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Daryl's Irish Destiny

Picnic and a Date

They walked through the house again, Niamh scribbling down notes in a small notebook of things Daryl would need. A big skip to dump the useless and broken things and furniture, cardboard boxes to store all the things that still had some life or use to them so they could be donated and also to box up the things he wanted to keep to take back home with him to the States. They went through room by room again, Niamh pointing out the period features of the old farmhouse that she felt should be restored as they added character to the rooms and the building as a whole.

Daryl told her as they went from room to room that had done some construction work in the past on period buildings in Georgia. He told her about an old plantation he had worked on as a general labourer, doing carpentry, plastering as well as painting and wallpapering. He had enjoyed that job and took pride in his work, she could tell from how he talked about it, describing the sweeping mahogany staircase bannister and the crown mouldings in the dining room he had worked on. “She was a grand ol’ lady that place. Really glad ta see ‘er cared for and restored to ‘er how she woulda looked in ‘er glory days.”

A few hours had passed, they wandered all over the house, peeking in cupboards and behind doors. It was far bigger than any farmhouse Daryl had ever been in, even the ones in Georgia that were a hundred years old. He expected this was due to the sheer size of the family Menzies Robinson had. 5 children from his wife’s first marriage and 4 more from his own. Upstairs there was a large family bathroom, a sitting room and 8 large bedrooms, much larger than bedrooms in modern homes. Downstairs a huge kitchen, scullery and pantry, a large parlour, a good sized dining room, a sunny sitting room, and a library that also served as an office for the owner through the years. The bedrooms were largely empty of anything but the expected bedroom furniture, most of it a hundred years old or more. The rooms that were still in use by his great uncle Sean contained stacks of books and papers and a few of the unused rooms were stacked with unused furniture and rolled up carpets.

Daryl could tell the old place was structurally sound, there was no leaks or damp anywhere but to bring it up to modern standards, he knew he had a big job ahead of him to update the plumbing and electrics. “Do ya think ya could help me fin’ someone who could help me with the bigger jobs?” He asked. “Yes, Daryl.” She made a note of it while he thought about how much he loved to hear her say his name and got another flash of his shower fantasy from this morning and turned from her to carefully adjust himself as his jeans were feeling suddenly too tight.

“Okay.” Niamh said suddenly when she finished scribbling another note. “You hungry?” He nodded and she smiled at him. “Good. I’m starving. Let’s go have that lunch. I saw a lovely big elm tree in the back field that looks like a perfect place to picnic, so it does.” Daryl happily followed her out of the house. They left the front door open for the meantime, letting some of the musty air escape. She collected the meal from her car as well as a thick wool blanket from the boot of her car and they wandered through the tall dry grasses and meadow flowers to the tree in the centre of the field.

Daryl took the blanket from her and stomped the grasses as flat as he could before spreading it out and lounging across one end of the blanket. He looked up at Niamh, waiting for her to join him when he caught her looking at him funny. “What?” he asked, suddenly self-conscious. Niamh swallowed hard and shook her head. “Nothing.” She couldn’t tell him she had the sudden urge to throw herself on top of him and roll around in the tall grass, picnic be damned. She placed the bag in the centre of the blanket and sat on the other side of it from Daryl, pulling ham sandwiches, scotch eggs, apples, carrot sticks and fresh lemonade from the bag, handing items over to Daryl.

He picked up a scotch egg curiously, turning it over in his hands, trying to figure out what it was. “What’s this?” Niamh smiled at him. “That’s a Scotch egg. Its sausage meat wrapped around a hard-boiled egg, breaded and deep fried. They’re delicious…if you like sausage and eggs.” Daryl grunted and took a big bite, chewing thoughtfully. “Not bad.” He finished it off in two more bites and dusted the crumbs from his fingers.

The sandwiches were good, the ham was thick, carved from a roast she had done a few nights earlier and coated in mustard and the bread was as fresh as it could be. Daryl wolfed down two sandwiches quickly, washing them down with the fresh lemonade she had made. He happily ate everything she gave him, watching her surreptitiously through his long fringe of hair as she nibbled on carrot sticks and ate her own sandwich, happily soaking in the warm fragrant breezes and birdsong from the surrounding fields.

“Oh, I nearly forgot! I have some chocolate chip cookies I made on the weekend.” Daryl perked up at the mention of them. His favourite. She reached into the bag and brought out two sealed baggies with cookies in them. She took the smaller bag that contained 2 cookies and handed him the larger bag that contained 6. He looked at her, a question in his eyes. She blushed and suddenly looked down. “I thought you might like them and gave you a few more so you could take them back to the hotel with you tonight to enjoy later.” Her thoughtfulness was already a known part of her character but the blush took him by surprise. He studied her and she found she could not meet his eyes although she could feel them on her.

“Do ya wanna have dinner with me tonigh’?” Daryl suddenly asked, surprising himself as well as her. Her green eyes suddenly met his and he swallowed hard, not sure where that question had come from. It is what he wanted to do though so he just went with it, now that it was out there. “I’d like ta thank ya for all ya’ve done to help.” He explained, trying to take the pressure off a bit while remaining honest with her. She smiled suddenly, a big wide genuine smile that lit up her eyes and Daryl was mesmerised once again.

“You don’t have to, Daryl. A thank you is enough.” She tried to give him an out so he didn’t feel obliged. “I wanna. Lemme take ya out.” His voice was almost surly as he insisted quietly. Then his eyes fell. “Unless ya don’ wanna. Tha’s okay ‘f ya don’.” He mumbled. Niamh saw how serious he was, how keen he was to take her out. She was just as keen to go out with him. “I’d love to, Daryl. Thank you.” He nodded, suddenly giddy but trying not to show it. He rolled onto his back on the wool blanket and let out a big breath that he hadn’t realised he was holding all this time. She smiled as she watched him, he really was painfully shy and sweet. She’d never seen that combination in someone who was so physically attractive, it was a heady combination. Catnip, so he is. Without a doubt.

Notes

Comments

Sweet Jesus carol is amazing!

Loul461 Loul461
12/6/16

So happy when I saw the update at work I just had to read it! And four chapters...bless your heart!! I've been thinking about you of late and when we might hear from you again. Wonderful update as usual, just love Merle, Daryl and Niamh together. And Carol! What an unexpected surprise. Just love her! Can't wait to read more. ;-)

Grimesgirl63 Grimesgirl63
12/6/16

@Tripper
What can I say? I love badass Carol.

Darylfan1969 Darylfan1969
12/6/16

I love the interaction between Merle. Daryl and Niamh, such a good thing got Merle to see what family does for one another.

And wow, this is a new Carol. I look forward to watching her tame the wild beast that is Merle!

Thanks for the awesome update!

Tripper Tripper
12/5/16

4 chapters added.

Darylfan1969 Darylfan1969
12/5/16