A Change of Heart (The Heartfelt Series) by Adrienne Vaughan Read Free Book Online Page A

up.”
    The lads worked long hours in difficult conditions. Only the day before, huge halogen lights had been hoisted on metal pikes to bathe the whole site in an eerie glow; visibility being often less than perfect on Innishmahon in mid-October.
     The headman Shay was a stocky Dubliner with bright-blue eyes, a wicked grin and a fruity turn of phrase. He could not get used to the fact that Father Gregory was often in the pub and apologised incessantly to the priest for his language.
     Shay was flirting shamelessly with Miss MacReady.
     “God you look fucking gorgeous tonight Kathleen, you really do. I could eat you, you’re like a candy floss.” Shay raised his glass to her, then noticed Father Gregory reading the paper.
     “Oh Jesus, I’m sorry, Father,” he said, “ah shite, I’m sorry again.”
     “I don’t think God’s that bothered how many times you use the F-word in front of me,” Father Gregory smiled, taking a swig of Budweiser.
     “I don’t want to be disrespectful, Father.” Shay turned puce. Father Gregory smiled at the young man, he seemed genuine enough.
     “Ah, respect is earned, we all know that. Anyway actions speak louder than words.  Tell me Shay, do you think you act in a Christian-like way?” the priest asked, the bar fell silent awaiting the reply.
     “I do me best, Father,” Shay looked into his pint.
     “Sure what more can any man do?” said the priest. “I’m Gregory, by the way, far too young to be your father.” And they all laughed.
    Shay spotted Father Gregory’s newspaper. “Do you like the gee-gees, Gregory?” he asked, intrigued.
    “With a passion. I come from a long line of horse breeders and trainers. Why the ‘Big Man’ called me to this profession, I sometimes wonder.” Father Gregory’s eyes turned skywards.
    “Must have thought you were a good bet!” laughed Shay. “Mind if I join you?”
     They were deep in conversation when Sinead Porter slipped in to the pub, taking a seat in what would have been the ‘snug’. Padar had long since removed the walls, erecting a small half-glazed partition, affording privacy off the main bar.
     Shay looked up from studying the form.
     “Who’s that little cracker?” he asked the priest, grinning over at the young blonde, dressed in navy slacks and a pink cashmere sweater wrapped softly around her neat curves. Father Gregory looked up.
     “Our lovely midwife,” he said.
     “Why have I never seen her before?” asked Shay.
     “Runs the pharmacy with her husband, Phileas, works part-time at the hospital on the mainland,” Father Gregory told him, smiling at Sinead, who was chatting easily with Padar.
     “I dunno, why are all the best ones always taken?” Shay asked dourly.
     “I’d have thought a good-looking lad like yourself would have a wife, a girlfriend at least,” Father Gregory said.
     Shay shrugged.
     “I did once. But with me working away the whole time, I came home from a job in England and she’d run off with a Polish fella - pregnant, the lot,” Shay said flatly. “That’s why I’m here, nothing at home for me.”
     “I’m sorry.” Father Gregory went back to his paper.
     “Where’s her husband? A gorgeous girl like that shouldn’t be out on her own,” Shay could not take his eyes off her.
     “Phileas is not much for the pub. Sometimes Sinead comes in for a quiet glass of wine. Her job is very stressful, I’d imagine,” Father Gregory explained. Shay was still staring at her. “I’ll just go and check she’s okay,” said the priest, tapping the newspaper to avert Shay’s gaze.
    Although whatever Larry and Ryan had to discuss would have serious ramifications on her own life, Marianne thought it wise to leave the men to themselves for a couple of hours. Now with the babies settled, not too far from where Padar was doing his paperwork, she decided to make an appearance at May Cottage.
    After greeting Larry warmly, she busied herself arranging the vast