Doctor Lucky Charms: A Holiday Romance (Kilts and Kisses)

by K. C. Crowne

  “Doc O’Neill,” he said, his gruff voice edged with anger. “This is none of your concern – family business.”

  I came to a stop ten feet or so from Connor, wanting to be close if he were to try anything. Joann regarded me with relief.

  “If that’s the case, then both of you can tell me and I’ll be on my way.”

  “That’s not how this works, Doc. You don’t get to intrude in family affairs. Now, why don’t you head back across the way and get back to poking around in women’s nethers.”

  I ignored him, turning my attention to Joann.

  “I was just seeing him off,” she said. “Our conversation was over.”

  “But-” Connor’s eyes flashed, and I could tell that wasn’t what he’d wanted to hear.

  “The conversation’s over, Connor,” she repeated, her tone stern. “We can pick it up again at a later time. Got it?”

  Connor glanced over to me, as if checking to see if I were still there. His posture fell, and I could sense he hadn’t counted on my arrival. What he would’ve done if I hadn’t shown up, I didn’t even want to think about.”

  “Fine,” he said. “Fine. I see how you Americans treat family. Damn shame.”

  With that, he turned and headed down the road. I kept my eyes on him until his figure faded into the murky dark.

  As soon as he was gone, I turned my attention to Joann. Maybe I should’ve played it cooler, but I didn’t care – I couldn’t help but let a smile spread across my face.

  She smiled right back.

  “It’s good to see you,” I said, already feeling warmer from her smile.

  “It’s good to see you, too.”

  A bit of silence hung in the air. While we’d said what was on our mind and hearts, there was still the matter of our last encounter being unpleasant.

  “Listen,” I said. “I’m sorry about getting you dragged into all that nonsense. I’m in the middle of a mad situation with those camera crews, and I should’ve been more careful.”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s all on me. Those idiots poured into my backyard and when I saw them stomping all over the flowers in my grandma’s garden and tearing up the grass…I kind of lost it. You were there and you got caught up in my anger, and that shouldn’t have happened.”

  “You want my honest opinion?” I asked. “It was a bit of a turn-on.”

  Joann grinned, stepping off the porch and making her way toward me. “Is that right?”

  “It was. The way you stood on that bench and scared the living bejesus out of all those people. Don’t know if you saw the look on old Sidney’s face, but he looked on the verge of blubbering like a baby.”

  She scrunched up her face. “You’re kidding. No way.”

  “I’m serious!” I said with a smile. “And when we talked it over later, he wanted to know what he’d need to do to make sure he didn’t get on your bad side if the filming ended up coming here. You scared him good, gorgeous.”

  She stepped closer to me, close enough to make my heart beat faster. I wanted to grab her, to pull her near, to cover her beautiful face in kisses. But I held back, not wanting to overwhelm her with too much, too soon after our little spat.

  “I love when you call me that,” Joann said. “Something about the way the word ‘gorgeous’ sounds with your accent. I could listen to you speak all day.”

  She kept coming closer, close enough to make it clear she wanted more than to talk.

  I decided to push it, just a little bit. “Anything else you’d like me to do all day?”

  She grinned. “I can think of a few things.”

  I couldn’t hold back any longer. I leaned in and placed my lips on hers, the sensation of the kiss like nothing else. No woman made me feel the way Joann did, and it was pointless to pretend otherwise.

  The kiss didn’t have a chance to go anywhere further, however. Headlights cut through the dark of night and a car pulled into the driveway.

  “You expecting someone?” I asked, wincing under the brightness of the lights.

  “I sure am,” she said. “And I think I want you to meet her.”

  The lights disappeared and the engine turned off, the front door opening and a woman, tall and pretty and unmistakably related to Joann, stepped out. A beautiful diamond ring glimmered on her finger.

  Then she screamed. Her eyes wide and her arms outstretched, she rushed over to Joann and pulled her into a tight hug. They both screamed as they embraced, and when the hug was over, they stepped back from one another and turned their attention to me.

  “Who’s the stud in the scrubs?” the woman asked with a joking smile.

  Joann pursed her lips, both of us keenly aware of how big a deal it was for me to meet her family.

  “This is Ronan O’Neill.”

  The woman’s eyes flashed. “This is the-” She stopped herself, closing her eyes and catching herself in the middle of saying something she knew she ought not. “Hi. I’m Jolene – Joann’s sister.”

  “A pleasure,” I said, taking her hand and shaking it.

  “Oh, that accent,” Jolene cooed. “I can see why you fell-“

  “Jolene!” Joann shouted, her eyes flashing.

  “Sorry, sorry,” she said. “Just saying, is all.”

  “Well,” I said. “I should let you both to it. It was nice meeting you, Jolene.”

  “Wait, you’re leaving?” she asked. “No way! Come on – you have to let me get to know you a little bit.”

  “I don’t want to impose,” I said. As much as I wanted to spend some time with Joann, I didn’t want to jam myself into a family situation like that.

  “Joann?” Jolene questioned.

  “It wouldn’t be an imposition,” Joann answered. “And besides, we’re going to be having plenty of one-on-one time over the next…how long are you here, anyway?”

  “That’s something I wanted to talk to you about. But let’s go inside! It’s damn chilly out here.”

  We started toward the house, Joann and I sharing a look that suggested things weren’t as bad between us as I’d feared. I still needed to play things carefully, however.

  The three of us went into the house, Joann preparing some tea as I got a fire in the study fireplace going.

  “This place is amazing,” I said, taking in the sight of the books all around us. “Your grandma was a big reader, always a book tucked under her arm, a quote on hand in any situation.”

  Jolene plopped into one of the overstuffed leather chairs and regarded me with wide eyes.

  “I want to hear everything you know about Grandma Mary. Down to the last detail.”

  I chuckled. “Well, she and I didn’t run in the same circles, but we saw each other about town all the time. I’ll tell you what I can.”

  She sat in rapt attention as I told her about her grandma, what a fixture she was in Sandy Cove and how everyone loved her like mad. Joann brought in the tea as the fire crackled, a bit of rain starting and pattering on the windows.

  “Now,” Joann said after a time. “Ronan just finished a long day at the office. Not sure he wants to relax by plumbing the depths of his brain for grandma stories.”

  “It’s no problem at all – happy to share her memory. But if you give me a bit of time, I’ll be happy to speak to me brothers and ask them if what they remember.”

  “That would be amazing,” Jolene said.

  Joann passed the mugs around and we took our seats. For a few moments, none of us said a word as we enjoyed the toasty warmth of the fire and the way the crackle of the flames provided the perfect accompaniment to the gentle rainfall.

  “So,” Joann finally said. “How long are you planning on staying?”

  Jolene grinned. “Well, the plan initially was for me to pop in for a week or so, hang out and head back. But Sawyer and I got to talking, he thought it’d be a good idea to make this little weeklong trip into a whole adventure.”

  “An adventure, huh?” I asked after sipping my tea. “An adventurous sp
irit seems to run in the family.”

  “You have no idea,” Jolene replied. “Anyway, we were thinking I might stay longer, maybe a full month or so while you get the sale sorted out.”

  “That would be awesome!” Joann shouted. “But you’re fine with not seeing the kids for that long?”

  She grinned. “That’s the best part. Sawyer wants the girls to be part of the adventure, too. So he’s thinking that in a week or so he’ll take them to Florida to visit his dad and step-mom, and from there they’ll come here!”

  Joann clasped her hands together. “Oh my God, I’d love that so much for the girls to see this place before we sell it.”

  Jolene’s face turned serious. “Then you’re planning on selling it? For sure?”

  It was the question that was on my mind, too, but it wasn’t my place to press the matter.

  There was silence, then she nodded. “That’s the plan. Ronan wants to turn the home and grounds into a women’s shelter.”

  Jolene shook her head in admiration. “That’s such an amazing idea. I love it.”

  Joann and I shared a look, one that suggested the bad blood between us had vanished.

  Then she cocked her head to the side, something occurring to her.

  “When were Sawyer and the kids planning on coming in?”

  “Ah, shoot,” Jolene said. “Let me think. It’s the eighth of November now. They were planning on going to Florida in a week for a week, then coming here…so that’d be around the twenty-second. Why?”

  “I was just thinking about the dates. If they’re here during that time, then they’re not going to do Thanksgiving.”

  Jolene’s face fell. “Oh, that’s right.”

  “Forgot about that Yank holiday,” I said. “What is it, you all get together and have some turkey?”

  “Yeah,” Jolene said. “It was always kind of a big deal for us when we were kids. Mom would always go all out, putting together a big meal even though she was crazy-busy with work. But it’s fine – they’ll just be happy to be here with you all.”

  “Mom would make the best stuffing,” Joann said with a smile. “And the biscuits, too.” She shook her head and waved her hand through the air. “It’s fine. As long as the family’s together, that’s the best I can ask for.”

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I slipped it out to see a text from Aiden asking about time at the volunteer clinic. I needed to speak to him, get the schedule for the week there sorted out.

  “I don’t mean to cut this short,” I said. “But business calls.”

  “Aw,” Jolene protested, a disappointed smile on her face. “That’s too bad. But I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot of you over the next few weeks, right?”

  I glanced over at Joann. The matter was hers to decide, after all.

  “I think you will be,” Joann said. “Here, let me see you out.”

  We both rose, and I said my goodbyes to Jolene before heading out. Moments later we were alone on the porch.

  “I’m glad you came by,” she said. “I was starting to miss you.”

  “Same here. And it was grand to meet your sister.”

  There was a bit of silence.

  “Let’s see each other again soon, yeah?” I asked.

  “How about lunch tomorrow?” she suggested. “Jolene and I will be spending the day together, so I’d love to carve an hour out for you and me.”

  “I’d like nothing better.”

  With that, I leaned in a planted a kiss on her lips. The kiss lingered, our mouths opening, our tongues touching. I wanted more and it was obvious she did too, but I was certain that would come in time.

  “See you tomorrow,” I said.

  “See you.”

  I left the porch and waved to her one last time before heading back to the clinic, grinning like an idiot all the while.

  Chapter 39

  JOANN

  It’d been a full week since Jolene came into Ireland, and each day had been more perfect than the last.

  We had settled into a nice routine. We’d wake up and make breakfast, followed by a walk in the woods behind the house. After that, we’d head into town to buy fresh groceries for dinner, along with a bottle of wine to split. From there, we’d explore Sandy Cove or Dublin or the countryside around, stopping for lunch in whatever pub caught our fancy. Then we’d head home make dinner, spending the rest of the evening after in the study talking or reading or chatting with Charlie and Georgie on Facetime.

  The routine wasn’t dead-set like that – there was, of course, time set aside for Ronan. I’d pop off to lunch with him here and there, and he and his brothers had been frequent guests for dinner at our place. It had been beyond lovely to spend time with everyone together, and that was to say nothing of when Aiden and Collin would leave, and Jolene would head to bed for the night and Ronan and I could have some quality time.

  The little fight we’d had only seemed to strengthen our newfound relationship. It was all so strange and wonderful. Ireland was new but seemed like a place I’d lived all my life. Ronan had the same effect. Between the two of them, I felt like I was home.

  “OK, we’re seriously doing this?”

  Jolene and I were seated next to a roaring fire on the roof at the Marleybone. It was evening, and after a long day of hiking in the countryside, we’d decided that neither of us felt up for cooking dinner. The place was lively, all the tables full and the rooftop warm from the heaters and fire.

  In front of us was a big plate of haggis.

  “We’re seriously doing this.”

  “Ah, come on now,” Ciara said as she dropped the dish off along with a couple of whiskey shots. “It’s me special recipe. I picked it up when I was over in Scotland a few years back and added a few little tweaks here and there to give it an Irish flare.”

  Jolene pursed her lips. “But it’s serious guts, right? I just looked on Wikipedia and that said it was the sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs cooked in its own stomach.”

  “There’s a wee bit more to it than that, dearie,” Ciara said. “But you’ve got the idea.” She shook her head. “Thing I always thought was crazy about you yanks is how none of you eat the damn guts of the animals! It’s all ‘ribeye’ this and ‘chicken breast’ that – you’re throwing out the best parts! Along with the most flavorful parts, too.”

  Jolene didn’t seem convinced. Truth be told, I was a little apprehensive, too, but I was game to try it out.

  “Think of it like big, really flavorful sausage,” Ciara told us. “Go on then, give it a few bites.” She winked, then headed off.

  “I hope they’re still bringing out my fish and chips,” Jolene said.

  Without a word, I grabbed my fork and cut into the haggis. Grease pooled around the dish which looked, as Ciara had said, like a big sausage. The insides were crumbly and spiced, and before I had a chance to talk myself out of it, I popped the bite into my mouth.

  It was…good. Damn good, in fact. So good that when I washed down my first bite with the dark beer I had nearby I went in for another.

  “You have to try this,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief at how good it was.

  Jolene, skepticism all over her face, gingerly picked up her fork and stuck it into the opened haggis, scooping out some of the innards. Her eyes closed she brought it to her mouth and ate. I watched her chew, eager to hear her thoughts.

  “Well?”

  “It’s…sausage-y. Hard to not think about what I’m eating, though.” She pushed the plate toward me. “I’ll let you handle this one.”

  “More for me,” I said with a grin.

  Ciara approached, putting her hands on her hips.

  “That’s the difference between an American and an Irishwoman,” she said. “The American needs to let the haggis grow on them, the Irishwoman eats it with great relish!”

  “But I’m half-Irish too,” Jolene said. “Hmm, maybe you got more of the genes.”

  “I think you’ve both earned a little bread pudding fo
r your adventurousness. I’ll have it out after your main courses.” With a wink, she was off.

  When Ciara was gone, the subject she’d brought up lingered in the air.

  “She’s right, you know,” Jolene said. “I love Ireland like crazy, don’t get me wrong. But seeing you here…I don’t know. There’s something natural about it. When we were in downtown Dublin yesterday you were going here and there like you’d lived in the place all your life. And when I get up in the morning and see you in the kitchen with your tea and sweater when you’re looking out the window…I see Grandma, in the best way possible. It’s amazing.”

  I grinned broadly as I leaned forward, glancing down at the haggis as I prepared to take another bite.

  “It’s crazy. I miss work, sure. And I majorly miss you and the rest of the fam. But there’s something about this place that-”

  I didn’t get a chance to finish. My eyes went wide, and I shot up out of the chair.

  “Oh no,” Jolene said. “Is it happening again?”

  “I’m fine!” I shot the words out as I hurried off the roof and down the stairs, rushing to the ladies’ room.

  Once there, I did the same thing that I’d done three other times over the last week. I dropped to my knees in front of the toilet and threw up, emptying the contents of my stomach.

  When I was done, I washed my mouth out with a little bottle of rinse that I’d remembered to bring with me after the last time I’d thrown up suddenly and made my way out. I nearly bumped straight into Ciara in the bathroom hall.

  “You alright, dearie?” she asked, giving me a look of concern. Then she put her hands on her hips, a strange expression on her face. “You were hurling in there, weren’t you? Don’t tell me the haggis was that bad.”

  I chuckled and shook my head. “No, it’s not that. It’s just…don’t want to TMI you too much here, but I’ve been getting sick out of nowhere the last few days.”

  “Getting sick out of nowhere?” She glanced side, as if doing some serious thinking. “And let me ask you this, have strange foods sounded really grand to you? Or really disgusting?”

  I laughed. “Well, the haggis.”