The Proposal: Aoife O'Reilly series

By Erin Bowlen

An Amazon Top 10 Best-Selling Series
Perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy, Jessica Redland, and Katie Fforde!

In this sweet and romantic tale from Erin Bowlen, bestselling author of the Aoife O'Reilly series, Brendan McCaffrey just wants to propose to his girlfriend, Molly, but the odds seem stacked against him. This short story, originally published in Tales from Ballyclara, is now available as a standalone ebook.

Brendan McCaffrey has known that Molly is his one and only soulmate ever since they were children. No one has doubted they would eventually get married, and with the two of them about to open a pub with Brendan's best friend, Michael Flanagan, Brendan thinks there's no better time than right now to settle down. However, the universe seems to have other plans. If Brendan thought happily ever after was going to come easily to him, he couldn't be more wrong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Bowlen
• Release date: Feb 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798224437542

Book preview

Table of Contents

The Proposal

About the Author

The Proposal

Erin Bowlen

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author of this novel.

This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2022 Erin Bowlen

All rights reserved.

For Daddy

Who taught me (almost) everything I know about storytelling

Well, what do ye think? Brendan held out the black velvet engagement ring box for his best friend, Michael Flanagan, to look at.

What are you asking him for? Michael doesn't know the first thing about engagement rings. Have you forgotten how long Eliza Kennedy's been waiting for hers? Mara Flanagan, Michael's sister, asked.

Cute, sis. That's real gas, that is, Michael retorted as his sister smirked at him.

Oh, look at that! It's gorgeous! Molly's going to love it, Mara exclaimed, ignoring her younger brother.

And Brendan should take your word because? her brother asked. It's not like you've been married, or even engaged, for that matter.

Brendan and Mara both shot him a dirty look.

Because she's my best friend and I think I know a little something about the kind of engagement ring she'd like, considering that we happen to talk about these things. Some of the stereotypes about girls happen to be right, ye know. Mara tossed the towel she'd been using to wipe down the pint glasses over her shoulder and put her hands on her hips, challenging her brother to make another smart-ass comment.

Eejit! Brendan hissed at him, giving him a gentle slap on the back of the head.

Ouch! Michael complained. I'm sorry, sis. You're right. I thought we were doing a bit, and I took it too far.

Mara didn't reply, but looked less like she wanted to kill him.

Here, Brendan. Let me take a look at that, Jack O'Shaughnessy, one of their regular punters, said, breaking up