“Where is it we’re going?” she asked. It wasn’t the first time she’d asked, but she hadn’t received a satisfactory answer yet.
Finn tapped the steering wheel thoughtfully. “I hadn’t entirely made up my mind. I was thinking Killarney, but I think it might be worth it to take a detour. Go to Gougane Barra. You don’t mind the drive, do you?”
“Not at all,” she answered honestly. Now that they were finally spending time alone, knowing how he felt about her, she didn’t care where they went.
It almost felt like everything she’d written was finally coming true—like maybe she could have the life she imagined. Like perhaps she could be brave enough to deserve it. She only let her thoughts travel so far that way, though. Because after that came the question: what would happen when her ten weeks were up? Right now, that was the last thing she wanted to think about. Shewas willing herself to live in the moment, to enjoy every bit of time she had.
It was midafternoon when they arrived. Finn pulled up to a long, two-story, white stone building with a blue awning at its entrance. There was nothing fancy about it, but it looked clean and inviting. Out front were a few picnic tables. Over the entrance, in black lettering, it read: Gougane Barra Hotel.
“Are you hungry?” Finn asked as they climbed out of the car. “We could grab a bite to eat before we go exploring.”
“What exactly are we exploring?”
Finn turned her so she was no longer facing the hotel and could see what she hadn’t been paying attention to on the way in. Down the drive and across the road was a lake. In the lake, on a tiny island of green, stood a church. Not just any church, though. It was the loveliest church she’d ever seen. Not because the building itself was amazing, although she could see the beauty in the architecture. It was simple, with its gray stone façade, tall arched windows, and a taller arched wooden door, all set against a slate roof that pointed up into a sharp triangle. But it was the combination of the building and the remoteness of its location, situated among the trees on the island, surrounded by the still, dark waters of the lake, that gave it its wondrous appeal.
“Oh.” Without thinking, she stepped away from Finn to get a better look.
“Okay then, we explore first.”
Two steps later, he was beside her, slipping his hand into hers. They rounded the edge of a hill that had partially blocked her view, exposing the bridge that led to the island. As excited as she was to see it, she was immediately distracted by the backdrop of the forest behind it.
“How did I miss that?” she asked, dumbfounded. The trees rose before her, huge and interwoven, climbing up and over the expanse ahead, creating a dark and secretive world.
“I’m sure you saw the tips of it. But until you round this area, it’s all kind of hidden. It makes for a lovely surprise.” He squeezed her hand as he said it. “But that part of the exploring can wait until after food.”
“Yes,” she wholeheartedly agreed, seeing the workout ahead of her.
“For now, the church.”
They fell in with the small stream of tourists crossing the wooden bridge. Finn was patient as Penelope moved slowly, looking out over the still waters beneath them before crossing to the soft green grass on the other side.
Her imagination was at play again as she wondered who might have lived here all those years before. There weren’t many houses or even ruins around to give much away. Thankfully, there wasn’t a graveyard either.
“You seem to have a thing for churches, Finn Casey. What’s that all about?” she asked without thinking.
She was surprised to see him turn away, his cheeks looking slightly redder than they had a minute ago.
He coughed as if clearing his throat before answering, “Only with you, apparently. But I wanted you to see this. It’s the valley where the River Lee begins. You were wondering before if we were driving by it. I thought you might like seeing where it starts.”
“Really?” She turned in circles, taking in the taller-than-usual hills that sloped down to the lake.
“Those hills all have little streams that lead here,” he said, pointing to the lake.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I hoped you would think so.”
They took their turn exploring inside the church and doing a quick tour of the island, which didn’t take long considering its size. Then Finn led the way back to the hotel.
“Sorry,” he apologized. “I’m just starving. Grab a table for us, and I’ll get some menus, okay?”
“Sure,” she agreed readily. It was a mostly sunny day with only a few clouds passing through—a beautiful day for spending time outdoors.
Happily seated, she enjoyed the feel of the sun on her shoulders. She listened to the people around her chatting, hearing Irish and American accents, as well as some she couldn’t place. She glanced around, enjoying the scenic view until her eyes were drawn again to the words above the entrance. Then, for the first time, the full realization of what they were doing sank in. At the same moment, Finn stepped back outside to join her again.
“So, yeah, it’s more pub food for out here. I was just going to get us toasties if that’s okay with you. We can get something nicer for dinner later,” he shifted from one foot to the other.
“Sure.”
