. Sophie is looking forward to being the big sister, so she’ll be a big help.’

‘She will. It’s surprising how helpful a five-year-old can be. Especially a girl.’ Tricia gathered up her bag and her phone. ‘I’m only a phone call away if you need me.’

‘I know, Mum. It’s great to know I can count on you.’

‘Of course you can. Bye for now.’ Tricia smiled at her daughter and brand-new grandson as she slipped out of the room.

The campervan was parked outside the cottage when Tricia got home. Cillian was home earlier than she had expected. She pulled up, jumped out of the car, ran to the front door and flung it open as soon as she got there. ‘Cillian,’ she called. ‘I’m home. Where are you?’

‘In the kitchen,’ Cillian’s voice replied. ‘I’m cooking up a storm here. How’s the new member of the family?’

‘The most beautiful baby in the world,’ Tricia replied as she walked into the kitchen, where she found the table set for two with candles, a red rose in a vase and a little box with a red ribbon by her place. There was a delicious smell of something cooking in red wine and herbs.

‘Sit down,’ he urged and pulled out a chair.

Tricia sat down. ‘What’s this?’ she asked, touching the little box.

‘Open it and find out,’ Cillian said.

Tricia undid the red ribbon and opened the box. She gasped as she saw the Claddagh ring set with tiny diamonds. ‘Oh, Cillian, how beautiful. But it’s not my birthday or anything.’

‘It’s my way of saying I love you,’ he said, standing beside her. ‘And it’s not exactly an engagement ring either as you said you didn’t want that. It’s just a ring that means you’re mine and I’m yours, that’s all.’

‘What a lovely thought.’ Tricia put the ring on the ring finger of her right hand, the bottom tip of the heart pointing inward. ‘I think this is the way to wear it if you’re in a relationship.’

‘That’s right. In love but not married.’ Cillian pulled Tricia to her feet. ‘I thought that was the right thing for us to be. Together but apart from time to time. But always with each other in our minds and hearts wherever we are. Does that sound good to you?’

Tricia looked into his kind and earnest hazel eyes. ‘Perfect,’ she whispered.