Beneath an Irish Sky (Choc Lit) Read Online Free PDF

were a few personal items but little else.’
    ‘So?’
    ‘It seems they left in a hurry. Didn’t even pack clothes. I wonder why.’
    Jack sighed. ‘You’re asking me to guess the motives of a woman I haven’t seen in more than twenty years. Well, I can’t. Luke’s the one who has all the answers, and he’s not talking.’
    ‘Not yet.’
    Not ever, probably.
    ‘There was no definite plan according to Luke. No job, nowhere to live.’
    ‘I’ll give him money,’ said Jack. ‘I’ll make sure he’s not homeless.’
    ‘I see.’ There was clear disapproval in Emer’s voice.
    ‘What’s wrong with that?’ he asked. ‘It’s probably more than anyone else would do for him.’
    ‘Yes, I’m sure,’ Emer agreed. ‘But money isn’t always the answer.’
    In Jack’s experience, it usually was. It bought comfort, security, opportunities. What more did people want? ‘Emer, even if he is my son, he hates me. I’ll do everything I can for him, but I’m not a miracle worker. I can’t change the past.’
    ‘You could take him home with you. At least for a few weeks until he’s fully recovered. It’ll be hard for him to manage on his own.’
    He wished she hadn’t suggested that. It was ridiculously out of touch with reality. Luke couldn’t even bear to be in the same room as him. There was nothing to build on. No prospect of even liking each other, let alone the love a father and son should share. ‘How would I explain to everyone back home who he is? Introduce him as my maybe-son?’
    ‘I’m sure you could find a way to deal with that.’
    Jack was silent, mulling it over.
    ‘Are you ashamed of him?’ asked Emer.
    ‘No!’ He was insulted she’d even asked. ‘I’m not a bigot. I married a Traveller, didn’t I? It’s just … Luke’s so angry. And hard. I don’t even know if I can feel anything for him. It wouldn’t be fair to give him expectations.’
    ‘I doubt very much he’s hard. Give him the benefit of the doubt. Try to get to know him – and let him get to know you. Show you’re making an effort. You still need answers. If you get closer to Luke, break down those barriers, he might tell you everything Annie told him.’
    ‘Maybe …’
    The phone rang, and Emer answered it. ‘Okay, I’ll be there soon.’ She replaced the receiver. ‘Sorry, Jack. I have to see a patient.’
    ‘Are you free later for a drink?’ Jack asked. ‘Talking to you really helps.’ The prospect of another evening spent alone in his hotel room was depressing. He’d only brood and rake over the past.
    She held up the in-tray. ‘Alas, I’ll have to spend the evening with all this paperwork.’
    ‘Lunch tomorrow?’ God, he sounded desperate.
    ‘I usually grab a sandwich in the hospital canteen around one o’clock.’
    Jack smiled. ‘I might see you then.’
    At the door, he glanced back, appraising Emer this time as a woman rather than a counsellor. He liked what he saw, especially the long red curls. He noticed the light sprinkling of freckles on her nose, and her mouth had an enticingly full lower lip. She thankfully wasn’t thin as a rake; the blue dress she wore showed curves in all the right places – and enough of her long legs to set a man’s imagination alight. No ‘might’ about it. Jack would be in the hospital canteen tomorrow for sure.
    Emer leaned against the kitchen counter and watched the tuna casserole begin its solo circular dance inside the microwave. It was a godsend to have a sister living close by. Maeve kept Emer supplied with all her favourite home-cooked meals, believing a single woman who worked for the health service would have no time to shop or cook for herself.
    She wasn’t far wrong. The hours as a counsellor could be punishing and the irregularity made a personal life tricky. Emer glanced at the fridge, singling out the photo of her and Colm on holiday in Rome last year. She really should take the picture down. Their five years together were well and truly