Read Online Love and Mistletoe by Zara Keane - Free Book Online

with a broken heart.”
    She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “When he dumps me for someone more suitable, you mean?”
    Her brother shook his head. “I was thinking more along the lines of when you screw it up and he ends the relationship.”
    His words burned like acid on her skin. She drew back, wounded. “Why does everyone in this town have such a low opinion of me?”
    “They don’t.” Ruairí took her shoulders. “I don’t.”
    “And
I
certainly don’t,” said a very familiar Donegal-accented voice.
    Sharon jerked round to see Brian standing at the counter, looking both ridiculous and ridiculously sexy in a glam rock vampire costume. “It was all Nora Fitzgerald had left at her suit-rental shop,” he said by way of explanation. “I left it a little late to book my costume.”
    Beside Brian stood her sister Marcella, resplendent in a leprechaun outfit, complete with a pot of gold around her already substantial waist. She’d even dyed the tips of her spiky peroxide hair green for the occasion. “Hey, Sharon. I promised lover boy here”—a jerk of a thumb in Brian’s direction—“that I’d release you from your duties.”
    Brian gave an exaggerated shrug of his shoulders. “What can I say? We met in Nora’s costume section. I persuaded Marcella to work your shift and let me spirit you into the night.”
    “In other words, he bribed me,” Marcella said cheerily, maneuvering her wide costume behind the counter. “He’s doubling my wage for the night. More moolah for my Christmas trip away with Máire. How could I refuse?”
    “Well, well,” Sharon teased. “I thought you were above resorting to bribery, Garda Glenn.”
    His gaze roved her naughty witch ensemble. “Cute outfit, but you’re going to need a warm coat for where we’re going.”
    “I’m intrigued.” She grabbed her coat from a hook beneath the counter and turned to her brother. “See you, bro. Have fun rescuing glasses from Marcella’s costume.”
    “Oy,” her sister said. “Don’t be so cheeky. It took a lot of time and effort to look this bad.”
    Ruairí winked at Sharon. “I’ll safeguard the glasses. Have a nice evening.”
    “I intend to have a nice
night
.” Sharon whacked Brian on the behind. “Right, Garda Glenn?”
    His wicked grin sent a tingle down her spine. “Let’s see how enthusiastic you are when you see
where
we’re going.”

Chapter Eight
    FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, Brian pulled into his designated parking space outside Ballybeg Garda Station. It was lashing rain outside, causing rivulets of water to cascade down the windshield. He cast an impish grin at his passenger. “What do you think of our secret destination?”
    Sharon let out a hoot of laughter. “What’s this? Are you arresting me again?”
    “Nope. Impromptu Halloween party.”
    He climbed out of the car and held the passenger door open for her. “Mind the puddle. The car park is riddled with pot holes.”
    Inside the station, buckets had been placed at strategic intervals to catch water dripping from the numerous leaks in the roof. The two reserve policemen on duty had made a halfhearted attempt to decorate the lobby. Between the leaks and the damp in the walls, they didn’t need to make much effort to turn the place into a house of horrors.
    Sharon surveyed the mess. “This place is a total sinkhole. It’s worse every time I’m here.”
    “I know. Thankfully, this is a good-bye-and-good-riddance party.”
    Her step faltered. “You’re… leaving?”
    “Yeah. Finally.” He steered her in the direction of the station’s tiny recreation room, past the leering stare of the older reserve
garda
. “I can’t wait to get out of this dump.”
    “I see,” her tone was subdued, her body language stiff, her heavily made-up face crumpled.
    Wait, she doesn’t think
… “Sharon, no.” They were outside his office, so he pulled her inside and shut the door. “I’m not leaving Ballybeg.”
    She stared at him through fake