He thought it was one of the worst days of his life. One that made him go down without a fight. But then he assured himself that at least he had tried to ask the question if being care about her engagement plan would make a difference. She was lost for words. And he didn't have the heart to demand her answer. It was when he believed she felt that too. She returned his kiss at the B n' B afterall and about to kiss him again at the wedding if she didn't throw up on his shoes.
He assured himself he was being gallant. Her very word when he suggested that she didn't sleep with him on the little bed at the Bn'B in Tipperary. He didn't want to be the man who stole someone else's fiance. No he was much better than him - a good friend of his who stole his fiance a year ago.
There was nothing he could do about the girl who has just filled his heart. She was engaged by now. He could tell from the loud cheering that he could hear from the outside of the apartment. He made up his mind. He would concentrate on his business. He had to pay his debt. He had to save the pub and the inn. It was his life. And there was a little of herself left on it. And so it's worth saving. He smiled to himself and tried to think happy thoughts. It made the journey home from Dublin a little more bearable.
It was a busy week for him. It took most of his thought and energy to take up a fundraising program. Though he coulnd't deny that she was still on his mind. A lot. He hoped it was her and would turn his head everytime the door open especially at nights when he was feeling lonely and started missing her like hell. Some elderly gentlemen who frequented the pub at nights seemed to sense this too. They would ask a question or two, but he would steer the conversations away from the mention of the girl.
On the last day of the fundraising program, he was short a little and got help from the locals who were at the restaurant that morning. He gave them a little treat in the form of free beer. He was high spirited as if he started a brand new day. Well he did actually when Martin went to the kitchen to tell him that a customer complained about his chicken being dry. He was furious as he found out that there was nothing wrong about the chicken pie. As he angrily asked the customers who he suspiciously complained, there he saw the girl he was dying to see.
Suddenly he was hopeful once again...