Free Luck of the Irish: Complete Edition by Liz Gavin

large tray. She settled the food in front of Keira with a smile.
    “Enjoy, dear. I’ll bring the rest as soon as you finish.”
    “It smells so good,” she replied, taking a slice of bread from the basket and spreading butter on it. “Thank you, Sylvia.”
    “My pleasure.”
    Keira thought she wouldn’t eat anything, because her throat was so tight, but she ended up devouring the meal. Everything was delicious. She hadn’t had such good food, probably, since she had left her parents’ home for college. When she had eaten the last crumbs from the generous slice of chocolate cake that Sylvia had served as dessert, Keira smiled and pushed the plate away.
    “Thank you, Sylvia. That was the best meal I’ve had in a very long time. I need to watch my weight around here.”
    “Thank you, dear,” Sylvia replied, as she took the dirty tableware away. “Don’t worry about getting fat, though, you’re so skinny.”
    “Nevertheless, I’d like to take a walk around to burn some calories.”
    “Walking around is a good idea. This area is very beautiful. Enjoy.”
     
     
     
    Keira explored the extensive property with its gardens, hills, a beautiful orchard and some small farm animals scattered on the fields and over the hills. She thought the one-hour walk would help take her mind off Declan. It didn’t. She went back to her room to search online for a local travel agency. There were many options in that area and, acting on an impulse, Keira chose a more adventurous agency that offered a rock climbing and rappelling package.
    I hope the adrenalin gets my good mood back so I can enjoy my vacation better.
     
     
     
    She spent the following day, alongside a small group of people who had booked the same tours, hanging from ropes and conquering steep climbs. When she got back to the inn, she was exhausted, but proud of herself. She took a long bath to relax her sore muscles before going down to have dinner.
    “Did you have a nice time today, my dear?”
    “Oh, it was the best, Sylvia. I went rock climbing and rappelling. I met a bunch of interesting people, too.”
    “Any particular lad worth mentioning?”
    Keira blushed before lowering her eyes to her plate, “I don’t know about that.”
    “Oh, so you have a boyfriend. What happened? Did he get cold feet at the last minute? He shouldn’t have left a beautiful woman traveling alone through a foreign country.”
    “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
    “Then, that’s a shame. I hope the Irish men can change that for you,” Sylvia said, winking. “They are very talented, you know.”
    Keira’s face turned a deeper shade of red and she offered the other woman a shy smile before Sylvia turned away and went back to the kitchen, laughing.
    “She is so nice that I can’t be angry at her. Besides, why do I have to be so shy?”
    Keira finished the meal in record time and returned to her room before the other guests showed up for dinner.
     
     
     
    Her cell phone rang, as she entered her room, and she answered it without checking the number; which was a mistake, she realized, when she heard Declan’s voice.
    “Hey, gorgeous. I haven’t heard from you since you left Dublin. Are you all right?”
    She hesitated and considered hanging up but her natural good manners didn’t allow her to be so rude. She took a deep breath, “I’m fine, thanks,” she sounded cold even to her own ears.
    “Ouch! What happened, Keira? You didn’t answer my text or returned my calls. You sound colder than the Arctic. Why is that? Are you having second thoughts about us?”
    She considered his question for a brief while and decided it gave her the perfect opportunity to avoid future heartache, “To be honest, Declan, I’m not having second thoughts. I’m not in doubt at all,” she paused for when she heard his sigh of relief and a sly smile played on her lips as she continued. “Actually, I’m sure this is not going to work. It was a huge mistake on my part. I’m sure you can