Page 73 of Beside Golden Irish Fields
Kade smiled mysteriously. “She’s helping you and Carrick come together. You’re a good match, it seems.”
Her legs turned to mush under her. She thought about sitting down on her stool, but she didn’t want to give in to that kind of weakness. “Are you saying she’s trying to make us a couple?”
“That’s the story, and so it is,” Kade said, rubbing Majestic behind the ears. “I agree with her. He’s been changing for the good since you came, and from the painting I can see on your pad there, you seem to be doing pretty well yourself. It happens that way. We change when love comes into our lives—in whatever form that might be.”
The orange scent saturated her again, and she gave in to the urge to sit down after all. “Love? We’re not…”
“Perhaps not yet, but you’re on the way.” Kade knelt in the grass beside her. “Angie, I tried to tell you before, but let me be plain. Carrick didn’t spray any lambs after the shearing. He let it go. He lethergo. It was a miracle to behold after these three long tortured years.”
She clutched her knees as the impact of what he was saying rolled over her. “But he doesn’t want to be with me any more than I do him.”
Even as she said it, she knew it wasn’t true. They both wanted to be together. Badly.
“I’m no expert, but it’s said I am a canny fellow. I think things between you are changing. But, of course, you two would know best.”
“He doesn’t want anything long-term, and when I get involved with a man, I…” God, it was hard to say out loud. “I lose myself. I lost my voice painting, but I lost so much more.”
Kade looked over his shoulder then, and she noted Megan and Ollie were returning. “I only have a moment, and certainly you can talk to me anytime… But I think the changes in both of you might have altered those other patterns. Of course, you can always dip your toes in the shallow end of the pool and see what comes of it.”
The shallow end?
“You mean kiss him?” Oh, God, what would that be like?
Good, really good, Angie.
His lips twitched. “I think you can figure it out. Your family is upon us. Come to the farm if you want to talk more, but from where I’m standing, I think you’re finally able to hear what’s inside you. Same goes with Carrick.”
He turned, leaving her in shock.
“Well, now!” Kade called out, closing the distance between him and her family. “Duke’s favorite new friend is up and about. Ready for some fun? I thought we could take a stroll on Bets’ private beach this morning. It’s low tide and a glorious day. Of course, we’ll have to mind the jellyfish that wash up on the sand, but there might be some new sea glass to discover. Do you like sea glass, Megan?”
Her sister glanced her way, holding a wiggling Duke in her arms. There was a question in her brown eyes before she made a show of trying to smile. “I haven’t hunted for sea glass since we were kids and used to play along the Chesapeake.”
“That’s a giant bay close to where we used to live in the States,” Ollie told Kade. “I want to hunt for sea glass. Mom hasn’t let me go to the beach much.”
“The tide was high, Ollie,” Megan said, clutching Duke closer to her, “and it’s very rocky.”
“Irish beaches are notoriously rocky, which is what made Ireland one of the biggest homes in the world for pirates. What do you say about that, Ollie?”
“Cool! I love pirates.”
“Well, get settled on Winston and let’s go,” Kade said, helping her nephew with his helmet before lifting him up onto his horse. “Megan, if you’d like to ride Majestic today, she’d be over the moon with happiness.”
She shook her head. “No, I’ll walk with you and hold Duke.”
“Fine! Let’s go then. Angie, it was a pleasure to chat with you this morning. Have a wonderful time painting. You’ll remember what I said?”
Like she could forget. “Thanks for coming by, Kade. Have a great ride.”
Ollie and Kade started to walk off. Megan turned to her. “Do you want to go with us? I haven’t seen you much.”
Her chest tightened. “I’ve been on a roll painting and with the new classes. I have a show coming up, remember?”
The excuses were heavy on her tongue, but she didn’t want to break her momentum. Megan had progressed these last weeks too, and a big part of that was because she hadn’t leaned on Angie. Or so Angie liked to think.
Her sister started walking away, Duke barking softly, but then she stopped and looked over her shoulder. “What did Kade mean? Before? What did he say to you?”
Angie had never felt she was allowed to have secrets. To have things she kept just for herself. Old anger surged. When they were kids, Megan had broken the lock on her diary. God, that had happened ages ago, but thinking of it still lit a flame within her. Her mom had told her it was no big deal. They were sisters. They weren’t supposed to have secrets.
