Claiming Colleen

by BETH KERY

  Chapter Thirteen

  A painful stitch stabbed at Colleen’s side as she and Deidre raced through the Holy Name parking lot, both of them wearing heels and holding hands to improve their balance. Their flight from Reno to Detroit had been delayed four hours because of weather, and now they were running late for Liam’s and Natalie’s dress rehearsal. Brigit had gone ahead and brought the kids with her to the wedding rehearsal, while Deidre and Colleen hurried to get ready.

  Everything in the past twenty-four hours had happened so suddenly, it still felt a little surreal to her. She couldn’t believe she was rushing to Liam’s rehearsal dinner with Deidre in tow. They’d decided to surprise Brigit, Liam and Marc with Deidre’s presence. Colleen didn’t like to think about how either her mother or Deidre would act when they saw each other.

  All of that was nerve-racking enough. But Colleen had to admit to herself that she was nervous and edgy because she was about to see Eric again. Would he be irritated at her for avoiding him all this time? Or would he be relieved? He’d stopped attempting to call her in the past week. Had he given up on trying to apologize for his intentions in seducing her? Was he ready to move on from the whole affair?

  Dashing into the church vestibule, Deidre and she removed their coats and hung them on the rack in the entryway. In the distance, she heard Father Mike calling out instructions.

  Her heart thrummed with dread and excitement as they entered the church. Deidre hadn’t spoken to Brigit since she’d overheard an argument between Brigit and Derry sixteen years ago. In that argument, Derry had confronted Brigit with the fact that given their blood types, Deidre couldn’t be his daughter. Brigit had admitted Derry wasn’t Deidre’s father, although she’d kept the identity of Deidre’s biological father a secret until last summer.

  Now Deidre was back in Harbor Town, and Colleen couldn’t help but worry that all hell was going to break loose for the Kavanaughs—again.

  Despite her worry about Deidre and Brigit, it was Eric’s face she immediately sought out among the small crowd, not her mother’s.

  “Oh, my God,” Deidre whispered without moving her lips. They paused at the back of the church, and the entire wedding party turned to look at them. “Is that Eric? He’s gorgeous.”

  Colleen flushed, hoping fervently the excellent acoustics in the church hadn’t made Deidre whisper carry. Deidre was indeed staring at Eric, and he did indeed look gorgeous, as usual. He wore a black suit, white shirt and pale tie. She hadn’t been able to resist her sister’s encouragements to reveal the truth about the reason for her frequent distractedness and occasional weepiness while they’d been in Tahoe. Now Deidre was privy to the secret workings of her heart. Well…most of them, anyway. There was no way she could convey with words the feelings she had seeing Eric at that moment.

  The wedding party had apparently been practicing the bride’s entrance, because Natalie was holding Eric’s arm and they paused in the center aisle. His gaze fixed on her. Colleen couldn’t interpret his expression. Her heart plummeted to the vicinity of her belly.

  Suddenly, Liam gave a shout, and Marc, Mari, Liam and Natalie were converging on them at the back of the church.

  “I can’t believe it!” Liam said, laughing jubilantly as he hugged Deidre and picked her up, making her shriek in surprise. “You came!”

  “I was wondering if I’d ever see the day,” Marc said a moment later, beaming at Deidre. He gave her a big bear hug. When he glanced over Deidre’s shoulder and saw Colleen standing there, smiling with joy, he reached and pulled her into the embrace. Laughing, Colleen put out an arm for Liam. The Kavanaugh children all engaged in a mutual, clumsy, heartfelt hug. “Do we owe you for this miracle?” Marc asked Colleen. “This is incredible.”

  “I’ll say it is. All four of you together again in Harbor Town. I wondered if I’d ever see it again.”

  They all broke apart and turned at the sound of Brigit’s voice. Brigit stared at her oldest daughter, her expression rapt. The hesitancy mingled with joy Colleen saw on her mother’s face sent a pain through her heart.

  “Deidre. You’ve made me so happy.” She flew to her daughter, arms outstretched. Deidre didn’t speak, just returned the hug, albeit stiffly. When they parted, Colleen saw a film of tears over Deidre’s eyes, but she didn’t allow one to spill.

  Father Mike approached, greeting them enthusiastically. Everyone started talking. Colleen sighed in partial relief. She’d been dreading the moment, unsure of whether or not Deidre would turn a cold shoulder and cut Brigit completely. At least the initial greeting between mother and daughter had passed and gone tolerably well. Brendan and Jenny ran up to hug her. She’d missed them like crazy while she’d been in Tahoe and they’d stayed with their grandmother.

  When she straightened, she realized that while everyone else conversed and made introductions, Eric was watching her with that dark-eyed, knowing look that always seemed to pierce right through her.

  She licked her lower lip nervously. She should say hello, at least. No casual greeting seemed to fit the mixed anxiety, uncertainty and pleasure she experienced at seeing him again, though. He looked tense. Deidre had suggested—very delicately—while they’d been in Tahoe that Colleen may have been a tad defensive in not allowing Eric to fully explain himself. Was Deidre right? Was he angry? Concerned? Or was he completely immune to her now that he’d met his personal challenge of seducing her?

  He took a step toward her, and her heart jumped into her throat.

  “Okay, everyone, let’s get back to business!” Father Mike called out, herding them back toward the front of the church.

  Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for the next forty-five minutes to find out what Eric had been planning to say to her as Father Mike led them through the wedding proceedings. She kept stealing glances at him and occasionally caught him looking at her, but his expression gave her no clues as to what he was thinking or feeling. After they’d finished with rehearsal, she saw Natalie draw her brother aside and speak to him. Liam joined them. Eric nodded and approached Deidre. She became distracted when Brendan asked for permission for he and Jenny to ride to the restaurant with Eric.

  “Eric wants us to,” Brendan insisted when she demurred. “We’re giving Lucy to Uncle Liam and Natalie after dinner tonight.”

  “Lucy is going to be in the parking lot, waiting for Natalie and Uncle Liam when they leave,” Jenny said, brimming over with enthusiasm. Between the excitement of giving Lucy and the thrill of her flower-girl duties tomorrow, Colleen seriously doubted her girl would sleep well tonight.

  A little later, she watched Eric leave with Brendan and Jenny. Everyone was trickling out of the church, leaving for the rehearsal dinner at Bistro Campagne.

  “Natalie wants me to be in the wedding,” Deidre said later as Colleen drove over to the restaurant.

  “She does? That’s a wonderful idea.”

  Deidre laughed. “I told her I couldn’t. I don’t have a dress to wear. But it was sweet of her to ask. I like her…and Eric, too. I can see what you meant about him. Tall, dark and smoldering. What eyes,” Deidre added, giving Colleen a sideways, significant glance from the passenger seat.

  She frowned, ignoring Deidre’s mischievous expression.

  “Is that what Eric was talking to you about? Being in the wedding?”

  “In part,” Deidre said lightly. “He also asked about you.”

  “He did?” she asked, nearly missing her turn. “What did he say?”

  “He asked if you were doing all right. He said you looked pale. I told him he should ask you himself how you were. I said that all I knew was that you were up most nights in Tahoe, crying your eyes out.”

  “You didn’t,” Colleen declared in an ominous tone.

  “Okay, I didn’t,” Deidre said, smiling angelically. “I’d never, you know that. I’ve got your back. Still…you guys should talk. I saw the way he was staring at you. If you seriously believe he was just interested in you for a challenge, you’re n
uts.”

  Colleen willed her breathing to calm and changed the subject. “Of course you should be in the wedding. You’re Liam’s sister. I have a dress you can wear. Mari and I chose our own dresses—we just made sure the colors and fabric matched in a general sense. I have another dark red dress you can borrow. I’ll do some alterations on it tomorrow.”

  They chatted about the possibility until they entered Bistro Campagne and were shown to a reserved room. The wedding party was seated at the front of the room at a long table. Both Colleen and Natalie—who had also just arrived—insisted that Deidre sit at the head table. Colleen was chatting with Deidre and Mari when she noticed Eric enter the room with the kids. She waved at Jenny and Brendan as they sat down at a table with Brigit. Eric sat at the opposite end of the head table. Colleen watched him unobtrusively as he talked and joked with Marc.

  “Colleen, did you have a chance to come up with something for your speech for the toast?” Mari asked her in a confidential tone.

  She stared at Mari in horror. Oh my God, the toast. They’d agreed that Marc and Mari, as best man and matron of honor, would give the toast at the wedding reception, but Eric and Colleen were responsible for the rehearsal dinner traditional toasts to the bride and groom.

  Deidre noticed her horrified expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “I thought there was a chance you’d forgotten, with everything going on, and you being away.” Mari glanced at Deidre. “She’s supposed to give the toast tonight.”

  Colleen took a large gulp of water. How could she have forgotten?

  “Why don’t you let me do it?” Deidre offered blithely.

  “You wouldn’t mind winging it?” Colleen asked in amazement as a waiter filled their champagne glasses. Most of the guests were seated now.

  Deidre winked. “You’re talking to an army nurse, remember? Making do with what I’ve got and winging it are my specialties.”

  She was relieved to pass the duty on to Deidre. Colleen was used to public speaking engagements for The Family Center, but she liked to have something prepared. The sound of silver tinkling on crystal rung out, and the guests ceased their chatter. Eric stood to make his toast. Colleen was glad to have a valid excuse to stare at him.

  “I was given the singular privilege tonight to toast the future happiness of this special couple, Liam and Natalie. I suppose I’m not the typical brother of the bride. I’ve also had the honor to be a father figure to Natalie and to watch her grow into the amazing young woman you see before you today.”

  Colleen found Eric’s deep, resonant voice and striking good looks compelling, and she could tell by the many rapt faces in the room, she wasn’t the only one.

  “I won’t lie to you and say that I didn’t have my doubts when Natalie and Liam announced their engagement. I was cynical that anyone could be good enough for my little sister. She’s one of the kindest people I know, generous to a fault. A braver soul never existed. There are things she’s endured that would have broken me,” he said, meeting Natalie’s misty stare. He looked at Liam. “If you’ve won such a worthy heart, then you must deserve her. Is it possible for two people to fall so quickly for one another, to know with absolute, unquestionable certainty that this person is who they were meant to spend the rest of their lives with?” Colleen’s heart skipped a beat when Eric’s dark-eyed gaze landed on her and seemed to burn right down to her spirit. “Until recently, I would have said no. I would have denied cynicism and said I was just being rational in doubting the possibility of falling head over heels in love so fast, so completely. I would have said someone who claimed such a thing was not only foolish, but naive.”

  He paused, and Colleen held her breath.

  “But tonight I gladly admit I was the one who was a naive fool for doubting. Love comes in many ways, if the trusting heart only lets it in.” He raised his glass to the bride and groom. “Join me in toasting happiness and prosperity to a couple who taught this fool a measure of wisdom. To Natalie and Liam, may your brave, trusting hearts continue to beat strong and united for a lifetime.”

  “To Natalie and Liam,” the guests murmured before they drank. Eric sat down to enthusiastic applause. The guests demanded a kiss by tinkling their goblets, which Liam and Natalie gladly provided.

  “Great, how am I going to follow such a terrific toast?” Deidre grumbled. She did a double take when she glanced at Colleen’s face. She smiled fondly and dried off Colleen’s cheeks with her napkin. “I told you he wasn’t just interested in a challenge.”

  Colleen sniffed and leaned forward, glancing down the table, only to see that Eric was doing the same toward her. While she hadn’t been able to read him at all earlier, currently he was an open book. His expression was a little pained, as though he entreated for her understanding.

  Maybe it was just the lighting, or maybe it was wishful thinking, but there was something in his dark eyes that looked a lot like love. She recalled his speech.

  Love comes in many ways, if the trusting heart only lets it in.

  He smiled. She beamed back at him.

  It really was amazing, the way they could read each other’s minds at times.

  An hour and a half later, Colleen caught Eric’s gaze and he gave a small nod. She entered the restaurant again and found a quiet, deserted hallway. The entire party had gone out into the parking lot to witness Liam and Natalie’s reactions to Lucy. Eric, Brigit, Brendan and Jenny had done an amazing job. Lucy was perched on a trailer, awaiting her new owners, looking shiny and grand, and decked out in festive lights and a banner with Liam and Natalie’s names. Brendan and Jenny were practically bursting with pride. Luckily, the photographer caught some excellent photos of Liam’s and Natalie’s disbelieving, ecstatic expressions when they realized the beautiful antique speedboat was theirs.

  Colleen paused in the dim hallway, her heart beating more rapidly by the second. It swelled against her breastbone when she caught sight of Eric approaching her a few seconds later.

  “You outdid yourself with Lucy,” she said quietly when he approached and stood before her, looking somber.

  “Natalie and Liam seemed happy with her.”

  “Of course. They’re ecstatic,” Colleen murmured. The last thing she wanted was to have a casual conversation with him, but she was having difficulty finding the words. She started when he reached out and touched her cheek. Their gazes met.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  “No. I’m sorry,” she said in a rush. “I’m the one who got so defensive.”

  “I said it all wrong that afternoon.”

  “You said it very right tonight, during the toast.”

  “I meant it, every word. You, more than anything, changed my mind about the possibility of falling so hard and fast,” he murmured. He moved his hand and stroked her hair, making her scalp tingle with excitement. He stepped closer, and Colleen breathed in his scent. Tears burned her eyelids at the familiar, cherished smell of clean skin, spice and Eric.

  “That day when I dropped you off, I was only trying to tell you that I felt guilty for my original intention, where you were concerned. The way I feel about you now is nothing like what I felt then. It’s true, I initially was interested in you for more…surface reasons, but that doesn’t mean a guy can’t change his mind, does it?”

  “No. It doesn’t.”

  He placed his hands on both sides of her jaw. “I would never hurt you,” he said with fervent solemnity. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I promise I’ll be faithful.”

  She shook her head, and tears spilled out of her eyes. How had he known that this was at the very heart of her doubt and fear?

  “I believe you,” she said, meaning it with all her heart.

  “I love you,” he said intently next to her mouth. “I love your kids. I love the whole package. Tell me what you said in the car the other day was true.”

  “I said a good many things I wish you’d forget,” Colleen said in a trembling voice, “but if you mea
n the part where I said I’d fallen in love with you, that part couldn’t have been truer.”

  His grin managed to be tender and triumphant at once. Colleen sighed when he pressed his long, hard body against hers. “I’ve been falling in love with you ever since Brendan’s surgery. No…since Sunset Beach, even if I didn’t recognize the symptoms then. If you’d have let me near you, I probably would have begun this delicate procedure a long time ago.”

  Colleen laughed, and more tears of happiness spilled down her cheeks, wetting his fingers. “That would have been far too easy.”

  “Maybe so,” he said quietly, his mouth just inches from hers. “Our way of doing things was pretty damn perfect.”

  “At least it wasn’t a boring romance,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his.

  “Life with you is never going to be boring,” Eric muttered before he dipped his head, claiming Colleen utterly and completely with a searing kiss.

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss Deidre Kavanaugh’s story,

  the next book in Beth Kery’s HOME TO HARBOR TOWN miniseries

  Coming soon to Harlequin Special Edition

  ISBN: 9781459223172

  Copyright © 2012 by Beth Kery

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.