“Ready?” I asked her. She nodded. I wasn’t ready at all. I already missed her, even though we hadn’t even parted yet, and it was an unusual feeling for me. I’d never missed a woman before, but I knew once she was gone, I’d be feeling miserable like the day we parted at the airport, two months ago. This time I knew she was coming back, but it still hurt to have to say goodbye. My bed, my apartment, my whole life would feel empty without her.
“Are you okay?” Kathleen asked, staring at me with her head tilted to the side and a frown creasing her brow.
I nodded and smiled. “I’m going to miss you, Icy.”
She chuckled and patted a hand on my cheek. “You’ll be all right, New Yorker. I’ll be back in no time and I’ll never leave you again.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” And then she sealed it with a sweet kiss that all but melted my heart.
On the way to the hospital parking lot, where we’d be meeting David, Kathleen fumbled in the seat for most of the time. She’d told me she wanted to find the perfect moment to tell everyone about Declan, so we agreed we’d pass off her recovery as an inexplicable miracle for the time being.
I got out of the car and scooped her up in my arms as if she still needed me to, just to keep up the pretense.
“Do you need me to take the wheelchair out of the trunk?” David asked, when I didn’t make a move to do it. When Kathleen and I exchanged glances and shook our heads simultaneously, he frowned.
So I put her down and she stood on her own two feet. The color drained from his face, and I could swear he was about to pass out.
“Holy cow!” he said, looking at Kathleen, his mouth agape. I couldn’t tell if he was shocked, surprised or happy. Kathleen smiled at him and opened her arms, taking a tentative step forward. She couldn’t get much farther, though, because his arms encircled her a moment later. I was afraid he was going to suffocate her.
“How…? When…? What…?” he stammered, unable to form a sentence. Kathleen gave a hearty laugh. He pulled away and looked down at her, his eyes glistening with tears.
“It’s… a sort of miracle.” Kathleen’s voice trembled a little.
“Yes, I guess it is. It must be.” He brushed a hand across his face. “Mum will pass out when she sees you, sis.”
She smiled. “I’m not totally okay, yet. Colin will help me get back in shape, though. He said I’ll be as good as new in no time.” She took a step back, and leaned against me. I wrapped an arm around her, knowing she needed my support since her legs must be starting to feel tired. “I’ve decided to move back to Dublin. I’m going to ask Annie if I can live with her again. I can’t stay so far away from the man I love.”
He winced at her words, and I figured it must be because he still didn’t trust me. He probably thought I’d end up hurting his sister. I couldn’t really blame him, though. If he knew about my past and all the hearts I’d broken with my behavior, he wouldn’t let me near her. I was different now, though.
“Why don’t we go for a coffee together, so you can get to know Colin before you feel the urge to break his legs?” She took a step forward and punched his arm playfully.
I knew Kathleen wanted his blessing—even more than she wanted her parents’. She’d told me about how they’d gotten over the misunderstanding that had kept them apart all these years, and how much it had meant to her. And I wanted him to think I was good enough for his sister.
“Fine, I’ll give you a chance to woo me, Byrne. I still haven’t decided whether I can trust you around my sister.”
Kathleen rolled her eyes. “David.”
“What? I’m just looking out for my sister.” Then he turned to stare, actually, to glare at me. “And I do hope you’re wise enough to use protection, Byrne, ’cause if you get my little sister pregnant, I swear I’ll smash your head in.”
I couldn’t help laughing heartily at that. “Don’t worry, David. I’ve always been a wise man.” Then I wrapped my arms around Kathleen’s waist and pulled her with her back against my chest. “Besides, I’d be only too happy to have your sister’s babies.”
Kathleen gasped and stiffened in my arms. I squeezed her a bit more and placed a soft kiss on the side of her neck. When I raised my gaze to meet David’s, I was expecting to see a murderous expression on his face, but I was shocked to see he was smiling. Smiling?
“That’s a good answer,” David said, folding his arms across his chest. “Was just testing if you were serious enough about dating my sister. It’s not like I could let her near some lad who only wanted to play with her feelings.” I laughed and David grinned. He patted my shoulder and extended a hand toward me. “No hard feelings, then?”
I took his hand and shook it firmly. “No hard feelings, David.”
Kathleen looked at David then up at me with eyes wide with surprise. I couldn’t help thinking this had to be just another little miracle, and wondered if Declan had played a part in this. Only yesterday David had threatened to break my legs, and now he was treating me like a friend. I hoped that, from now on, things would look up for all of us.
Chapter 39
Kathleen
August 4
Weeks went flying by after that day. With Colin’s help I quickly regained the strength and muscle tone I’d lost and was able to walk normally by the end of July, as if nothing ever happened.
Since moving back to Dublin and into my old house with Annie, I’d started thinking seriously about my future and the career plans I’d made before the accident. Thanks to David, I’d started writing a fortnightly column for the Galway University newspaper. Colin found me a second job, since one of his new patients worked for a famous Dublin-based magazine, and they were looking for freelance writers for a weekly column.
In-between articles I’d started writing my book, just like I’d promised Declan I would. It took me a while to get into the right state of mind because I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, but after gaining more confidence, I spent most of my free time writing. It took me less than a month to finish the first draft and Colin was very supportive through all of it, especially when I was moody, cranky or weepy. When I was stuck and had writer’s block he’d wrap me in his arms, kiss my face and tell me he had faith in me, and it always worked miracles.
I hadn’t met his grandmother yet, although when I started working on my novel he’d begun going up to see her every weekend. I’d decided to hold off joining him until I could walk properly, as I wanted to make a good first impression.
I’d started getting paranoid lately because I was afraid she wouldn’t like me or would want someone better for her grandson. It was silly and Colin kept reassuring me she’d love me, but I still felt a little uneasy at the thought. And, even though he’d already met my family when I was in hospital, Colin hadn’t officially met them as my boyfriend yet, and I knew he was dreading the moment, too. In the end, we’d both decided to delay the official introductions for a few more weeks, or maybe months.
But fate decided for us when we were snuggled up in his bed one Saturday morning. I’d finished the first draft a couple of days prior and decided to take at least a couple of weeks off before revising the whole manuscript again. Obviously, this meant I was spending all my free time with Colin. His phone rang, and he kept his arm around me while picking up the phone from the nightstand. After a moment, though, he abruptly sat up and went pale.
“What? When?” he shouted into the phone, raking his hand through his hair. “Where is she now? I’ll get in the car straight away.”
He sprang out of bed and picked up his clothes, running toward the bathroom.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. He snapped out of it and turned toward me with a frown as if he’d forgotten I was even there.
“I need to go up to Gran’s. I’m taking a shower and leaving immediately afterward. You can sleep in and go home whenever you’re ready.”
“Colin!” I called after him, jumping out of bed. “Wait a minute. What happened?” He turned a
round and stared at me with glistening eyes. My heart skipped a beat at the thought something might have happened to his grandmother.
He’ll have to walk over my dead body if he thinks I’ll let him drive up there by himself.
“Gran’s been taken to hospital,” he said, clearing his throat when his voice cracked. I gasped. “That was my aunt Geraldine on the phone; she told me not to worry, that she only has a broken leg, but I’m not sure if she was being honest or hiding something. I need to get there immediately.”
“I’m going with you.” I raised my hand and brushed his cheek. “How could you even think I’d let you drive all the way up there alone, in the state you’re in?”
He nodded and the frown temporarily left his face, although I knew he was a bundle of nerves. I’d be there to help him through, just like he’d been there for me through the worst months of my life. It was my turn to take care of him now.
Three hours later we were walking through the sliding doors of Sligo General Hospital, my hand squeezing his in silent reassurance. We bumped into his aunt Geraldine while she was coming down the corridor from his grandmother’s room. When I asked about his other relatives in Ireland, he’d told me his father’s sisters had never really forgiven their brother for leaving the country and their parents and, since his grandfather had died, their relationship with his father had become even colder. When Colin moved in with his grandmother they’d been wary about him for a while, but then he’d proven to be useful since he took care of his grandmother and that left a little more free time for them.
The way his aunt greeted him now, I understood he wasn’t exaggerating. Her hazel eyes skittered over me briefly, barely acknowledging my presence, and then she left, saying she had to go home and get her mother some stuff she’d need for the night.
His aunt left, and Colin pulled me behind him, taking giant strides toward his grandmother’s room. This wasn’t how I’d envisioned meeting her and for a moment, I was tempted to wait outside while he checked on her. But then Colin looked at me just before he opened the door and the fear in his eyes made the decision for me. I squeezed his hand and smiled, nodding as if to reassure him I wasn’t going anywhere.
Chapter 40
Colin
August 4
“What the hell were you thinking?” I shouted, as I walked into the hospital room and saw Gran lying in bed, paler than usual, her left leg in traction.
“No need to shout, Colin; I’m not deaf. Come give me a hug, son.” In spite of my outburst she was all smiles, and it made my blood boil.
“Shit, Gran, you could’ve killed yourself!”
“Watch your mouth, now,” she said in the stern tone she used when I was younger and she wanted me to understand she meant business.
I rolled my eyes. Then she smiled and opened her arms, urging me to hug her. In spite of the anger and worry squeezing my stomach, I bent down and obliged.
“I’m still alive, as you can see,” she whispered in my ear, in her own very grandmotherly way—the same way she used to talk to me when I was in one of my dark moments and missed my parents. “A broken leg is not such a big deal. I’ll be as right as rain in no time.” She pushed me back and grinned at me; she looked more like Gran now, and I smiled back.
“No, you won’t. A broken leg won’t heal that quickly at your age. I’ll have to take care of you now. You know, if you wanted me to come home, you could simply have said it. There was no need for you to jump out a window.” I let out an exaggerated sigh, and took her hand in both of mine.
She chuckled, then looked over my shoulder. Her face lit up when her gaze landed on Kathleen. I knew she was dying to meet her. In the past couple of months she had begged me to bring her over; she wanted to meet the one girl who’d been able to stick around for so long. I was sure Gran somehow understood I had finally met The One.
I turned back and motioned for Kathleen to come in. She bit her bottom lip nervously. She’d been worried sick that Gran wouldn’t like her; my attempts at convincing her she’d be wrong had failed.
“Gran, this is Kathleen.” I took Kathleen’s hand and pulled her close to me so I could wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Kathleen, this is my featherbrained grandmother, who still thinks she can climb ladders at eighty-two.”
I winked at her and Kathleen chuckled. Gran scowled, then she took Kathleen’s hand and looked up with a big smile. Yep, she definitely approved of my girlfriend. Problem solved.
“I’m so happy to meet you at last, dear,” Gran said, a broad smile still on her face. “I’m sorry we’ve had to meet like this. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble, in spite of what Colin says.”
Kathleen smiled coyly at her and her cheeks turned pink. She was so cute I wanted to take her face in my hands and kiss her, but I knew it would make things even more awkward, so I restrained.
“I’m glad to meet you too, Mrs. Byrne. I’m sorry for not coming up sooner.”
Gran shook her head and squeezed Kathleen’s hand a little more. “Please, just call me Doreen. Let’s not be so formal now you’re part of the family.”
Kathleen smiled and her cheeks turned even redder. Man, I was dying to kiss her. I needed to brush her lips and hold her in my arms as much as I needed my next breath.
“Okay, since I’ve ascertained you look fine enough, I guess we can leave for a bit. You made us skip breakfast and now I feel like I’m gonna pass out any minute,” I said, scowling at Gran. She chuckled in response. “We’ll be back later today, okay?”
She nodded and took my hand in both of hers. It had always been her way of showing me she loved me, the way she used to comfort me when I was feeling down since she knew I wasn’t the hugging type. The simple display of affection still managed to warm my heart, even though I was all grown up now.
“I’m fine, Colin. You shouldn’t have come all the way in such a rush. I’d told Geraldine not to frighten you, but I guess she didn’t listen to me.”
I shrugged. “She told me you’d only a broken leg, but I wanted to check on you myself. I can’t deny she scared the shit out of me, though.”
She frowned, giving me a menacing glance. I grinned. “Yeah, I know. Watch your mouth,” I added, before she could say it. “Gee, Gran, I’m thirty. You should stop scolding me for cursing, you know?”
She giggled like a little girl, and I couldn’t stop myself from dreading the moment she’d be gone forever. This woman had been the most important presence in my life for fourteen years and I wasn’t ready to let her go. I didn’t think I would ever be.
I shook the thought away when she took Kathleen’s hand again, saying goodbye and thanking her for coming to visit. Then she opened her arms to me and I gave her a hug. Just before releasing me she whispered something in my ear and I flinched, pulling back in disbelief.
“Gran!” I shouted with my mouth agape. She shrugged, unfazed.
“Although you might not believe it, I was young too, and I don’t think things have changed much over the years,” she said, as if it was the most normal conversation we’d ever had.
“We’re leaving,” I said abruptly, ushering Kathleen out of the room with an arm around her waist. Gran giggles followed us outside.
As soon as we moved away from her room, Kathleen took my hand and tugged it. “What did she say?”
I shrugged, as if to downplay Gran’s words. “She asked me to move the bed away from the wall and to keep the noise down,” I said, looking straight ahead of me. When she didn’t reply, I looked down at her and smiled at the confused frown wrinkling her brow. “She said she doesn’t want the neighbors to hear the headboard banging all night and think she’s having a wild time.”
This time the meaning reached her brain, and her cheeks turned a bright cherry red. She looked up at me with her mouth agape and wide eyes, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“See? What did I tell you about her? Not your ordinary cute old lady.”
“Does she really think we would… um… I mean
… we would… in her house?”
I chuckled and pulled her against my chest, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. “Yeah, she does; and we don’t want to disappoint a poor old lady, do we?”
“Forget it,” she said, pushing me away. I laughed and let her walk ahead of me, just to let her off the hook for a moment. Though I was going to change her mind before the day was through, if it was the last thing I did.
Chapter 41
Kathleen
August 10
Colin’s grandmother was released from the hospital the following day, but she had to be wheeled around in a chair. She couldn’t be left alone, but Colin’s aunts wouldn’t be able to leave their families, and Colin hadn’t managed to get a week off work. So I’d volunteered to stay with her, since I could work anywhere on the planet, as long as I could email the files. Besides, spending some time with his grandmother would be an opportunity to help me get to know a little about Colin’s past.
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Doreen was very active. If I’d thought she’d spend her days in bed while I was working on my articles and revising my book, I’d been wrong. We were either in the kitchen or the back garden, and I learned lots of things about cooking and gardening from her. I’d never really had a talent for either of those things, but after five days with her, I’d discovered two new passions and I was quite pleased with myself.
Doreen was easy to be around and easy to like. Just like Colin had told me, I quickly discovered she wasn’t your ordinary old lady; she was a very strong, open-minded woman, who had gone through a lot, losing her husband to cancer and then her son and daughter-in-law in a plane crash a few years later. Still, she was still standing on her feet and loving every day she was given. She was a survivor and I looked at her with awe.
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