Page 58 of The Past

Despite feeling the lowest I’d ever felt in my life, I had a burst of bravery by taking my bike.I braced for my father to come storming out of the house to pull it away from me, but he clearly didn’t even care enough to watch.Pain welled inside of me so intensely it felt like someone had stabbed me in the chest.I was horrified that a man who clearly had no care for his daughter could cause me such distress, and I muttered to myself to buck up as I straddled my bike.

My legs pedaled on instinct, the wind slicing against my face, my vision blurred with tears I refused to let fall.It wasn’t until I reached their front gate that the weight of it was just too much to bear.

I had no home.

I had nothing but the clothes on my back.

A sob clawed at my throat, but I swallowed it as I raced toward Rory’s cottage.There was smoke coming from the chimney and I threw my bike down just as Paddy would have done.I stumbled up the path, my hands shaking so hard I fumbled with the latch on the gate.My breath came in short, shallow bursts as I forced the door open and lurched inside.

Kathleen stood there, in shock as she took me in.

“Oh, love,” she breathed, her voice thick with concern as she hurried to me.

I crumpled into her arms and she pulled me against her as sobs tore from my chest.I’d never cried like that before—uncontrollable and raw.She murmured something soothing, but I barely heard her over the rush of blood in my ears, the painful hammering of my heart.

“Love… what’s wrong?Did Tommy—”

I shook my head hard.“My father… he… he…” I choked, gripping fistfuls of her sweater.

“Hush now,” she whispered, smoothing a hand over my hair, and I could tell that she knew exactly what had happened.“Rory and I knew this day might come.Yer safe now, sweetheart.We’ve got ye.”

I felt myself being guided into the sitting room, my legs barely working.Kathleen sat me on the couch and squatted before me.I blinked away tears and when more formed, I wiped them away so I could see her.

“I’m going to get Rory.I’ll be right back, yeah?”

I nodded dully and sunk back into the cushions when Kathleen hustled to the door.I stared at the braided wool rug for what seemed like only a few seconds before the door burst open and Rory charged through.

My head swiveled and I took in the mixture of sorrow and rage written all over his face.He didn’t ask what happened.He didn’t need to.He just exhaled heavily, then crossed the room and knelt in front of me, taking my cold hands in his rough, steady ones.

“Did he put his hands on ye?”His voice was low, dangerous.

I shook my head quickly, sniffing.“No.Just words.”

Rory’s jaw ticked, but he nodded, his grip tightening.“Then that’s all they are, Fiona.Words.He might be yer father, but he does not define ye.And he does not get to tell ye who ye are.”

I swallowed hard and nodded.“Where’s Kathleen?”

“I sent her to fetch Tommy,” he said, and that surprised me.This was a family matter and while Rory and Kathleen had welcomed Tommy as my suitor, I was deeply touched Rory would think to include him in this.

Of course, I wanted him here… well, because I loved him.There couldn’t be any doubt—I’d just given up my entire life for the Yank who had stolen my heart.

“We’ll get ye set up right and proper in the guest room.”

“I’d gladly sleep on the floor,” I told my uncle, and he scoffed.I was grateful to have a roof over my head.

“Where’s yer bags?”he asked.

Another crushing stab of pain as I thought of all my beautiful clothes and hair bobs and the racing silks that Kathleen had made for me.All just material things but the loss of them was part of my identity.“He—he wouldn’t even let me take a bag.He threw me out with nothing.”

Rory choked down his fury, muttering curses beneath his breath.“That bastard.I’ll get that straightened out, don’t ye worry.”

Tears welled again, but I fought them back.“Did I make a mistake?”My voice was small, fragile.

Rory’s face softened.“No, lass.Ye made the choice ye had to make.And ye’ll not regret it.”He squeezed my hands.“Ye have a home here for as long as ye need it.Understand?”

I nodded shakily, my breath still uneven.

“Come on… let’s get a spot of tea,” Rory said, taking my hand and pulling me up from the couch.“That’ll fix ye right.”

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