Irish Meadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

Long Island. The sheer joy of being with the magnificent animals and working with Sam under the clear spring skies gave Gil a feeling of freedom he seldom experienced. He stopped for a moment to gaze out over the pastures of green meadows, and a renewed sense of purpose filled his chest. One day, he would make the Whelan name a success in this great country and fulfill his late father’s dreams. The familiar twist of guilt hit Gil’s stomach. Because of Gil, John Whelan had died before seeing his dream realized. If it took Gil’s last breath and his last dime, he would achieve it for him.
    â€œReady for something to eat?”
    Bree’s voice brought him crashing back to reality. She stood beside him, smiling, a large picnic basket looped over the crook of her arm. At the mention of food, his stomach growled.
    â€œI could eat. What did you have in mind?”
    â€œA picnic. So we can catch up like you suggested.” The slight tremor in her voice gave away her uncertainty. “I thought we could sit under the willow by the back pond. It should be shady enough there.”
    His gut warned him to avoid being alone with her, but at the vulnerable look in her eyes, he couldn’t refuse. “Let me wash up and meet you there.”
    By the time he’d rinsed the dust off his hands and face and made his way across the back pasture to the small pond where they’d loved to swim as kids, Brianna had unfolded a red-plaid blanket under the tree and spread out the contents of the basket.
    â€œThat’s quite a feast. Did you have to bribe Mrs. Harrison for all this?”
    She chuckled. “Of course not. For you, she’d have come out here and served it herself.”
    He sat on the far edge of the blanket, careful to keep as much distance as possible between them. A breeze off the water teased the tendrils of her hair, now swept up on top of her head. She removed the cloth from the sandwiches and handed him one.
    â€œHow does it feel to be home?” she asked.
    He took a large bite of the roast-beef-and-cheese sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “Familiar and strange at the same time.”
    â€œI know what you mean. It’s as though time stood still around us, but we’ve grown up.”
    â€œExactly.” He reached for a Mason jar and opened the lid. The strong citrus smell of lemonade made his eyes water.
    Brianna handed him two cups, and he poured them both some of the pale liquid. Her hands trembled slightly as she grasped her cup. Was it the unfamiliarity of being together again thatmade her nervous? Or was something more going on in that head of hers?
    â€œSo how are you really, Bree?”
    She blinked as though surprised by the question. “I’m fine.”
    Funny, she didn’t seem fine. His usually relaxed Bree seemed as high strung as a mare cornered by a stallion.
    â€œWhat do you do for fun when you’re not studying?”
    She laid her half-eaten sandwich on the napkin in her lap and shrugged. “I spend time with the horses on the weekends, unless we’re entertaining company.”
    He frowned. “What about friends?” He hesitated as the next word stuck in his throat. “Or suitors?”
    Her glance slid away. “There are no suitors yet, though I’m sure Daddy has plans to remedy that. I still see a lot of Rebecca Nolan. And church activities keep me busy.”
    Her tone sounded wistful, matching the sadness that lurked in her wide eyes.
    â€œWhy don’t you seem happy, then? Is it your father?”
    She didn’t answer, only fiddled with the fringe of the blanket.
    â€œBree, you used to confide in me. You still can, you know.”
    When she finally looked at him, turbulent emotion made her eyes as vivid green as the waving grass around them. “All Daddy cares about is money. As soon as I graduate, he expects me to marry well and make him proud. But I don’t want to get married—not yet