Catch Me a Catch Read Online Free PDF Page B

pumped Jack’s captured hand vigorously. “You’re
welcome to our house.”
    “Thank you.”
So this was the stranger. Not some boyfriend. He’d got it totally wrong. What
was worse, Annie knew it. He ran his hand though his hair. “I think I heard you
in the garden earlier.”
    “That would be
right. I was getting a progress report from Annie. I can’t stand not being in
the thick of things with the festival being on, but the doctor’s a tyrant.” He
leant closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “I’ve known him since he was
a pup. I introduced his parents, but that doesn’t get me any respect
apparently. I have to take it easy until my chest improves. Maeve here has me
more or less confined to bed. Normally I wouldn’t mind it too much, but with
the festival being on…”
    “Potatoes,
Da?”
    Bull helped
himself from the bowl Annie held.
    “So that’s why
Annie is up in the pub, on the matchmaker’s chair.” Jack said.
    “She’s the
next matchmaker. Or will be when I finally give it up.”
    Jack glanced
at Annie. Surely, her family could see the look of dread flickering over her
expressive face?
    “That won’t be
for years, Da.” She surreptitiously crossed the fingers of her right hand, and
ate with her left.
    “Tell us about
yourself, Jack.” Maeve’s clear green gaze fastened to his like the guidance
system of a heat-seeking missile.
    “I’ve just
sailed the Atlantic.”
    Annie gasped.
    “And you came
all this way for the festival?” Maeve’s eyebrows shot toward her hairline.
Annie was going to be mad, but now was the time to come clean. Jack began to
understand what people meant when they wished for the floor to open up and
swallow them as three pairs of eyes swiveled his direction. He sipped some water
to clear the tightness in his throat. Here goes . He put his fork down,
clenching his napkin under the table and turned to Annie’s steady chestnut
gaze.
    “No I didn’t.”
Her eyes widened, and her rosebud mouth gaped. “Unfortunately Annie misunderstood.”
    “You came into
the Maiden’s Arms and asked for Devine,” Annie interrupted. “I heard you.”
    “My yacht got
struck by lightning. I had to make an emergency stop. When I came ashore, I saw
the sign for the Chandlers. It was closed and I was directed to the pub. That’s
why…”
    “That’s why
you were looking for Devine. You wanted Uncle Sean.” She glared across the
table. “You could have just told me. Not let me go on about how you were a good
looking man, and all.” A reddening flush swept her features and her fingers
clenched into fists.
    “I did try and
tell you matching me was never going to happen.”
    She wasn’t
going to forgive him. Her jaw was set in a stubborn line.
    “Ah well, no
harm done,” Maeve said briskly. “Eat up now before it gets cold.” The only
coldness was the glacial draft blowing his direction from across the table.
“Sean tells me you’ve fried everything, right enough. He says you won’t be
moving on for a few days yet.”
    He stared at
Maeve in surprise. Annie’s mother had obviously done her research, and knew his
stay in Durna was more impulsive than planned.
    “So, Bull. Did
Annie find you any good prospects for the book?” Maeve winked at him. He puffed
out a breath as the tension left his body.
    “She got a
good few, okay, although we’ll have to take Jack out.” Bull shoveled in another
mouthful. “But she’s having problems with some of the men.”
    “Ah, the old
ones. They’re used to talking to a man.” Maeve said.
    “The young
ones too, Mum.” Annie replied. “I’ve heard chat up lines today you wouldn’t
believe.”
    “Do you come
here often?”
    Her lips
softened into a smile at his comment. A wave of relief flooded him as the
tension between them eased.
    “I heard it a
couple of times, along with ‘Heaven must be missing an angel…’”
    “Because
you’re here with me, right now.” Their eyes met and her soft lips parted
slightly.