7 Sweets, Begorra Read online

  Gone were the modern offerings of jewelry and sweaters and tourist trinkets. Primitive vendor stands rimmed a dirt pathway; figures in rough, dark clothing milled about. A young girl with blue eyes in a muddy face turned away from Sam and walked toward a man who was selling wood carvings. At his stand, she picked up a small box . . .

  Sam felt her breath catch, a small cry escaping her. The medieval scene vanished.

  “Sam? You okay?”

  She let out a ragged breath, nodding to Beau. She couldn’t explain the fleeting scene or the fact that she somehow felt better about losing the box.

  He kept one arm around her shoulders, the other hand holding the umbrella, as they started back on their walk. Rain sparkled on the cobblestones, rendering everything shiny and new.

  The bookshop came up on their right. O’Shaughnessy’s front window was softly lit now by tiny lights that gave a magical quality to the colorful books on display. Sam noticed that Bridget was changing the selection each day now. A lamp on one of the big display tables inside cast a warm glow through the store, giving it the cozy feel of a home library where you would want to spend all your days. Her mood lightened.

  “It’s changed so much, hasn’t it?” she said to Beau.

  He nodded and gave a smile. “It was your doing. You turned it around.”

  She sighed. “It’s so charming now . . . I wouldn’t mind working here again.”

  He turned and stared at her, a dimple forming as he grinned at her. “Mrs. Cardwell . . . be careful what you wish for . . .”

  What would she wish for? The history behind those mysterious wooden boxes—Sam knew in her heart she wouldn’t rest until she knew it. But their time in Galway was at an end, sadly. She smiled up at Beau and they kissed as the Irish rain became merely a light patter above their heads.

  For Dan, who will always be my travel partner

  on this journey called life.

  A very special thanks to Stephanie Dewey and Ashley Quigley for the pleasure of your company in Galway, and to Elizabeth Grimm for sharing your Irish travels with me as well. I must also give credit to my friend Margaret Norrie who first told me of the Irish Travellers and led me on a quest to learn more about their unique culture. Thank you.

  My thanks go out to Susan Slater; the books are always better with your editorial touches. Shirley Shaw has been a remarkable help to me in catching the gremlins that inevitably sneak into any manuscript, and to Kim Clark thanks for giving it that final read-through.

  And of course to all my readers—I keep writing them for you!

  Discover all of Connie Shelton’s mysteries!

  The Charlie Parker Series

  Deadly Gamble

  Vacations Can Be Murder

  Partnerships Can Be Murder

  Small Towns Can Be Murder

  Memories Can Be Murder

  Honeymoons Can Be Murder

  Reunions Can Be Murder

  Competition Can Be Murder

  Balloons Can Be Murder

  Obsessions Can Be Murder

  Gossip Can Be Murder

  Stardom Can Be Murder

  Phantoms Can Be Murder

  Buried Secrets Can Be Murder (autumn 2013)

  Holidays Can Be Murder - a Christmas novella

  The Samantha Sweet Series

  Sweet Masterpiece

  Sweet’s Sweets

  Sweet Holidays

  Sweet Hearts

  Bitter Sweet

  Sweets Galore

  Sweets, Begorra

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  Sweets, Begorra

  Published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of

  Columbine Publishing Group

  PO Box 416, Angel Fire, NM 87710

  Copyright © 2013 Connie Shelton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places or organizations are unintentional.

  Book layout and design by Secret Staircase Books

  Cover image ©Thye Gn

  First e-book edition: July 2013

  Also published in trade paperback

  First trade paperback edition: July 2013