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Blackrock Shores

By Joi Copeland

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One who is waiting thinks the time long.
Is fada le fear furnaidhe.

-An Irish Proverb




















Chapter One

Freedom! Finally. After weeks of lockdown due to the Corona Virus, Roark Malone was free. Well, not just Roark, but all the people of Ireland. In January, the world first heard about the virus out of China. By March, the sickness spread all over the world. Countries, like his, closed their borders. Restrictions quickly followed. COVID spread across the world faster than a free pint in the local pub. It took almost every country by force, bringing down the strong and the weak, causing strict rules to be enforced about what stores could remain open, how far people could go from their homes, and the hospitality sector shutting down. Ireland was no exception.
Not that Roark complained. He'd rather be safe than sorry. Even though he'd been to the Promenade during lockdown, somehow this day felt different. Even the people around him appeared different. Cautious, yes. But free. The people who passed him had a spring in their step.
Even the weather seemed happy, which was unusual for his hometown of Galway. The sun beamed overhead. The sea lapped against the shore, welcoming its visitors with gentleness. People lined up at Blackrock Tower, waiting their turn to jump into the waiting water. Only a gentle breeze was in the air, as if the wind itself decided to give the Irish a break and enjoy the warm weather.
"At the moment, I don't fancy a dip in t'water. Ye?" Sean O'Neil nudged him in the ribs with his elbow.
"Same here. Let's go to The Creamery and get some ice cream." Roark turned away from the view of Blackrock and strolled down the walkway.
"Em, girls, ye game?" Sean directed his question to Shannon Heeley and Fiona Flaherty.
They nodded their agreement and followed Sean. "Now that church is open again, ye girls going t' attend or watch online?"
Roark turned his attention to their answers. Church online had been his go-to for the last several weeks only because he couldn't go in person due to restrictions. He looked forward to Sunday, meeting in person, and getting to connect with other Christians, even if he had to maintain two meters and wear a mask. It didn't matter, as long as he could be with other people.
"In person for sure." Shannon tossed her long brown hair over her shoulder. "Have you signed up yet?"
Roark nodded. "I didn't want to miss the chance to be with others. I signed up my parents, too. They miss it."
Seagulls sang overhead, calling to one another. They passed a man playing the guitar and singing. Life seemed almost normal. People milled about, laughter ringing through the air. Maybe the country had moved past the worst of the dreaded flu-like disease. Thousands in Ireland contracted it, hundreds died already. And it had only hit the country a few months ago.
Reaching The Creamery, Roark stood in the queue, making sure he adhered to the two-meter rule. He pulled a mask from his pocket. The government recently encouraged all patrons of indoor stores to wear masks. Soon it would become mandatory. Might as well get used to it now.
He placed his order, and once he received it, waited outside for his friends. He removed his mask and licked the ice cream melting down the sides of his cone. Yeah, back to normal.
A chocolate lab ran by Roark, knocking him off balance, his cone falling to the pavement.
"River!" A woman's voice pierced the air. "Stop!"
Roark steadied himself and grasped the dog's collar. "Hey, River," he cooed, knelt in front of the animal, and scratched the hound's head. "Causin' trouble for yer owner, are ye now?"
The dog licked his sticky fingers then moved on to his face.
"River," the breathless owner scolded, "bad dog." She turned her hazel eyes on Roark. "I'm so sorry about your cone. Em, I'll get you another one if you mind my dog."
Roark stood to his full height and towered over the woman. "No worries. I can grab it meself."
She shook her head, her hair bouncing with her movement. "No. I insist." She peered at the mess on the ground. "Chocolate?"
Irish women. Stubborn to the core. But this one added beauty to the mix. He dipped his head. "I thank ye."
With a quick pivot, the woman entered The Creamery.
"Made a new friend, did ya, Roark?" Sean's teasing voice reached him.
"I did. This is River." He scratched behind her ears. The dog panted and licked his hand.
"I meant the gal in the queue." Sean wiggled his eyebrows.
Roark rolled his eyes. "I didn't catch her name. Her dog knocked me over, and I dropped the cone. She felt bad and insisted on buying me another one."
"Yeah, Sean." Shannon's forehead wrinkled. "Don't turn this into something it isn't."
Roark ran his hand over the back of his neck. Sean cautioned him when it came to Shannon. He hinted Shannon had a thing for Roark. But Roark ignored his friend's warnings. Perhaps he should've listened.
"She's right, Sean," Roark finally spoke up. "It's no big deal."
Relief crossed Shannon's face while frowns developed on Sean and Fiona's. Roark bit back a groan and knelt in front of the dog again. He rubbed her soft, silky fur. While he didn't love dogs, this one had a way of tugging at his heart. What was it about this dog?
"Em, ye're River, are ye?" The dog's ears perked up at her name. "I bet ye give yer owner a run for her money."
River barked as if agreeing. "Does she look like she's smiling to you?" Fiona chuckled.
Shannon wrinkled her nose. "Dogs are smelly and take up way too much time. I think if you want companionship, get a significant other. Don't waste time on an animal."
Roark shrugged. "Hm. I don't know about that. Some people love having pets. I never had any while growing up, but that didn't stop me from wanting one. I don't have time right now for a dog or cat, but maybe one day I will."
"Well," Shannon stammered, "I'm not saying I never want one."
Roark refrained from rolling his eyes but caught Sean doing just that. He held in a snicker and stood. Roark stepped back and stumbled, knocking the person behind him off balance. He turned in time to see River's owner flail her arms as his new cone crashed to the ground.

#
Aine Donoghue squealed and dove for the ice cream. It splat before she reached it. Her body hit the ground, pain slicing through her knee. "Oof!"
Strong arms lifted her up and set her on a nearby bench. "Ye okay?" Mocha eyes with specks of green filled with concern.
"I'm grand." Aine sighed. "Sorry about your ice cream...again."
"'Tis no bother." Handsome man waved his hand in front of his face. "Ye sure ye're okay? That scrape looks awful."
A drip of blood oozed from her knee. "Em, it happens when you have a dog. Not the first time I've been scratched, and it won't be the last." She forced her lips to turn up into what she hoped looked like a smile. In truth, her knee throbbed.
Someone beside Handsome Man handed her a napkin. She glanced up into another set of brown eyes filled with worry. "That looks like it hurts."
"It hurts a mite, but I'll be fine."
"I'm Sean, and this here is Roark, Shannon, and Fiona."
"Sorry about yer knee." Roark pursed his lips. "I ought to have looked behind me."
All four people studied her like an animal in the zoo. She squirmed then rose to her feet. "I'm really fine. I live just around the corner, so River and I will run on home and take care of my knee."
"I can walk with ye," Sean offered.
Aine shook her head and reached for River's leash. "Thanks, but we're good. Roark, may I at least give you money for another cone?"
"No. Let's call it even. I hurt yer knee. The last thing ye should do is buy me a treat." Roark handed her the leash. "Ye sure we can't walk with ye?"
"I'm good, thanks. You have a good day. River, let's go." Aine turned on her heel, waved over her shoulder, and pounded the pavement, pain bolting up her leg with every other step.
Roark. Strong name for a strong and handsome man. Too bad Sean introduced them, though. She'd rather think of him as Handsome Man. He seemed more mysterious with her nickname. Tall, short dark hair, gorgeous brown eyes with a mix of green, round chin and a straight nose finished off his excellent looks. Too bad he was taken.
Heat spread to her face and not from the run. One of the women Sean introduced appeared perturbed with Roark's attention on her. Probably his girlfriend. Aine sighed. She'd feel the same way if another woman were gaining attention from her boyfriend. If she had a boyfriend. Her last relationship didn't last more than six months. Rohan couldn't take no for an answer. Even though he professed to be a Christian, his actions proved he was not what she wanted in a mate.
Pushing the door open to her apartment, Aine unhooked River's leash. "You got me into some trouble today, girl. What am I going to do with you?"
River barked and pranced around the living room. Aine giggled. "Keep you, that's what I'll do. Because even though you get me in trouble, you sure do make me smile."
The ringing of Aine's phone interrupted her talk with River. She glanced at the name. "Hi, Granny!"
"What's the craic, Aine?"
"Well, I went for a run," Aine began, cleaning the cut on her knee while she spoke. "River ran into a handsome man and made him drop his ice cream. I went to buy him another one, and then he ran into me. While I was trying to save his cone from falling again, I fell and scraped my knee."
Her grandmother chuckled. "Handsome, you say?"
Aine bandaged her knee and relaxed on the sofa. "That's all you took from my story, is it?"
"Sure, what else would I be doing?" Granny chuckled again. "You got out, did ye?"
"Even though I exercised every day when in lockdown, I had to get out today to fully enjoy the freedom I have. Did you?"
"I did. I went to the market. It was nice to be out. Tell me more about the handsome lad."
Aine pictured her granny raising her eyebrows up and down. "There's not much to tell, Granny. I fell. He picked me up and directed me to a bench. His friend introduced himself, Roark, and two women I think might be their girlfriends."
"Does he love Jesus?"
"Granny!" Aine sputtered. "I just met him. The first question out of my mouth isn't going to be that."
Granny cackled. "Oh, ta tease ye is one of my favorite things!"
River jumped up on the couch and plopped her head on Aine's lap. "Oh, Granny," Aine giggled, "did you do this with Conor, too?"
"Of course I did! Oh, ye should've seen his face get red when I started teasing him about Maeve." Granny's laughter continued. "He'd get all embarrassed and trip over his words."
"You make me laugh. I wish I could see you and hug you."
It'd been weeks since Aine had seen her only living grandmother. Since lockdown, Granny moved in with Aine's parents so she wouldn't be alone.
"I miss ye too. And don't ye worry about this handsome man ye met. If he isn't who God has for ye, just remember yer worth ten of him." Granny's voice softened. "And that's not me teasin' ye."
"I know, Granny. Thanks a million." Aine blinked back tears. What would she do without her granny? Always encouraging her, checking in on her, and showering her with love. Not to mention a few cracks here and there.
"We'll see each other soon enough, Aine. And when we do, expect a grand hug."
"I love you, Granny."
"And I you."
Aine hit end on her cell phone and closed her eyes. What a day. Freedom from lockdown, meeting two gorgeous men who unfortunately appeared to have girlfriends, getting hurt, and then speaking with her granny. Granny, who taught her about Jesus, was the one person who encouraged Aine to marry someone who shared her faith. Jesus, keep Granny safe during this pandemic. May it end soon so we can all meet in person once again.

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