Page 101 of Once upon a Summer Night

“What did I miss?” Colin asked, strolling in next to James.

Everyone began talking at once, and Ellie dropped her head into her arms. She couldn’t wait for the quiet of her flat again.

Chapter 17

She’d been back for twelve days.

Twelve days of indoor plumbing, coffee, air conditioning, and electricity. Hot showers replaced tepid baths by the fire; long skirts replaced medieval gowns; modern-day books replaced chatting around the sewing basket.

Resignation replaced hope.

Ellie tossed her book onto a side table and glanced out of the open picture window facing the bay. Boats bobbed in the water as the late afternoon sunlight glinted off the gentle waves. The church bell tolled in the distance, informing her it was close to dinnertime. A cool breeze, hinting at autumn, lifted a few strands of her hair away from her face.

She used to feel happy here, in this little house on the bay. It used to give her the courage to be the real her—the one who loved to laugh, who enjoyed all that life had to offer, albeit from a little bit of a distance. At one point, not so very long ago, she wanted to feel brave and happy.

She’d been brave…but she was definitely not happy.

Acutely miserable? Miserably heartbroken?Yes to all of it. She put herself on the line, laid her heart bare for Colin, but itturned out that he wasn’t ready for her bravery. He didn’t want what she offered.

The Untouchable. He had a well-earned reputation. How many other women had tried to win his heart? She should’ve known that someone as unsophisticated and introverted as she was wouldn’t be able to draw Colin into the world of love.

When Reilly and Colin had brought them back, Ellie wasted no time. She ordered a car, packed her things at Reilly’s house, and retreated to her safe place, which didn’t feel quite so safe anymore. She was only a fifteen-minute drive away, but at least Colin didn’t know where to find her. Gwen just gave her a hug and told her she would be in Ireland for another few days before heading back home.

Gwen knew she needed time alone, because Gwen got her. It was why they were, and would always be, the best of friends.

The unobtrusive guard that followed her to her aunt’s house by the sea, then watched over the house and her from a small distance, also seemed to understand her need for space. Or perhaps that was just Gwen’s doing again.

Her cell phone rang, making her jump. She fumbled for it and squinted at the caller ID.

“Hi, Winnie.”

“I was beginning to worry at your long silence, my love. But it was smart of you to go underground for a bit. The paparazzi have finally decamped from my garden. How are you? Where are you? How are things going?”

Ellie absent-mindedly dragged the charm on her necklace back and forth against the chain. “I’m well. I’m in Ireland, at your house.”

“Well, that’s wonderful! I know how you love it there. You sound distant, dear. Would you like some company?”

“No thanks,” she murmured. “I’m taking some time to process things.”

Winnie’s voice was delighted. “Then you’ve met someone you like?”

A ghost of a smile touched Ellie’s lips, and she forced some cheerfulness into her tone. “I think so. I went on a date with him and he seemed quite wonderful. I think we’re going to go out again.”

“That does sound promising. Do you need anything from home? The furor around your press conference has died down so very much that nary a camera has been seen around your flat for days. You might still want to stay in Ireland for a few more days, but the wind, as it always does, is shifting in a new direction.”

The press conference seemed a lifetime ago. A different life, with a different person. “That’s good news.”

“It is, dear, it is! I also checked on your bookshop. Things seem to be running well; that Norman is very capable. He was a good hire.”

Ellie frowned. She hadn’t thought about her bookshop once in the days since she’d returned.

“Eleanor? Are you there?”

“Sorry, Winnie, I have a bad connection. Thanks for checking on the bookshop for me. I’m glad Norman is holding down the fort.”

“Go eat something, dear. You sound tired, so go to bed early tonight, too. I’ll talk with you tomorrow.”

They disconnected, and Ellie stared at the phone in her hand, nonplussed.

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