It was a strange question to ask a total stranger, but then Nan never seemed to run out of questions. When she wanted information, she simply requested it. Riley could honestly say he’d never given the notion much thought. But she deserved an answer. “Sure. Why not? It would probably explain why I’m still single.”

“I don’t remember much about her,” Nan continued. “She had red hair and green eyes and the softest hands. She was an art teacher. Her great-grandparents came from Ireland. I think that’s why she named me Tiernan.”

“It’s a beautiful name. But I’ve never heard it used for a girl. It’s usually a boy’s name.”

“I know,” she said. “I looked it up. I guess she liked the way it sounded.”

“So what else have you planned to see?” he asked.

“Everything in and around Ballykirk,” Nan said.

“And why Ballykirk?”

“Because this is where my mother stayed twenty-seven years ago,” she said.

“I wonder if anyone about town would remember her?” Riley asked.

“I hope so,” she said softly. “I really hope so.”

Her voice was so soft, so filled with faith that he had to fight the impulse to stop the car and pull her into his arms and kiss her again. He’d always acted on his instincts, but this time, Riley decided to let his attraction to her simmer for a time. She’d booked the cottage for ten days.

He had plenty of time to woo her and he intended to take full advantage of any opportunity she offered.

BY THE TIME THEY neared Ballykirk, Nan had decided that Riley Quinn was the sexiest man she’d ever met. It wasn’t only the dark good looks. He had an endearing combination of boyish charm and masculine confidence that she found completely irresistible. Though kissing a stranger was rather scandalous for her usually conservative approach to men, it wasn’t difficult to understand her motives. He was just so kissable.