In Declan’s old bedroom, Dominic was snoring in the other bed. His mam had insisted the child sleep over as he fell asleep soon after coming back from sightseeing with Caitlin.

Declan lay on his bed, tossing and turning. It had been the hardest thing in the world to walk away from Zoe. But he had to respect her wishes. She was way too important to him to lose her over one night. Both his parents liked her and were looking forward to getting to know her.

* * *

Zoe sat on the side of the canal with the fishing rod but nothing seemed to be attracted to her line. Declan’s dad was quiet. He seemed absorbed in his fishing.

“Penny for them?” he asked after a while.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“I was wondering what you were thinking about. Would it be my son by any chance?”

Zoe’s cheeks flamed. Her eyes darted around but there was no escape.

“You don’t have to talk to me, Zoe but I am happy to listen if you do.”

Zoe smiled at the kindly man. He reminded her of her dad making her feel lonely. She wished he was here to meet Declan and to deal with Jim and…to give her a cuddle.

“I would like to but I feel a bit silly.”

“Never feel like that for expressing your opinions. I love my wife but she can be difficult to be around at times. She just wants Declan to be happy. I am sorry if you feel she is pressurizing you.”

“She isn’t, you both have been very welcoming but I just can’t help wondering how you can be so open to someone who has nothing.”

“Who would that be?” Dave said smiling at her, a look of compassion in his eyes. “Zoe, don’t underestimate yourself. We, the Malone clan, were once a pretty average Irish family. The boys have been successful beyond anyone’s dreams but it has come at a cost. Sure they are financially secure but sometimes it can be difficult living with their fame.”

“Do you mean the constant attention?”

“Yes. I know you haven’t met our youngest son, Adam yet but he and Declan are particularly close. Adam went through some difficult things recently and the press went to town on the converage. It was extremely difficult for Pat to read some of the things they said about her baby.”

“Difficult for you as well, I imagine.”

“You aren’t wrong, Zoe. I wanted to tell the world my son wasn’t like that but between you and me, I wasn’t too sure. Fame and fortune changes people. I mean I know Adam is a great man, all my boys are but they are only human. Having so much money at such a young age can bring it’s own problems.”

“I am so sorry you had to go through all that, Dave.”

“It’s Caitlin I feel most sorry for. She is all over the social media websites like most teenagers, so it was hard for her to read about her brothers. But she learned the hard way that just because something is said online, it doesn’t make it true.”

Zoe sat silently processing what he had said. She had learned a similar lesson.

“You love him, don’t you?”

“I think I do,” she said, finally admitting what had been in her heart for weeks. “I mean we haven’t known each other for very long but…”

“You got that look on your face,” he said, nodding knowingly. “I would say I was worried about your age, but my Patricia was a similar age when we got wed. You have your head on your shoulders. After all you’ve been through you are more mature than most women your age.”

Zoe stayed quiet, not responding to Declan’s father. She wasn’t sure what to say.

“So if that’s not the problem, why are you holding back?”

“Holding back?” she asked.

“I’ve seen the way you look at him. Same way he looks at you. But Declan’s mind is made up. You, well, you seem to still have doubts.”

“He’s a billionaire. Surely you wonder what I can bring to the relationship? I know you haven’t treated me as a gold digger but that’s what the media thinks of me.”

“Who? Those reporters? You don’t let anyone undervalue you Zoe. You bring Declan something he needs. Love, laughter, a sense of belonging. A home. That’s what he needs and wants. None of the rest of it matters. It’s his job.”

“But I’m a mechanic, not some glamor model or actress.”

“Yeah, you are far more useful. How many men can say their daughter-in-law can fix their motor?” Dave smiled, his smile so similar to Declan’s it was uncanny.

“I was in love before. Well I thought I was, it was different to how I feel about Declan. Noah and I were young and we thought we could conquer the world. He was rich and I…. Anyway, his mother disapproved of me and he tried to pay my aunt to adopt Dominic.”

Dave’s eye’s glittered, his expression making her wary. She waited a few seconds for him to say something but he stayed silent.

“As you can see, it didn’t work out between Noah and myself. He said it was too much to take on a child as well as a relationship. At least that is what he should have said, only he let his mother do the talking for him.”

“If it were appropriate, I would hug you close Zoe. I am sorry you had to deal with people like that. I think your father would be extremely proud of the young woman you are and how well you look after your brother.”

Zoe swallowed hard to remove the lump in her throat.

“Look love, as far as me and the missus are concerned you make our lad happy. You are good together and we would be honored if you became part of the Malone family. Dominic too, he is a fantastic child and it’s obvious there is already a strong bond between him and Declan. You love our son and he loves you. That’s all that matters. Now, how about we go home and get something hot to eat? I am famished out here.”

Zoe stared at him. She wanted to say thank you or something more appropriate but she was lost for words. He took her hand in his and squeezed it.

“Why don’t you stop sitting there and get packed up. My stomach thinks my throat has been cut. The missus best have my breakfast ready.”

Zoe smiled and impulsively gave the older man a hug.

“Me too, thank you Dave.”