Guiding Our Hearts: Irish Hearts, #3

By Grace Roberts

Everything happens for a reason.

 

Maggie O'Hagan dreamed of leaving Ireland to explore the world. After her brother's sudden death, however, she knows she needs to set aside her dreams and resign herself to a more stable life in her Irish hometown, for the sake of her family's happiness—even if she ends up being the one who's unhappy.

 

That's when he walks into her life.

 

Although Harrison McNally loves his job as a photographer for the biggest travel magazine in Montreal, he's always looking for opportunities to get the perfect shot that would land him a position with National Geographic—even if this means all his traveling around the world will never allow him to have a serious relationship.

 

That's when she steps out of his dreams.

 

When Harrison lands in Ireland, he feels a sudden attraction for the adorable tour guide, and shocks them both by offering her a job as his personal guide. Although they know their time together is limited, that doesn't stop them from falling for each other. And just as they've resigned to saying their final goodbye, an angelic presence comes into their lives to steer them on the right path to happiness.

 

Sometimes true love can close the widest distance—if you believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grace Roberts
• Release date: Jan 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215756614

Grace Roberts

Grace writes heartwarming stories set in Ireland or in small towns in the United States—two places where she’d love to live while writing full-time. She’s also an avid reader who thinks daydreaming should be a paid profession and that the world would be a better place if bookworms ruled it. Growing up as an only child, she spent all her free time with her nose stuck in books, enjoying the company of fictional friends, while dreaming of becoming an author. Discovering books by Rosamunde Pilcher was the turning point in her life, and she decided to start writing down the stories that kept playing in her head, just for fun. After the first couple of stories, though, she found it impossible to stop—and she’s been writing ever since. Subscribe to Graces’s newsletter to make sure you’re always up-to-date with her writing world.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

MAGGIE

Cheers and laughter exploded when I caught the bouquet my new sister-in-law had just tossed. The wicked glint in Claire’s eyes and the lack of surprise on her face told me it wasn’t a coincidence. I’d made fun of her when she caught the bouquet at my sister’s wedding last year, and I could only guess this was payback. I gave a forced smile, lifted it up in the air, then hoped for somebody to deflect the attention from me as I moved to find an empty chair.

The day Kathy, my sister, married Colin, Claire—my older brother’s girlfriend—had unexpectedly caught the bouquet. Only a few hours after that, David proposed to her—and here we all were, a year later, at their wedding.

Being the youngest of four siblings, no one had expected me to get married before any of them, but the fact that both my remaining siblings had tied the knot would no doubt put pressure on me now. I was sure that once my mother had come down from the high of wedding preparations, she’d start asking when I’d be settling down myself. In all honesty, I was in no hurry to be tied up with someone. At twenty-three, I hadn’t yet given up hope of seeing the world, of living a little before I had to think of starting a family. It was why I’d enrolled in the College of Arts at the National University of Ireland in Galway, my hometown, hoping it would give me an excuse to visit new places and discover new cultures. Their program included a year abroad for those who decided to study a foreign language, and when I enrolled, I could already see myself strolling around the streets of Rome, visiting the leaning tower of Pisa, marveling at the beauty of the David’s statue in Florence, or simply enjoying an aperitivo in St. Mark’s Square in Venice. I would be living my own version of Roman Holiday and maybe meet my very own Gregory Peck—though, in my case, he would be a tall, dark, and handsome Italian lad with tanned skin and the sexiest accent.

Instead, three years ago, on a cold January day, my oldest brother, Declan, died on his way to the airport in Dublin, where he and Kathy should have taken a plane to New York. The car accident that took his life also left Kathy paralyzed for six months, and none of us remaining siblings had felt like leaving our parents to pursue our dreams. Both Kathy and David had planned to move to New York with Declan, and when their plans had shattered in that car, somehow mine had too.

Like my siblings, I decided to stay close to our parents, despite knowing they’d always been adamant we followed our dreams and lived our lives wherever our hearts would take us.

Eventually, after a few months they’d been dating, Kathy had moved up north to Sligo, where Colin’s grandmother lived and where he worked as a physiotherapist, but they often came down to visit us all. David stayed closer, though a few weeks before the wedding he and Claire had moved into a nice, semi-detached two-story in Salthill, overlooking the Galway Sea.

I hated to admit it, but I missed having my brother around all the time. After he and Claire fell in love, a little more than a year ago, he’d often spent the night at her place. Now, the sight of his empty room, which had always been a mess of scattered clothes and books even while he was at Claire’s, made my heart ache.

I’d decided to put my plans on hold while I finished college, but then I simply settled into a routine and accepted a job a few weeks ago as a tour guide in my hometown. It wasn’t the same as traveling around the world, but at least I got to meet people from all over, and that would have to suffice for now.

May I have this dance? My dad woke me from my musings, extending his hand, palm-up. I gave him a genuine, dazzling smile as I put my hand in his. I’d never been ashamed to say I’d been a daddy’s girl ever since I was born. Our parents loved us all equally, but my dad always had a soft spot for me. I let him lead me onto the dance floor, where David was dancing with his bride and Kathy was dancing with Colin, her baby bump barely showing under her emerald-green silk gown.

Won’t Mum be upset you asked me to dance instead of her?

My dad’s face softened, and his blue eyes shone with pure love—the same emotion that, for as long as I could remember, I’d seen reflected there whenever someone spoke about his wife. It was the same look I saw shining bright in Kathy’s eyes, as well as in David’s. I couldn’t help wondering if I’d ever be so lucky to have someone look at me like that one day. Though I wasn’t ready to settle down yet, I wouldn’t mind finding someone who’d love me unconditionally, like every member of my family seemed to love their partners.

We’ve already had lots of first dances, she won’t mind. He chuckled softly as he gave me a twirl, making me giggle like a little girl. My gaze landed on my mum, sitting by the dance floor. She smiled as she watched us, though I didn’t miss the way her eyes were glistening. I wondered if she was thinking of Declan, if she wished he could be here to celebrate yet another wedding in our family. If he’d been here, he would’ve been David’s best man, no doubt—though Colin had been honored to step into the role. Ever since Colin and Kathy became a couple, he’d gotten as close to David as a brother.

Everything happens for a reason, Declan had told Kathy the last time he’d shown himself to her in his angelic form, and the statement was especially true for our family. Declan had been there for her for six months after the accident, helping Kathy get over the trauma and discover her destiny. He’d been the one who’d healed her and made her walk again. His death had also caused her path to cross with Colin’s, and, while falling in love, they had healed each other’s emotional scars too.

Although none of the rest of us in the family had seen him after his death, we’d never questioned Kathy’s words or her sanity when she’d told us about Declan being her guardian angel. I knew David had seen him, too, last year, but only in a dream that had served to alert him about Claire being in danger. I was the only one of the siblings who hadn’t seen him, and I couldn’t deny I was a bit upset about it. Though he’d always been closer to Kathy while I was closer to David, I’d loved him just as much as my sister had, and I knew he loved me too. I couldn’t get over the fact that he hadn’t tried to contact me yet.

When the dance ended, Dad took a bow, then kissed me on the cheek before moving over to Kathy. I didn’t have time to return to my seat, because someone grabbed my hand and spun me around. When I met David’s smiling gaze, my frown softened. I still think Claire should’ve listened to me when I told her she was making the biggest mistake of her life by marrying you, I said with an exaggerated eye roll. Ah, well. I guess some women are just masochistic like that.

David grinned. No, it’s just that I’m irresistible. He placed his free hand on the small of my back, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again, letting him lead me across the dance floor, happy to be in his arms after what seemed like ages since the last time he hugged me. Despite the bickering, I knew I was going to miss my brother now that he had someone to love and would no longer be around as often as he used to. With Kathy in County Sligo and him living with Claire, albeit only a couple of miles away, the house would feel empty. Some would think I’d be happy to go back to being a daddy’s girl and have all of my parents’ attentions for myself, but I couldn’t deny I’d always loved being part of a big family. Having older siblings looking out for me always made me feel safe and loved—although at some point during adolescence and once they were all off to college I’d taken it all for granted. I’d thought it would be my chance to make it on my own and prove I was mature enough, to the point that, even when Kathy or Declan came home from Dublin to visit, I didn’t care to cancel the plans I’d made with friends to spend time with my siblings, instead. How I came to regret that when Declan moved to New York! After he died and Kathy fell into that dark hole for six months, I cried myself to sleep every night for weeks, wishing I hadn’t acted like an immature teenager.

A lump formed in my throat, and I instinctively rested my head against David’s chest, seeking reassurance in my older brother like I used to do as a child. His hand squeezed mine, and he rubbed my back with the other.

What’s wrong, Mags? Getting a little emotional, are we? His humorous tone made me smile even as I sniffled, trying to hold back the tears that had already done enough damage to my makeup while I’d listened to David and Claire exchange vows.

I’ll miss you, I blurted out, knowing I wasn’t in the state of mind to come up with some silly excuse or a sarcastic reply just to tease him.

He chuckled and shook his head. I’m not moving to Australia. I’ll be exactly a five-minute drive away from you. And my door is always open for my pesky little sister.

A squeaky laugh left my lips, and I swatted his chest with my free hand. I’m trying to be serious. Don’t make fun of me.

I’m not, he whispered, and gave my hand another squeeze. You know I’ll always be there for you. We’re still a family like we’ve always been, only with a couple more members. I won’t suddenly turn into a besotted lad who’s got eyes only for his wife and forgets about everyone else. Plus, I know you and Claire have become friends, and I’d be happy to let you have girls’ nights and sleepovers whenever you want. I doubt Mum and Dad will turn my room into some kind of home gym or hobby space, so I’d still have a bed to sleep on if you girls want to spend time together.

I nodded. During the year or so he and Claire had been dating, we’d become her family, since she didn’t have one of her own. And since her housemate, Ciara, had been in school with Kathy, we all started hanging out together more often. I’d gotten to know her quite well, and we’d actually become pretty close. I’d come to consider her like a real sister, and the idea of having sleepovers and girls’ nights was quite enticing.

I thought you’d want to play happy couple, once you were married, and that… My voice cracked and I sniffled again, feeling that annoying prickle behind my eyelids. That you wouldn’t have time for me anymore. Either of you.

Aww, Mags! He stopped swaying and lifted my chin with his finger. Listen carefully, because I’m not going to repeat this. I will always have time for you. I’m not going anywhere and if you ever need to talk or to vent, or just want someone to annoy, you are always welcome to come to our place or call me. I’m not going to turn my back on you just because I’m married. And I know for a fact that Claire loves hanging out with you, so I’m sure she wouldn’t do that either. We’re still a family. We’re still the O’Hagan Clan and nobody and nothing will ever break us apart. Are we clear?

I nodded and smiled weakly, blinking rapidly when my vision started to blur. I would not cry.

Good. He lifted our joined hands and spun me so swiftly I giggled like a girl. He used to do that while dancing with me at parties when we were kids, because I was too shy to dance with anyone else but my big brothers. Declan would let me step onto his feet and I’d laugh with sheer joy as he moved us around the dance floor. A bigger lump formed in my throat and, this time, I nearly choked on it. If only he could be here too, celebrating with us…

Do you think Declan’s here? The words had barely formed in my brain when they left my lips of their own volition. I grimaced. I didn’t want to ruin David’s happy day. Although I knew everyone was still feeling Declan’s absence at every family gathering, even after three years, I hadn’t meant to bring up the subject now, especially since I was already feeling emotional enough.

He’d better be. There was a smile in David’s tone, and when I looked up, his eyes sparkled with some faraway emotion, probably some memory of his time spent with our brother. I know he was at Kathy’s wedding, he said, referring to the rainbow that had appeared in the sky on our sister’s wedding day, which we all knew was Declan’s sign to show he was there, so I’d be offended if he didn’t come to mine. David looked up at the ceiling and narrowed his eyes. Do you hear me, brother?

I chuckled, imagining Declan rolling his eyes or shaking his head in resignation. Our older brother had been funny, as well as caring and smart. I’d never known if he’d had a girlfriend when he was in New York, if he’d been thinking about his future, if he’d ever considered coming back home and continuing his career as a journalist here, closer to us. I’d been too childish back then, thinking that, since he hadn’t seemed to care about leaving his family behind, he wouldn’t care about keeping in touch, especially not with the annoying little sister who didn’t seem interesting enough, anyway.

Oh, how I wished I could turn back time and show him how much I’d cared about him, how much the distance between us had hurt me, how it had been caused by the idea that he didn’t love me enough to want to be in touch. I’d hardly ever replied to his messages with more than just a short, Everything’s fine here, and I’d let resentment keep me from building a stronger relationship with the brother I’d loved so much while growing up. He’d always been Kathy’s favorite, but he’d been loving and supportive of me too. Even when I’d kept him at a distance, because of my stupid pride, I’d still longed to go back to those days when he helped me with homework or played with me on the beach at Strandhill.

A sudden warmth rushed over me, as if someone’s arms had wrapped around me. It only lasted for an instant, but my heart knew what had just happened, even before my brain connected the dots. You’re here.

David chuckled. Yeah, I’m here. Are you that drunk already?

I blinked and realized I’d said the words out loud. I stared up at David and met his amused gaze. No, Declan is here. I’ve just felt his hug. His warm hug Kathy said he gave her when he touched her as her guardian angel.

David’s silver-blue eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. A flicker of hope crossed his features and he nodded, not even questioning my declaration—or my mental sanity. Our family had experienced something amazing, something only we could understand, and if there was one thing none of the O’Hagans—including the in-laws—would ever doubt, it was that our beloved Declan would always be around, watching over us.

I’ll get Claire. Go get Kathy and Colin, and Mum and Dad, then meet us outside in the garden.

I nodded and we went our separate ways. I was pretty sure I knew why he wanted us all to go outside, and when we finally stepped through the open French doors into the manicured garden of the hotel where the reception was being held, we all looked up and smiled at the sight of a beautiful rainbow across the deep-blue, early June sky. Declan was indeed celebrating that special day with us and was giving us the proof of his presence