“You make deliveries to Castlebrook often?” he asked.
She shook her head. “This be me first one.”
“And most likely your last.” He added, as they both chuckled.
She watched as the sun set over the edge of the cliff, the green hills vibrant and reflecting the sun’s rays as if it were the ocean. The breeze rippled waves across the blades as if echoing her thoughts and Sidna inhaled a deep breath of the fresh air. She aimed to hold this memory close. The smell of it. The feel of it. The look of it. She studied Claron as he watched the sun’s descent as well. How was it she’d only known him a few hours, but yet felt as if she’d known him years? ‘Twas an odd feeling, really. And one, she wasn’t quite ready to let go of when Mr. O’Rifcan emerged from the house.
“Best get you home, lass. Yer Mammy might be wondering where you’ve run off to.” He grinned. Sidna reached for the tray. “Leave it, lass. Aibreen will fetch it.” Mr. O’Rifcan placed a hat upon his head and began walking towards the car.
Claron stood. “I thank you, Sidna, for yer help today.”
“Aye, I believe you should.”
He grinned as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and all of a sudden appeared shy. She melted at the sight. Heart pounding, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. In surprise, his green eyes darted up from his feet to meet hers. “‘Twas a fun surprise to meet you, Claron O’Rifcan. If you ever find yourself in Limerick, I hope you’ll come to find me.” His father tooted the horn, and Sidna skipped down the steps of the porch. She offered one final wave as she slipped into the car and left.
∼
“Distracted, boyo?” his father asked, as he nudged Claron’s shoulder in passing. Claron continued his sweeping as he helped his da scrape the lot at the end of a long day.
“Da?” he asked.
“Aye?”
“What do you think of Limerick?”
Aodhán paused pumping the bucket full of water and eyed his son. “Thinking of traveling to the city, are we now?”
Claron shrugged causing Aodhán to flash a knowing smile. “This wouldn’t have to do with a pretty lass, now would it?”
His son’s cheeks turned a discerning shade of pink.
“Many a man my age travel to the city on weekends to see the local talent.”
“Talent? Aye. Pretty lasses around every corner in Limerick. But ‘tis not lasses yer after, is it boyo? Or just one lass in particular?”
“I thought of calling upon Sidna, yes.”
“Son,” Aodhán placed a hand on his shoulder. “A lass like that be hard to find, but a lass like that enjoys her city living. ‘Twould be hard to impress a Limerick lass with this life.” He motioned towards the dairy farm.
“Not speaking of impressing, Da. Just visiting. As a friend.”
“Dat so, then? A friend?”
“Aye.” Claron’s tone turned annoyed and his father smirked.
“Then I suppose I’ve a mind to clean the rest of the lot by myself.” Aodhán said. “You clean up and take the car now. And flowers. Lasses love the flowers.”
Claron’s depressed state lifted as he beamed at his father. He slapped his da on the shoulders and hugged him before running up towards the house. Laughing, Aodhán shook his head as he watched his love lost son rush up the hill.
It wasn’t but a half hour later Claron found himself on the road to Limerick. His mam was quick to offer the Doyle home address in hopes her son would indeed be able to call upon Sidna. She’d prepared him for the worst, as had his da, but both believed in him enough to let him go. All he wanted was to see her again. One glimpse and perhaps a conversation. When he pulled along the footpath in front of the quaint two-story townhome, it was then he saw how different their lifestyles actually were. Her neighbors’ homes were attached to her own, and he couldn’t fathom having enough room to breathe in such a house. It didn’t matter. He knocked before his bravery vanished. And when a looming figure opened the door, he felt himself swallow and dread filled his stomach.
∼
“Who be at the door, Jaron?” a voice called from within.
“A lad.” The man crossed his arms over his broad chest. “May I help you?” he asked, his right brow ticking up into his hairline as it spotted the small bouquet of flowers in Claron’s sweaty hands.
“Evening, sir.”
Sidna’s ears perked at the sound of a young man’s voice outside. Her mother waved her back into her chair. “Probably one of your many suitors, dear. Your da will handle it.”
“Me name is Claron O’Rifcan, sir. From Castlebrook.”
“Aye now, Aodhán’s lad?”
“Yes. Sir. Aye.”
“And what brings you to me doorstep, Claron from Castlebrook?” Mr. Doyle shifted on his feet, his sternness never wavering as he eyed the young man in front of him.
“I was hoping to call upon yer daughter, sir. Sidna.”
“Sidna?” his brows rose. “Have you now?”
“Aye. If she will see me, that is.”
“And why’ve you come to call upon me daughter?”
Sidna leaned as far towards the door as she could to hear Claron’s response. The shock of him driving to Limerick had her stomach in butterflies, but her father was proving a formidable force at the front door.
Claron cleared his throat. “Well, sir… I fancy her. And to be honest I’ve been thinking of your daughter since the moment I met her. And if it’s alright by you, and her of course, I’ve picked her to be my wife. Now, I can wait. However long is proper or however long you wish, but I’ve a mind to marry her one day.”
Mr. Doyle’s posture relaxed, and he grinned at Claron. “Sounds like you’ve a plan, then. Sidna?” he called. “There be a lad at the door for you.”
Sidna tossed her knitting aside, no care for her yarns much to her mother’s dismay, as she hurried to the door. She smiled when she spotted Claron. He’d showered, shaved, and looked to be wearing what was sure to be his nicest shirt, but his shoes were worn and his pants a wee bit short for his figure. His smile, however, was radiant, and her heart pounded within her chest at the sight of him.
“This lad wishes to marry you, Sidna. What say you to that?” her da asked, amused at the boldness of the young man.
She soaked in the sight of Claron. Could she marry him? She’d only met him three days ago. Three days! Yet, her heart was battering against her ribs and the hopeful spark in his eye weakened her knees. “He’ll do, Da. He’ll do me just fine.”
Claron’s face broke into a relieved smile as he stepped towards her. He jolted to a halt and glanced at her father for permission. The man stepped aside and Claron plucked Sidna off her feet and twirled her around. “I’ve thought of you night and day.”
He settled her to her feet, and she gripped his arms, breathless as she looked up at him. “Aye, me too.”
“I only came to call upon you, but… me heart leapt into me mouth and ran away with me tongue. I hope you know, Sidna Doyle, that I aim to love you forever.” His eyes were sure. His words were riddled with nerves. But his heart, she placed her hand over his chest and felt the incessant pounding, matched her own.
“Yes.” She said. “I think I could live with that.” She leaned towards him, pressing her lips to his. Her da standing behind them, her mother, flabbergasted, stood next to him, but she… she lost herself in the arms of the man she loved.
∼∼∼
Claron and Sidna O’Rifcan married just a few days later in a small ceremony amongst their parents. They would move to Castlebrook in County Clare, Ireland and set up their home in the village. They would have ten children together. Seven boys and three girls. Their beloved home would, after the last child left the nest, be converted into a wonderful bed and breakfast. A staple in the village of Castlebrook, the B&B would serve as a haven for friends, family, and strangers over the years. And the charm of the O’Rifcan family would live on in their children, each with their own paths to love yet to come.
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sp; Learn more about Claron and Sidna’s children in their own stories in this complete box set.
Available on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TG1W8JW
Sidna Page 2
