Free Love and Mistletoe by Zara Keane

her wrist, relishing the feel of her pulse quickening under his lips. “Your wish is my command.”

Chapter Nine
    THE NEXT FEW WEEKS PASSED IN A BLUR. Between work, university, and Brian, Sharon succeeded in avoiding the farm—and her father—as much as possible. A few people in Ballybeg still threw her and Brian quizzical looks, but for the most part, they were left in peace.
    On the Wednesday before the Christmas bazaar, Sharon was on a high after sitting the last exam of the semester. She and Brian had handed in their joint research paper on Monday, and she had a giddy feeling they’d nailed it.
    Naomi was sitting at one of the tables in the small café in the Book Mark, sipping a cappuccino while Bridie and Sharon gift-wrapped a mountain of books.
    She and Naomi had practiced making their wares and had a nice stockpile of divine-smelling bath products to sell on Saturday.
    “I still can’t believe you’re going out with Brian Glenn.” Naomi shook her head in wonder, making her beads jangle. “It’s been, what, six weeks? That must be a record for you.”
    “More like nine.” Sharon added a red bow to the book she was wrapping and reached for the scissors. “He’s a man, I’m a woman. We like each other. End of story.”
More than liked.
She was in serious danger of falling in love with Brian Glenn. Assuming she wasn’t already…
    “Because he’s a cop and you’re…” Naomi trailed off, meeting Sharon’s hard stare.
    “A MacCarthy?” Sharon ripped the edge of the scissors against the ribbon to make it curl. “Oh, for feck’s sake. Ruairí’s a MacCarthy too, and no one ever assumes he’s up to anything dodgy. I’m sick of people judging me because my father’s an arse and my eldest brother is in prison. It’s not fair. The rest of us aren’t in trouble with the police.”
    “Not anymore, you mean,” Naomi added with a grin, making Bridie snort with laughter.
    “Fine.” Sharon threw her arms up in a gesture of admission. “So I haven’t always taken the law very seriously. But I’m older now and wiser and more aware of the consequences.”
    “Careful you don’t turn into a paragon of virtue,” Bridie said with a chuckle. “We wouldn’t recognize you.”
    “I don’t think I want to be friends with a paragon of anything,” Naomi added with a shudder.
    Sharon gave a bark of laughter. “I don’t think there’s
any
danger of that.”
    Her friend drained her cup and brought it to the counter. “What’s the Batcave like?” she asked. “You were always keen to get a look inside.”
    “It’s nice. He’s into colorful deco and comfy furniture. I wasn’t expecting that. I was sure he’d go for the minimalist look.”
    “I can’t see you living in a minimalist environment,” Naomi said slyly.
    “Hey, Nomes. Don’t jump the gun. We’ve only started going out. I’m not planning to move in with him yet.”
    “Ah, just wait. I predict a proposal under the mistletoe.”
    “Don’t be daft. I don’t want to get married at my age, and Brian’s only twenty-five.”
    “Well, a kiss, then,” Naomi amended. “At least one of us will see some action under the mistletoe this festive season… unless Bridie’s planning to ambush the Major at the Christmas bazaar.”
    “I don’t need to ambush him,” Bridie said primly, “because I already have. I told him I was making an honest man out of him this New Year, and Major Johnson had the good sense to agree.”
    “What?” Sharon clapped in delight and let out a whoop. “You’re marrying the Major? That’s wonderful news.”
    An amused smirk lurked on Bridie’s lips. “He and Jasper need looking after. I figure I’m the woman for the job.”
    “Jasper?” Naomi glanced at Sharon for guidance.
    “The Major’s Cavalier King Charles spaniel.” Sharon stepped forward and gave her boss a hug. “I’m thrilled for you, Bridie. Congratulations.”
    “You’re both invited to the reception, of course,” her boss said.