Page 46 of After Indigo Irish Nights
His mate was inside that tiny cottage behind him, he realized, and he felt surprisingly bereft as he left her and walked to his car. Discipline had him leaving, else he endanger his boxing debut and his stake in the butcher shop.
As he drove back to Summercrest, he couldn’t help but notice the world around him looked brighter. Morning blues and greens blazed in the surrounding countryside. The shadows didn’t seem as strong as before. His blood was racing with excitement, both for the fight awaiting him and for the woman he’d left behind.
Declan McGrath had come back fully alive.
CHAPTERTWELVE
The scent of oranges was still present in the cottage when Kathleen awoke to find the white daisies Declan had left scattered on the dining room table.
She made sure Sorcha wasn’t around before she lifted them to her cheek. God, she was going to have a total girl moment. But it was pretty sweet of him, and so unexpected. She needed to think of something to do for him next time. Maybe tomorrow morning.
She hugged herself, the wild possibilities racing through her. She was getting screwy, but she didn’t mind at all. In fact, it felt awesome. She was going to do some great work today.
She went to make coffee, and the orange smell receded over the pungent notes of roast beans and caramel. Several minutes later, she was sipping her coffee when she heard a car brake hard in front of her cottage. Declan? Her skin tingled. No, he’d be at work, wouldn’t he?
When she reached the door and opened it, Ellie stood there. No makeup. Unbrushed hair.
“Declan didn’t come home last night. Did you—?” She blinked knowingly, almost coquettishly.
Kathleen raised her cup of coffee and grinned. “Yep! It seemed stupid to keep fighting it now that I’m staying longer. He agreed.”
Longerwas the word she’d decided to stick with for now.Foreverseemed premature.
Ellie rushed her and wrapped her in a giant hug. “I knew it! You’re lit up like a stained glass window.Morning After Goddess, I’d call it. This is awesome!”
“Come have some coffee.” She gave her best friend a final squeeze. “I’m really glad you came, babe. Last night was colossal for me.”
Ellie pulled out another rickety chair at the small table in the parlor and plopped down. “I know! Brady kept listening for Declan’s car last night, and we finally concluded hehadto be with you. I checked my phone, but you hadn’t texted me. Brady finally heard him come home while it was still dark—”
“Training,” Kathleen filled in.
“But he left almost immediately after showering. You hadn’t texted. Brady actually checked my phone to see. It was so cute. So we went back to sleep. When I got up the second time, I had to dash over here to see how you were doing.”
“Thanks, Mom. Let me get you that coffee.”
Ellie jumped up and strode into the kitchen with her. “You plan on filling me in, yes?”
As she poured the coffee, she found herself grinning the whole time. “It’s what best friends do. Let me start at the beginning.”
“Yes, please.”
When she was finished, Ellie slumped in her chair. “Goodness! I mean I’ve known you a while, but you really do commit all the way once you decide something. I love that about you. I’m glad Declan is equally committed. You both deserve it.”
She liked it too actually, everything from their agreement to be exclusive to their deep dive into intimacy. Asking him to stay the night had been big for her, but she knew this was no fling. “Whatever Sorcha might think or say, we’re still making up our own minds, but I have to admit… It’sreallygood so far, and we’re only just getting started.”
Ellie made a sizzling sound. “That’s so hot! I’m so happy for y’all. I think Brady is too, but he’s still a little worried about Declan. Brother and all.”
“I know. I have them. I’m going to wait to tell mine about us until we’re further along. Robbie already suspects something guy-related is going on. He told me I was too quiet.”
“I won’t say a word,” Ellie said, miming zipping her lips. “I’ve told all of them every piece of news has to come from you directly. You know how sneaky they can be.”
She laughed and then sobered. “Pop seemed to have a sense about how things would be for me here. Don’t freak out when I show you this.”
She pulled out the necklace with her mom’s ring on it and preceded to tell Ellie the rest of the story. By the time she finished, her friend was practically splayed in her chair, sweet tears in her eyes.
“Goodness! There really are a lot of forces helping you and Declan come together. Is that weird or wonderful?”
“A little of both, I think,” she said dryly as the scent of oranges wrapped around her again. “Do you smell that?” She asked out of curiosity because she was still trying to glean Sorcha’s ways.
