The Mighty Quinns: Riley Read Free Page A

around here for two feckin’ hours waiting on you.”
    â€œI was supposed to arrive three hours ago.”
    â€œWell, I was running late. I’ve got things to do today and I’m wasting my time searching for an old lady who doesn’t exist. I have to get back to the pub.”
    â€œI’m sorry to keep you from your late-morning drinking,” she snapped. Yes, he was sexy, but he also could be a bit of an ass.
    â€œMy family owns a pub,” Riley explained. “I work there, along with my brothers.”
    â€œAnd you run a guesthouse?”
    â€œIt doesn’t take much running, but, yes, I do that, too—plus lots of other things. Like driving demanding tourists home from the airport.” He shook his head. “You could have told me you were a fine bit of stuff.”
    Though she should have been insulted, Nan’s irritation suddenly vanished and she smiled reluctantly. “‘Stuff’? What do you mean by that?”
    â€œDon’t act like you don’t know what I’m saying,” he replied. “You’re beautiful, so don’t get your knickers in a twist if I call you on it.” Riley reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, then handed it to her. “There’s your name. Come on. Spilt milk. I’m in the car park.” He grabbed her suitcase and started across the road. When she didn’t follow, he turned around and strode back, grabbing her carry-on. “It’s this way,” he said. “Don’t expect I’ll carry you, too.”
    Nan followed him across the road, hurrying to catch up with his long strides. “Maybe you should have had that cigarette,” she shouted. “Or maybe a big handful of mood elevators would help your negative attitude.”
    He laughed out loud. “Now, why would you say that? I’ve been nothing but pleasant since the moment we met.”
    â€œAnd I haven’t?”
    He sent her such a charming smile that Nan couldn’t do much more than laugh herself. “You’ve been a darling,” he said.
    It was impossible to be angry with the man, no matter how irresponsible he might appear to be. “Be careful,” she called as he hauled her suitcase up a set of steps. “That’s brand-new luggage.”
    Giving her a long-suffering glare, he picked the suitcase up in his arms and continued up the stairwell. “Jaysus, what do you have in here?”
    â€œI’m staying for ten days. I needed my things.”
    â€œAnd what might those things be?” he asked. “Construction supplies? I won’t be asking you to build your own cottage.”
    â€œI had to bring shampoo and soap and lotion. And all my guidebooks. And I had to bring some things to eat, like peanut butter and my favorite kumquat preserves. And my special tea. I know you won’t have those things here.”
    â€œThey let you through with that?” he asked.
    Nan stopped short, her hand clutching the railing. “What do you mean? Was I supposed to declare it? They said just meat and dairy products. And plants. The jars have never been opened and I—oh, no. Do you think they consider tea a plant?”
    â€œOh, I don’t know. Here in Ireland, plants usually don’t have leaves.”
    â€œI have to go back.”
    She reached for her suitcase, but he pulled it away and grabbed her arm. “Oh, no, you don’t,” he warned. “We’re not going back inside.”
    â€œBut I may have broken the law.”
    â€œSo you’re a criminal now. You’re just going to have to live with the shame. Come on, Alice Capone, let’s get the hell out of here before you find another way to waste my day.”
    â€œIf I get in trouble, I’m going to blame you,” Nan said.
    â€œOh, you’ll be fine. It’ll be a grand adventure, your life on the run from the Irish authorities. It’s better