Page 76 of Winning Winnie’s Hand

“Blessin’ seniors,” Finn teased, “kissin’ babies. It’s a hard life, so it is.”

Winnie laughed. Had Matthew imagined her eyes lingering on Finn?

“So you play football,” she said, pointing to Cedric. “And Matthew jousts. What do the rest of you do?”

“I lead bus tours ’round Norn Iron,” Finn said.

Winnie narrowed her eyes. “Around where, sorry?”

“Northern Ireland,” Matthew translated.

“Ah, of course.” She looked back to Finn. “That’s where you’re from, then?”

“Right you are,” Finn replied.

“I love your accent, but I’ll be honest…” She paused with a wince. “I’m only catching about a tenth of what you’re saying.”

The group laughed.

“Join the club,” Graham quipped.

“Sorry,” Winnie said with a sheepish grin.

“Ah, no bother,” Finn said with a wave of his hand. “Half o’ what I say isn’t important anyway.”

Then he winked at her again.

Matthew shook his head. What was with these guys? Were they each going to take their turns flirting with the woman? He obviously didn’t have any claim over her, but still. They could have a little decorum.

“And you enjoy leading tours?” she asked, her eyes taking on that same light of interest she had while staring at Cedric.

Looking. Looking at Cedric. Just as she was looking at Finn.

“Aye, it’s a craic every time, so it is,” Finn said. “I get to sing, share me knowledge of Norn Iron, tell tales, and⁠—”

“Be the center of attention,” Matthew finished, “which is your favorite thing to do.”

That wasn’t super nice of him to say, but the lads laughed anyway. Finn flashed him a grin. “Matthew’s only jealous I can capture people’s attention so well. Most people fall asleep the second he starts to drone on about history. I’m sure you’ve been a victim o’ that, Winnie.”

Winnie made the motion of zipping her lips, and his friends laughed again.

“And you, Graham?” she asked next. “What do you do?”

“A bit of everythin’, really,” Graham responded. “Skydivin’ instructor, bagpiper. Overseein’ the Highland Games in my hometown. I just go for whatever strikes my fancy at the time.”

“I love that,” she responded, her smile warm. “Being able to do everything that you want to. It sounds like a dream.”

“It certainly keeps me occupied,” Graham returned.

“That’s enough about us, though,” Finn said as a lull in the conversation returned. “Matthew says you’re a consultant?”

Winnie waved a passive hand in front of her. “Oh, we don’t need to talk about that. Besides, I’m sure you’ve already heard an earful about how I’m ruining his festival.”

Matthew shifted in his seat uncomfortably as his friends exchanged looks and mumbled weak words in the contrary.

Winnie smiled. “It’s okay. You don’t have to lie for him. I’m used to his fussy ways by now.”

Matthew frowned. Fussy? He wasn’t fussy.