Page 74 of Tempting Irish

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Abreeze rustlesthrough the trees around me as I walk down the path towards the old oak down by the lough. After spending the entire morning ravaging my body in the shower, the bed, and even the kitchen, Owen finally left a couple hours ago to take care of hiserrands.

I’m happy for the few minutesalone.

Time to process everything that’shappened.

I pull myself up to the first heavy branch of the oak, straddling it before getting my balance, and continuing to climb up further, tomybranch. No one ever dared climb this high when we were younger,so I claimedit.

Marked my name ontrunk.

I smile when I find the letters I’d cut deep into thebark.

BEATRICE.

My fingers trace the indented wood, tears pricking the backs of my eyes for the child I once was. The girl who was fearless. Who dreamed big. And believed in fairytales and happy everafters.

I shift so that my back is against the trunk, glancing out across the dark green waters of thelough.

“He’s going to break your heart,” I mumble tomyself.

But what if hedoesn’t?

What if he wantsmore?

I close my eyes, wanting to believe that it’s possible. Because one thing is certain –I want to comehome.

My cell rings in my backpocket.

An unknown number pops up. Normally, I wouldn’t answer it, especially considering the roaming costs here, but for some reason I do. And I regret it the second I hear the voice on the otherend.

“MissWalsh?”

Hangup.

“This is Ted Davidson. I’m an attorney with Carson andKemp.”

My stomach drops, fear sitting heavy like a boulder in mygut.

“I’m calling in regard toFrank-”

I end the call, my fingers trembling, and close my eyes, placing my phone against my forehead andcursing.

It’s the same lawyer who sent me a letter a few months back. All these years, I managed to keep my number blocked, my address unknown. But he’s found me –Frank.

I have no idea what Frank’s motives are for calling a lawyer, but I know they can’t begood.

Is it even possible for him to charge me now, after all this time? If the police report he filed is still open, then probably. And what if they charge me as an adult? I was still a minor when I took the car, but that doesn’t alwaysmatter.

God. I’mscrewed.

Owen’s right. I amtrouble.

Am I really willing to bring that trouble here?To Emer and Agnus. To the band.ToOwen.

“Jeezus, Bree.” Owen’s voice bellows below me. “What the hell are ye doing upthere?”

Nerves already frayed, I startle, and my phone falls from mygrasp.

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