the pool deck. They were laughing at the antics of the two boys jumping in and out of the water.
“It looks freezing out there now. I noted the breeze rippling over the surface of the pool,” I said.
“No, it’s really warm, it’s solar and mains heated to eighty-nine degrees. It's got an integrated hot tub section over on that side,” Catrina replied, pointing over to the left.
“How did you sleep?” Paddy asked.
“I don’t even remember falling asleep,” I admitted.
“Has Jamie told you that you inspired five songs on our new album. It’s great to finally meet you, Daisy. If my good wife would excuse me for a moment, I can understand why this guy was such a whiney pain in my ass while we were cooped up. You’re a looker.”
I blushed as all eyes stared at me while Paddy, another of my rock idols from DistRoyed, paid me a compliment.
“We’re glad you could make it, Daisy. I was just saying to Paddy last night how excited I was that we’ll get to know one another better,” Bernie agreed.
“Whoa, are you all going to talk slower for the non-Celts among us?” Catrina asked, and we stopped talking, turned toward her and stared.
Paddy snickered. “Oh, are we too fast for your American brain processor? Well, that’s grand, we can talk about them and they’ll have no idea what we’re saying. Sorry about the call from Jamie’s PA, Daisy,” he added.
“No problem, since Jamie’s explained,” I replied with a smile, because he was right.
I wasn’t annoyed about that anymore.
When I heard someone clear their throat, I realized I had tripped out and I was having a moment, gawping at Paddy and Jamie because they were two of my most treasured rock star idols.
“I don’t really think I’ll be getting in that pool today, especially with the pool man incident still fresh on their minds,” I disclosed, and felt my face redden. Everyone burst out laughing. “It’s fine, you can laugh at my expense, but having never had a pool before, I wasn’t expecting a stranger ogling at my arse first thing in the morning.”
“Poor Jamie, he almost decked the guy for standing with a chubby sticking out of his board shorts,” Paddy chipped in and I groaned.
“Are you fecking kidding me?” I asked, staring open mouthed that he’s made such a crude observation. Fresh mortification washed over me once I knew there was more to what Jamie had told me. “I’m never going to live this down now, am I?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll make bigger fuck ups at some point and this wee incident will feel tame in comparison,” Paddy took glee in informing me.
“Oh, go on, thanks for the reassurance,” I said sarcastically back to him.
“Right, you’ve all had enough of my girl. Apart from Thanksgiving, she’s mine. If we’re not swimming this morning, how’s about we take a walk in the state park to blow the cobwebs away?” he asked.
“Anything to get out of here and stop everyone thinking about my arse,” I agreed, and everyone laughed again.
Chapter 12
Leaving the others behind, Jamie took me to the lighthouse museum at Montauk Point and we stood by the point staring out at the ocean. From the view and the sound of the waves, I could see why people found water so calming.
“Your family is lovely, Jamie. Catrina told me what you do for her and the boys and I can tell you’re really close.”
“We are. I guess we’re lucky we bonded so well because we’ve had to look out for one another since our parents passed away. She’s a good girl, I’d do anything to support her and her brood. It’s my fault their lives have been turned upside down. Don’t get me wrong, the boys get more than their fair share of girls because of who I am,” he chuckled, then looked a little more seriously. “I just wish Catrina would find someone else that made her happy. She’s still young and she’s been on her own since the twins’ dad left them.”
“Oh, when she said she’d lost her husband, I thought he had died.”
“In some ways, it would have been better if he had,” he quickly remarked.
“Can I be nosy and ask—”
“Nothing exciting,” he said, interrupting me. “He had an affair with a woman at work and the next thing Catrina knew, he’d packed his bags while she was out collecting the boys from school.”
Seeing the tense set of his jaw, and the muscle tick there, told me exactly how