Her Man in Ireland

Her Man in Ireland

The musicians burst into action, filling the big room with a lilting Irish tune.
Ellen was mesmerized by the musician in the chair as he thrust himself into the tune, his muscular body swaying and his fingers flying. He was amazing.
As the tune ended, the audience applauded, stomped, and whistled. The man in the chair lifted his cap for a moment and looked straight at her.
Ellen sucked in her breath. She couldnâ€™t believe it. This musician was the auburn-haired man she saw in the cafeteria on her first day. Why hadnâ€™t she recognized him immediately?
The band continued the set as Ellenâ€™s attention moved from one musician to another, always lingering on the auburn-haired man playing some kind of strange bagpipes.
When the set ended, the crowd yelled for more. The auburn-haired man got up and whispered something into the fiddlerâ€™s ear.
The fiddler nodded and passed the word to the other musicians and then said to the crowd, â€œAll right then. Weâ€™ll play one last song in honor of an American lady visiting us tonight.â€ He pointed to Ellen.
Astonished, Ellen looked at the auburn-haired man who tipped his cap and smiled at her before the band launched into â€œThank God for America.â€
The audience started clapping and swaying to the tune, and Ellen joined in.
When the last note ended, the fiddler said, â€œItâ€™s a wonderful audience youâ€™ve been. Thank you friends. Good night.â€
After that, the musicians stood at the edge of the stage shaking hands and chatting with several people in the audience before they started packing away their instruments.
The man from the cafeteria looked at Ellen, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, â€œWait for me, please. Iâ€™ll be right there.â€
She nodded yes and watched him taking apart his instrument and packing the pieces carefully into his case. He closed the case and set it down at the edge of the stage before stepping down to stand in front of her.
Smiling at her, he asked, â€œMay I join you?â€
Returning his smile, she said, â€œOf course.â€
Sitting down opposite her, he leaned over and said, â€œSince you keep popping up in my life, I think itâ€™s time for an introduction. Iâ€™m Tomas Brandon.â€
He held out his hand, and she grasped it, noticing how warm and strong it was. â€œAnd, Iâ€™m Ellen Porter. How did you know I am American?â€
â€œYou look a bit Irish. Iâ€™ll give you that, but truth be told, I got the memo about an American female engineer coming on temporary assignment. Welcome to Dublin.â€
Her hand still in his, she said, â€œThank you, Iâ€™m glad to be here.â€ He held her hand a second longer.
â€œSo, tell me about yourself Ellen Porter. Where you come from and what you are about.â€
â€œI got my engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Got my first job in our San Francisco facility. Got married and divorced in San Francisco, transferred to the Austin facility, stored all my stuff there, hopped on a plane to Dublin, and here I am.â€
â€œI wonâ€™t pry about the divorce, but Iâ€™m glad youâ€™re here. What are you drinking? Want another one?â€
â€œI wanted a pint of Guinness, but a nosey waiter talked me out of it, so Iâ€™m drinking wheat beer.â€
Tomas threw back his head and laughed. â€œFor sure it was Benny. Heâ€™s always looking after the ladies. Maybe he has a daughter. I donâ€™t know.â€
Tomas raised his hand, and Benny quickly appeared, asking, â€œWhat can I get you?â€
Ellen studied her companionâ€™s profile. Up close, he was ruggedly handsome with a strong jaw and prominent nose.
â€œTwo wheat beers like the lady is drinking,â€ Tomas said.
â€œYes, sir.â€
Tomas turned full face to smile at Ellen. His short auburn hair, wide face, and high cheekbones framed his deep-set golden hazel eyes.
She smiled at him and said, â€œSo, tell me about yourself, Tomas Brandon.â€
â€œIâ€™m an electrical engineer by day, a musician by night once in a while, and an officer in the Irish Army Defense Reserve some weekends and some summer days.â€
#####
If you like sweet romance, come along to enjoy the twists and turns of this Irish-American tale.
Country USA
Manufacturer Ann M Streetman
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2016-09-21
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Ann M Streetman
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2016-09-21
Format	Kindle eBook

You might also like...