Page 53 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
“I would agree,” Kade answered, making her gaze fly to his. “Ghosts typically don’t waste their time.”
“I see.” She looked down at her hands. “Kade, I have a question, and it’s really important. Can you seeanyghost?”
He felt a ripple of something in his midsection, already knowing what she was going to ask, and his heart broke for her. “I can. For me, seeing them is like seeing people.”
She clutched the edge of the table. “Can you see Tyson?” Her voice was hoarse.
“No, love,” he said softly. “Sorcha told me he’s gone on to whatever was next for him. I wish I could tell you what that is, but it’s beyond my knowing and Sorcha’s as well.”
She rubbed the tip of her nose before whispering, “He didn’t love us enough…to help us be happy.”
He could not bear the pain this thought caused her. “Megan, love, that’s not something you can know. I can’t tell you why Sorcha is here helping and Tyson isn’t. Best let it go,mo chroí.”
Her hand went to her nape as she exhaled audibly, as if learning her new shape. “You’re right. This was a happy day. Eoghan and I did fundraising for the fair, and I got my hair cut, and I came to ask you—”
“About a date.” He took her hand now and traced the back of it with his thumb. “I gladly accept. Where would you like to go?”
“Anywhere really.” Her brown eyes seemed larger in her face as she laced their fingers together. “Jamie suddenly volunteered to take Ollie with him, so I’m free.”
Kade chuckled. “Sorcha’s doing, and I thanked her for it. Come. How about we take a drive up to the Lost Valley of Uggool? There’s a nice seafood place on the water that I think you might like.”
“The Lost Valley of what?”
“Uggool,” he said slowly. “It’s past Westport, but well worth the drive. Since Sorcha seems to have arranged someone to mind Ollie.”
“That would be great. I should change maybe, right? Oh, I forgot to show you my new shirt.”
She turned shy as she unzipped the windbreaker. He smiled when he caught sight of the pale pink cotton with the messageMagic Me. “Ah, it looks grand on you. The perfect accompaniment for your new look. Me, though,Ishould change.” He squeezed her hand before standing up. “Sorcha’s orders. Do you want me to pick you up? I won’t be long.”
He might shave though, to please her. Their first kiss was hovering in the air, and he wanted to make it as memorable as possible.
“No, I’ll sit here with Duke while you’re gone if that’s all right.” She lifted the Jack Russell onto her lap. “It’s been a big day so far.”
Walking toward her, he cupped the back of her neck. “The grandest, and it’s not over yet.”
When she looked up at him, hope and longing shone in her eyes. He kissed her forehead and went with his instincts.
“Now that you know about a ghost helping us, there’s one more thing you should know.” He rubbed her nape gently and swore he heard her purr. “I sensed the woman I’d been waiting for was coming two months before you arrived. Megan, that woman is you. I’ll go change now.”
He started to whistle after caressing her skin one last time. As he was leaving the shed, he heard her call his name. Turning around, he was struck by the smile on her face as much as how young she looked, curled up in the chair with his dog nestled against her.
“Kade, I’m glad it’s me.”
“That makes two of us, love.”
He left the shed whistling, his hands tucked into his pockets. She was starting to accept what was between them. The signs were as clear as the stormy portent of gray clouds when they came in from the sea.
The pounding of horse hooves broke into his reverie, and when he looked up, an angry black stallion was bearing him down, its eyes wild with fear. His father was racing after it, shouting at the top of his lungs.
Kade set his weight and threw his hands up in the air, trying to halt the stallion.
“Kade!” Megan yelled.
The horse’s eyes grew wilder at her cry, and he lowered his head with a snort as he thundered toward Kade.
All was lost.
Moments before the horse would ram him, Sorcha appeared in front of the stallion, making it rear and squeal. That brief break gave Kade the time he needed to throw himself to the side. His father called out his name as he hit the ground hard and rolled twice. The wind the stallion was carrying rushed over him as it raced past, carrying the scent of oranges. He pushed off the damp earth with a hand and looked over his shoulder. Megan was huddled against the shed’s doorway, Duke clutched in her arms. Safe.
