Page 74 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
“Megan.”
She knew that voice. Her heart expanded in her chest, hearing it. When she turned her head, Kade was smiling softly at her.
“I need to borrow you for a moment,” he said, crossing to where her cousin was working not too far away. “Liam, can you mind Ollie for a while?”
Her cousin nodded. “Sure thing. Ollie, do you want a mop or a towel?”
“A mop!” He raced over and took the mop Liam extended to him, immediately starting in on the floor.
Kade walked to her and put his hand on her back, rubbing that special spot he always found. “How are you faring?”
“Better.” She made sure to nod.
Gazing at her in that patient way of his, he said, “Come with me.”
She didn’t know where he wanted to take her. All she knew is she wanted to go.
But when he led her past the volunteers and they exited the building, she gave him a pointed look. “The mess is back there.”
“It’ll hold.” He led her to his jeep and opened the door. “Trust me.”
Since she did, she climbed into the passenger seat. The fields didn’t seem as bright as they drove to his farm. Even the sight of Keegan O’Malley’s cow with its message—Smile—couldn’t lighten her spirits.
When they reached his yard, Duke’s excited yips pierced her heart. When she opened the car door, she picked him up and hugged him to her chest. Tears filled her eyes as he rained dog kisses all over her face.
“When you’re ready, come to the shed,” Kade said, striding off in that direction.
After crying softly, she got out and followed him. When she reached the shed, she gasped. A pottery wheel sat where he’d once kept a small table and chairs. Her apron, bucket, and tools rested on the chair, and there was a bag of clay on the floor.
“I thought you might work here for a time.” His brown eyes were warm and understanding. “I know it’s not optimal, but you’ll want to find your center again. I thought it might be easier here, with me and those you love around you. Including this new little guy. I’ve been saving him for the right moment, and I felt like this was it.”
He opened the door to the tack room, and a baby Jack Russell terrier tumbled out. He gave a squeak and then found his feet. Kade scooped the little puppy up and walked over to her. She put Duke down and reached for the precious bundle in his arms.
“He’s only just arrived and needs training, but he’s a dear one,” Kade said, stroking his head gently. “You and Ollie have talked about having a dog yourselves, and while I know Duke loves you and you him, he has too many children who’d be sad to see him go to your cottage, as much as I’d love to give him to you. But this little fella is from Duke, so I thought you’d like him.”
“I love him.” She raised her head to gaze at him. “Oh, Kade, this is the best present ever. And on the best and worst day ever.”
“I know, love,” he said, embracing her and the puppy gently. “I thought you might try finding your center. Today. Megan, I can’t imagine how hurt you are, but I know you won’t let this make you forget how far you’ve come. If you’d like, your new puppy, Duke, the horses, and me would all like to help.”
She glanced over at the pottery wheel. She wasscaredof it. What if today’s accident had rocked her center again? But Kade’s insight was, as usual, spot on. She had to do what scared her. Face the wheel again and start over. “You’re right. I need to do this, and I’m glad you—all of you—are around me.”
After nuzzling the puppy one last time, she strode over to the wheel and situated herself. The light was as different as the location. Duke padded over and lay at her feet. Kade pulled a chair from the tack room and sat in front of her, holding the puppy. She grabbed a ball of clay and shaped it into a ball. Without a wedging table, she used the wheel. Then she glanced into her bucket. He’d filled it with water. Of course. That was Kade, always anticipating people’s needs. She pressed the ball into the center of the wheel and turned it on, fitting her hands around the disc after wetting them. She immediately felt it wobble.
“Breathe, Megan.” His voice was as soft as a whisper. “You know what to do.”
She closed her eyes. The scent of hay filled her nose, a comforting smell. She felt Duke stretch at her feet and the puppy gave a sweet sigh. Sweat trailed down her back despite the cool air, but her hands started to come alive. She let go of the tension in her shoulders and cracked her neck. Her back was a little tight, so she wiggled her hips. She hugged the clay, imagining she was hugging herself. It needed patience and love, just like she did.
Today had been hard. But it had also been beautiful. She’d made love with Kade. He’d given her a puppy and an art space in his shed, next to him and the ponies she loved.
Her heart filled with warmth, and a spurt of joy shot through her as the clay centered. Yes, she could still do this. Nothing was going to stop her ever again. Especially not herself.
She opened the clay and started to pull up the sides, wetting her hands as needed. Feeling the sides wanting to lay down, she let them. They were too tired to stand up all the way. They wanted to recline. Like she did. She formed the V-shaped bowl with easy passes, keeping it simple. She didn’t have the energy to over-effort anything. When she opened her eyes, she marveled at its beauty.
She’d done it.
Barry’s words came to mind.You find your center. Again and again. That’s life. That’s the journey.
Maybe it was being around Kade, but she could feel a piece of her soul settle. Another soul bowl. This one she would make sure would grace her table.
Opening her eyes, she found Kade smiling softly at her, the puppy chewing on a stick he must have found. “Ah, love, I believe all is still right with the world.”
She stared at the man she loved. The man she’d made love to.
“Yes, it is.”
