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“She loved gardening as much as she loved music,” I said wistfully.

“That she did. I wanted to let it all go, let it die, but she’d have never forgiven me. This is all for her. I couldn’t let it die because she did.”

I touched his shoulder, letting him know I understood, but it wasn’t enough, and I hugged him tight. His arms wound around my waist, his chest heaving.

Even now, her loss to him was like it had happened yesterday.

He pulled back and wiped at his eyes. “Don’t let love pass you by, son. Grab it with both hands and don’t let go. Love that man of yours.”

CHAPTER TEN

FRANKIE

This house was impressive. I’d never seen anything like it in my life. Every place I’d ever lived in was on a housing estate with no garden and definitely no downstairs loo.

Growing up in a house like this must have been wonderful, and I envied Mac. Not just the house, but his loving family. Okay, Fergus seemed a bit of a dick, but other than him, everyone had been welcoming and kind.

Tempted as I was to investigate, I headed out into the garden, but Mac was nowhere to be found. I wasn’t worried. I knew he wouldn’t leave without me.

A voice from behind startled me. “He’s up by the rose garden with Dad. I’m sure he won’t be long.”

I turned to see Mac’s older sister, Aileen, behind me. “Thanks, I’ll sit and wait for him.” She sat next to me and crossed her legs, a glass of wine in her hand.

Unlike the others, it was hard to see the resemblance, her hair almost red, eyes a brilliant blue.

“You played beautifully today, and well done you for standing up to Fergus. He can be such an arse when he wants to be, but his bark is worse than his bite.”

I looked over to where he was playing with his kids and could see that. He’d never met me before, and for all he knew, I could have been pulling the wool over their eyes and telling lies about my ability.

But Mac trusted me, and that was all that mattered to me.

I smiled at the kiss we shared. Unexpected, but not unwelcome. When could we do it again?

It was nothing like the other kisses I’d had. Most of those were with guys who didn’t know what they were doing, but kissing Mac was a whole new experience.

“He likes you, you know.” I’d been so wrapped up in my thoughts, I’d forgotten Aileen was still sitting next to me.

“Who? Fergus? He doesn’t know me.”

“No, silly. Mac likes you. I saw it in the way he looked at you when you were playing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like that before. You won’t break his heart, will you?”

“We’re not really dating. We’re just friends,” I insisted.

“You keep telling yourself that, but we all saw it. I’m sure you’ll be here again.” She looked away from me at the sound of footsteps on the gravel. “Mac, we were just talking about you.”

“All good, I hope.” Mac’s grin was wide. “You ready to go, Frankie? You need to get back for your gran, don’t you?”

Did I? I hadn’t said anything about that, but I assumed that was his excuse for our leaving early. He’d told me on the way that the gatherings often lasted late into the night. I didn’t want to drag him away, but as I suspected, I was out of my depth.

“Um, yes. She’ll be waiting for me.” I smiled at Aileen. “It was lovely to meet you, and thank you for having me.”

Mac’s dad approached with a plate wrapped in foil. “I put a few things on a plate for you to take with you. Eat it before Mac gets his hands on it, or there’ll be nothing left.”

I took it from him and, after saying goodbye to everyone, we headed back to the car.

“Do you really want to go back to your gran’s, or we could stop off at my place? It’s on the way.”

“Let’s stop off at yours. We can eat these leftovers.”