All Roads Lead to Swatragh - Chapter 24

Grace was packing up her things to return to Dublin when she heard Peter's truck on the gravel drive. She ran from her room to put the scones from the day before into the heated oven so they would warm just enough for breakfast and then headed to the front door to meet Peter.

Peter had not come up to the porch yet. He was looking at the roses in the garden. The buds had started to bloom in the mild weather and Peter seemed to be looking for something.

“Where's Grace?” he asked as he turned to see Grace come down the porch stairs. He was looking for the David Austin rose named Grace that he had given to Grace.

“It's still a little small and gets dwarfed by some of the others. It's right here,” Grace pointed as she made sure Peter saw where it was. “By the way, Peter, when I'm gone these roses are going to need to attention. Do you think you are up to making sure they are watered regularly? I have found that they are very thirsty plants.”

“Oh, sure I can do that,” Peter answered and Grace was not even sure he had heard the question. “Look, it has several buds already. Do you think it will bloom soon?”

“I'm not sure about that, it's pretty small. Hey, we need to get into the cottage, or there are going to be some very burnt scones,” Grace had almost forgotten about them.

Peter and Grace headed into the house and to the kitchen. They would sit at a small table in the kitchen instead of the large dining room. Grace pulled the scones out of the over and put them on plates with a scoop of clotted cream to the side. The table already had the whiskey marmalade to go along with the scones. Peter, being familiar with the kitchen from helping Grace heated water for tea and set up the cups at the table.

When they finally sat down they both laughed at how well they worked together and Grace watched Peter close his eyes in joy as he took his first bite of the scone.

“Peter, so I wanted to ask if when you come by running if you would check on the cottage. I can give you a key. I'm not sure if I'll be back in one week, or two.” Grace was not sure how she would feel about all of this once she was back in Dublin, but since the cottage was not going to be sold, it still needed to be looked after.

“Grace, no problem. Just leave a key with Donovan. If I can't make it by, I'm sure he would be more than willing to help. Is there anything that needs to be done?”

“Peter, just the watering of the roses,” Grace knew now that Peter had not heard her before, or was too busy looking for the David Austin rose that he never heard her. She smiled.

“So will you call me and let me know when you will be back?” Peter asked.

“I'll call, but it will probably be two weeks. And I'm going to send you home with the left over scones and a few other perishables that might not make the trip back to Dublin with me.” Grace was trying to get moving and Peter seemed to be stalling.

Finally Grace got up from the table and gathered together items to send with Peter. He got the message, took his package and said his good bye to Grace. As he pulled out of the driveway Grace headed back to her room to finish packing. She was hoping to be ready to leave before noon, so she would not get back to Dublin too late, but she was already running late.

As she opened the front door she saw Donovan heading over. Grace place her bag off to the side and met Donovan on the porch. She explained the plan to have Peter take care of watering the roses and that she planned to be back in about two weekends when she could reassess what she was going to do.

“So no sale for now?” Donovan commented and Grace thought she saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“Not at this point Donovan. I need to make some plans and talk to some people when I'm back in the city. I need to get back to my job on Monday, and take care of things I have let go at home,” Grace explained to Donovan. “In fact, I need to head out pretty soon, so I can have some time this evening to get organized for the coming work week.”

“Aye, I understand, lassie. So you trust Peter to handle these chores? I'll be on him if he lets things go,” Donovan chuckled. “I'll let you head out, but expect to see you soon. Nothin' sadder than an empty cottage that's lookin' for some company.”

Grace give Donovan the extra key, and gave him a gentle hug goodbye. As she loaded her car with a few groceries and her suitcase, she turned to look back at the cottage. It was so inviting from the outside now, and the inside had such a nice warm feeling too. She felt a bit sad as she climbed into the driver's seat, but shook the feeling off as she focused on heading back to Dublin.

It would take at least three hours to get back to Dublin. Grace was happy she lived on the north side of the city so she didn't have to fight too much traffic.