Saviour

To the moon and back Part 32

The afternoon turned to evening and the sky turned a beautiful shade of pink the guys returned to the house to get washed and changed for our night out. God only knows how long that would take with only two bathrooms so I decided to stay behind for a while and get ready last. I sat on a rock dipping my feet into the water listening to the birds flying home to their trees singing their evening songs. Liam laid looking at the clouds and having a cigarette an arm tucked under his head.

"This is the life eh Sparrow?" he chuckled blowing a puff of smoke

I smiled at the laid back McAllister it baffled me how someone could be such a hard worker but so chilled at the same time "It's going to be great having you back" he remarked.

"Well I haven't decided anything yet" I ran my fingers through my hair there was still part of me that was considering the move to Phoenix and an even smaller part of me that wanted to stay in New York. Liam got too his feet he stood close towering over me his piercing blue eyes locked on mine and the smell of masculinity surrounding him he took my hand in his "I think I can change your mind Wee birdy."

He lead me up the beach to the exit in the village and on to the road there weren't a lot of cars around this time we wandered through the sleepy village I forgot how beautiful it could look framed by the setting sun behind the mountains.

I walked arm in arm with Liam acknowledging the smiling villagers who stopped to say hello. We came upon Mrs Brennan standing outside the town square waiting on her bus "Good evening Mrs Brennan, How are you" Liam raised his voice to speak to the elderly woman "Awk Liam I didn't see you there love, I'm just heading home now tucking myself in for the night"

A cheeky grin spread across Liam's face "Sure Mrs Brennan I thought you would come dancing with me tonight I bet you still got moves" the sweet lady gave a chuckle as she slapped the Younger McAllister "Always the charmer Liam just like your father, it only seems like wee while ago you were chasing young Thorne here around the village with hearts in your eyes" Liam turned to me speechless and blushing as red as poppies. Mrs Brennan gave another laugh as she elbowed me "that shushed him didn't it, I'm surprised you two sweethearts haven't settled down yet."

My face flamed red Liam almost collapsed laughing he threw his arm around my shoulder crushing me against his ribs "Any day now I'll be popping the question, she can't keep away from me forever" I glared at Liam behind my fake smile I forgot how much of a flirt he could be.

We bid goodnight to Mrs Brennan and continued on down the street I elbowed Liam hard in his side "you can't lie to an old lady." I scolded he gave me a cheeky wink as he stopped again I looked around trying to recognise where we were it was the Gallery.

Liam took out a huge bunch of keys and flicked them carefully giving a satisfied "Ah ha" when he found the long silver key he unlocked the door and lead me inside leaving to find the light switch I stood alone in the lobby looking around. The building felt so sad nothing like how beautiful it had been the night of Mammy's wake no people laughing and chatting, no soft music on piano or strings it felt empty. We toured through the rooms silently I could sense this place had once held so much warmth.

I sat below a beautiful painted portrait of my mother that a visitor to Sheephaven had donated when the gallery was first opened. Liam sat on front of me cross-legged and held my hands in his "Sparrow I know how bad Willow could be, I was there with you through all the ugliness, When you thought the only thing she loved was a bottle of whiskey but inside she was an amazing person she loved everybody and everything and all she really wanted was to be loved back." he looked around the room smiling "You should of seen this place on opening day Willows smile was as bright as the moonlight from that day until just a few months ago when she became too ill to work people came and went everyday falling in love with her art and her stories."