Page 56 of The Past

“Aye.”

The breeze stirred between us, lifting strands of her hair, making the moment feel like something stolen from time.I lifted her hand to my lips, pressing a slow kiss to her knuckles.“You’re beyond special, Fi.”

I wanted to say more—wanted to tell her I couldn’t imagine walking away from this, that I didn’t want whatever this was to end when summer did.But I didn’t.

Not yet.

Instead, I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a moment before whispering, “We should probably head back before Rory starts wondering where you are.”

While he was more than happy to give me a bit of an extended lunch to go on a ride with Fiona, I have a bunch of work waiting for me at the training center.

She sighed, nodding reluctantly.“Aye.Don’t want them thinking we’re happier than hogs in slop.”

I laughed, swatting her playfully as I stood and offered her a hand.“C’mon, smart mouth.”

We packed up, mounted our horses, and started back toward Glenhaven.

CHAPTER 19

Fiona

Iwas flyinghigh after my lunch with Tommy and my head was in the clouds as I rode my bike from the training center back to the house.I’d promised Siobhan we could give each other manicures this afternoon, which was something we sometimes did when we had nothing else better to do with our summer days.But truthfully, I knew she wanted to gossip about Tommy and was dying to hear about our lunch date.I was glad to have her at my side because it felt good to share the joy with someone about the way my heart was feeling.

Chuckling at Paddy’s bike carelessly tossed once again on the ground, I put my kickstand down and ensured it was stable.I traipsed into the side door, intent to nick a Coca-Cola from the icebox.I grabbed the small, contoured glass bottle that these little miracles of fizzy sweet drink came in and popped off the cap.I took a sip and it felt like America to me.My mother was addicted to them since she discovered the drinks at the grocer, and we always had them on hand.

I looked at the bottle with the white Coca-Cola logo and wondered if I would ever drink one of these while standing in America.

In Kentucky, to be precise, next to Tommy.Because wasn’t that what I should be aspiring to?If my feelings were true, and I believed they were, then my life was with him.And his life was back at Blackburn Farms.

Was I willing to leave my home, my country and my family for the man?

Even though I knew things were moving fast, and I was young at heart and in my mind, there was a deep pulling in my gut that told me we’d be together forever.

So yes… I’d sip a Coca-Cola in Kentucky one day, if the creek didn’t rise.

I had a smile on my face as I made my way from the kitchen to the staircase, assuming that Siobhan was in my room with polishes all laid out for us to try, but instantly, I felt something was wrong.

The air felt thick, charged, like the moments before a thunderstorm when everything goes eerily still.I glanced down the hall into the sitting room and noticed my mother in there, perched on the edge of the sofa, hands folded tightly in her lap.Her eyes lifted to mine, sharp with warning, and my skin prickled.

I barely had time to register the unease settling in my stomach before a voice rang out from within the sitting room, low and furious.“Fiona.Come here.Now.”

My father was in there too, and I could tell by the tone of his voice that I was in trouble.

I froze.My heart thudded, heavy and slow, but I forced myself to move, to set down my bottle of Coca-Cola and walk toward the pocket doors that were three-quarters open.The weight of my mother’s silence pressed against my back, but I didn’t look at her as I stepped inside.

I was shocked see Siobhan and Paddy on the love seat.Both sat on the edges, spines stiff and hands in their laps, mimicking our mother.Siobhan’s expression was fearful and Paddy looked blank-eyed back at me.

Seamus Conlan stood by the hearth, a storm contained in the rigid set of his shoulders.His face was red, his jaw clenched so tight I could see a muscle twitch, and I felt the fury vibrating off him.

“What,” he bit out, his voice like the crack of a whip, “have ye done?”

My hands shook as I laced my fingers together, placing them before me demurely, but I lifted my chin in a rare display of confidence before this intimidating man.“I don’t know what ye mean.”

His palm slammed against the wooden mantel, causing a framed photo to pitch sideways, but it didn’t fall to the ground.From the corner of my eye, I saw Paddy jerk and I flinched despite myself.

“Don’t play coy with me, girl,” my da snarled.“Brian’s father came to see me today.Seemed surprised I hadn’t yet spoken to ye about yer… decision.”His lip curled around the word like it was bitter to the tongue.“Imagine my embarrassment when I had to hear it from him that my own daughter humiliated the Kavanaghs.”

I swallowed hard, steadying my breath.“I didn’t humiliate anyone.”

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