Intractable Souls : Book 1 of the Bound for Ireland Series

by Tricia Daniels

  Book 1 in the Bound for Ireland Series:

  Intractable Souls

  Sometimes the one you need, is exactly the one you want! You only have to choose to believe.

  By Tricia Daniels

  Smashwords Edition

  Intractable Souls : Book 1 in the Bound for Ireland Series

  Copyright © 2013 Tricia Daniels

  ISBN: 9781301112692

  All rights reserved

  All Rights Reserved

  This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. The Licensed Art Material is being used for illustrative purposes only; any person depicted in the Licensed Art Material, is a model.

  Warning:

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the F.B.I. and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.”

  Warning:

  This book contains material that is only suitable for mature readers. It contains scenes of a sexual nature between two or more consenting adults.

  Remember:

  This book is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author's imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places, is purely coincidental.

  Dedication:

  To my sons, who tolerated the missed dinners, the messy house and did their own laundry (Even before I started writing). You are beyond a doubt the best thing to ever happen in my life. And to my Mom, for ignoring my moods and loving me unconditionally, even when I wasn't at my best.

  Miss you Dad, with all my heart.

  To all my friends and cousins who put up with the endless tears, laughter and anxiety. I love you all from the west coast to the east coast and everyone close to home.

  Prologue

  Ireland, September 1923. The gentle breeze brings along with it, the aroma of crisp fall air and the fragrant green apples from the nearby orchard. Sunshine cloaks the chill in the air on the first day of the brand new school year. The sounds of laughter and children playing fill the yard of the small Irish country school. Younger boys rush around rough housing, while the girls in their pinafores gather on the other side of yard.

  The older boys organize a game of baseball over on the grass. The older girls hover close by, whispering and giggling, most likely about the older boys. In particular, the two who have taken charge of organizing the game, Owen Jamison and his brother, Liam. After all, their father owns half the nearby town, so no one would dare question their authority. The Jamison family can afford the finer things in these times, but their father insists that the boys work in either the factory or the stables, wherever they’re needed. Hard work and a healthy appetite over the summer has turned them into two very handsome, well toned and muscular young men. Something that has not gone unnoticed among the girls.

  The Jamison brothers proclaim themselves as captains and choose their teams from the scruffy bunch of hopefuls standing in front of them. Getting down to the final two, Owen scrutinizes them closely. Tough choice. The blacksmith’s son, whose one eye always seems to be pointing in the opposite direction of the other… or the new kid, a rather small, fragile looking boy wearing ill-fitting clothes that look like they belong to an older, much larger brother. There is something strange about the boy that Owen can’t seem to put his finger on. He squints, looking back and forth between them while he considers his choice. “New kid, you’re with me.” Liam groans at the choice and Owen flashes him a grin, rubbing it in.

  The red headed boy with all the freckles snickers at the new boy. Making fun of his clothes and the fact that he’s not wearing any shoes. Owen defends him several times, but the teasing continues throughout the entire game. “He throws like a girl.” He shouts, holding his stomach in laughter, during one of the plays. Silently the new boy glares at him with something wicked brewing in his eyes.

  The score is close, making Owen’s competitive nature bubble to the surface. The bases are loaded and the new kid is up to bat. Owen’s muscles tense, nervous about his abilities. Liam’s team relaxes and starts to chirp him, certain that they have no worries. “Easy Out!” Someone hollers from the outfield. “Everybody move in.” The first two pitches are low and wide and he steps back away from rock that marks the make shift home plate. Owen stands along the first base line, his arms crossed and his stance widened with anxiety. The new kid looks over at him, nods his head and smiles.

  On the next pitch, he leans in and cracks the bat, the sound as he connects with the ball, echoes across the field. Faster than a greyhound, he’s around the bases, chasing the other runners as they try to get home. All the boys stand frozen, their heads looking upwards at the ball that is long gone, over the fence and into the nearby farmer’s field.

  Liam’s mouth hangs open as defeat greets him through his brother’s victorious eyes and devilish smirk. The school bell rings, signaling the end of the game. Cursing under his breath, Liam and the rest of the boys head towards the schoolhouse. Stopping to put on his shoes, the new kid lags behind. Owen is just entering the doorway when he hears the red headed farm boy begin to tease him again. He shakes his head, preparing to take his seat when he hears the piercing sound of girls screaming and the boys start to chant. “FIGHT!”

  Everyone pushes, trying to get back outside to watch. Owen, being one of the older, stronger boys, shoulders past everyone to get to the action. Through the dusty cloud of dirt that has been thrown up from the scuffle he finds the red head, flat on his back. Holding him down, the new kid unleashes a few quick punches, causing his nose to bleed. Owen crosses his arms in front of him and feels a small amount of satisfaction in that the obnoxious farm boy deserves what he’s getting. He has no patience for bullies. When the teacher screeches for it to stop, she looks to Owen, giving him a silent plea to step in and break up the fight.

  Wrapping his thickset biceps around the small boy from behind, he lifts him with little effort and pulls him away. Trying to break free with all his might, he makes Owen tighten his grip around his chest and hold him back. A strange expression washes over Owen’s face as he drags him off to the side. What the? Something is not quite right. Liam pulls the red headed farm boy to his feet. Brushing off the dirt, he mutters one more insult.

  Rage rushes through the new boy like a wild fire. Lunging for him again, he struggles to get free of the muscular cage that has him trapped. Owen pulls him back and restrains him, holding his small body firmly against his chest. As the boy struggles beneath him, Owen notices something very wrong and confusion crosses his face again.

  Demanding that they return to school, the teacher raises an unimpressed eyebrow at the new boy as Owen releases him. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, behind everyone else, Owen grabs his elbow from behind and pulls him around the side of the building, where no one can see or hear. Looking him over suspiciously, he makes the new kid blush. “Is there something you want to tell me?” Owen is going to address the issue immediately.

  “No!” He looks down at the ground, avoiding eye contact.

  Owen shakes his head. “Hmmm.” Stepping forward, he stands directly in front of him, watching the nervous reaction as he lifts his hand and lightly brushes it across his chest. Raising his eyebrows, his expression confirms his suspicio
ns. There may be many things that Owen doesn’t know about the world around him, but he most certainly knows the difference between boys and girls. Underneath these loose fitting boys clothing there is definitely a girl. A curvy, voluptuous girl at that! Gently brushing his thumb across the swell of her breast, he watches her face turn red and her chest rise and fall with a sharp intake of breath. Owen’s pants start to bulge at her reaction to him. Pressing his finger under her chin he forces her to look up into his meadow green eyes, and a ghost of a smile haunts his face. “Are you sure?” Reaching up he removes her baseball cap, letting her long curls fall to her shoulders, and gives her a playful boyish grin. Closing her eyes, she lets out a heavy breath. Owen runs his fingers through her hair, smoothing through the tangles and pulling it forward. “Now why would you want to hide such beautiful hair?”

  Shrugging, she forces herself to look up at him, her hazel eyes locked to his. He stares at her for a long time with a strange, unsettling smile on his face. “You know, girls aren’t supposed to run around in bare feet and play baseball.”

  “I know.” Frozen where she stands, she wishes he would take his hand off her breast and back up a bit. His muscular body is way too close and she can’t think straight while he’s touching her.

  “You’ve got one hell of a swing.” Chuckling, he moves his hand from her breast and scratches his head, looking at her curiously. “How does a girl, no bigger than a jack rabbit, hit a ball like that?”

  “Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t hit a baseball.” She challenges.

  “True. Girls shouldn’t be starting fights with boys either.”

  She grits her teeth and folds her arms in front of her. “He made me angry.”

  Owen laughs. “What’s your name?”

  She looks away. Why does she feel nervous around him? “Elizabeth O’Connor.”

  Handing her back her hat, he grins. “Well, Elizabeth O’Connor, my name is Owen Jamison and I have a feeling, that you and I are going to be really good friends.

  Owen was right. He and Elizabeth become very good friends. Inseparable. Wherever Elizabeth finds herself, Owen is always there by her side. Liam often teases his brother about it, taunting him by singing childish rhymes about boys and girls kissing. It earns him more than a few ass kickings. Usually from Elizabeth.

  It doesn’t matter if it’s fishing, studying, music, sports or taking turns reading aloud from a book he has chosen from his father’s library while sitting underneath the large tree in the front yard. They are perfect for each other. Equals in every way. Best friends. The universe has brought them together for a reason.

  Winter makes it much more difficult to spend time together but Owen finds ways to be with her whenever he can. He doesn’t feel complete when they’re apart. When spring arrives, it finds Elizabeth transformed into a beautiful, feminine, young woman. Brushing her hair and leaving it down across her shoulders, wearing dresses and even shoes. Sunny days are spent together laying in the meadow and talking about their dreams or walking along the river holding hands and feeding the birds. Owen is silently aware of the changes in Elizabeth and the subtle shift taking place in their relationship. Elizabeth, well she feels her friendship grow into something that feels suspiciously like love.

  As the end of the school year nears, the senior students prepare for the graduation ball. It’s the social event of the year and all the girls are aflutter about it. All the girls, except for Elizabeth O’Connor. She’s brought it up a few times with Owen, but he really doesn’t seem interested in talking about it. If Owen isn’t interested in attending, then she won’t go either.

  Staying after class, Owen helps the teacher with a few chores. Hearing a loud ruckus from outside, he looks up to see Liam appear at the doorway, winded. “You better come quick.”

  Moving towards the doorway, Owen shows his concern. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s your girl. She’s gotten herself into another brawl.”

  Owen curses and takes off at a quick pace towards the crowd. Pushing his way through the cheering group of onlookers, he finds Elizabeth scuffling with one of the girls. Immediately he intervenes. “Elizabeth!” Grabbing her, he pulls her to the side, almost tossing her. Stepping in front of her, he stalls her attack. She can’t catch her breath and her hands are trembling from the adrenaline that’s still pulsing through her veins like a violent storm. “What’s going on?” He demands.

  With teeth clenched tightly and murder in her eyes, she can’t speak. Grabbing her by the arm, he tugs her forcefully to the side of the building and away from the crowd. “Would you calm down and tell me what happened?”

  She closes her eyes, embarrassed to tell him the source of her fury. “That girl has been telling everyone that YOU are escorting her to the ball.” Looking up, she waits for his denial and sees regret in his eyes. She feels a sharp jab straight into her heart. “Owen? Are you taking her to the ball?”

  Stepping forward he wipes a small trickle of blood from her lip with his thumb. “Well, she asked me if I would escort her.” His voice is quiet, calm. In complete contrast to the rage that’s boiling inside Elizabeth right now.

  Devastated by what she hears, her hands clench tightly into fists at her side. “And what did you say?”

  “I said I’d think about it.” Taking another step forward, he closes the rest of the distance between them.

  Her body tenses and she takes a deep breath. “You said you’d think about it?” Her voice is heavy with an angry tone.

  “Yes.”

  A perfectly executed right cross connects with his jaw and snaps his head back. Grimacing, he shakes his head and spits out a small amount of blood. Wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he tries to figure out just what the ever-loving-hell is going on. She stares at him, her hands trembling at her side, and before he can say anything, she takes off running, disappearing around the building. Cursing, he starts after her, colliding with his brother as he rounds the corner.

  “Hey, what the hell’s going on? She looks pretty upset.”

  “I’ll explain later. I have to catch up to her. Cover for me at home, will ya?” Taking off in a fast run, Owen doesn’t wait for an answer.

  “Elizabeth! Wait!” He hollers angrily as he quickly closes the distance between them.

  “Go away!” She tries to hold back the tears. “I don’t want to talk to you.” Angry, exhausted and completely heartbroken she starts to slow down. Needing to take a rest, she heads towards their favorite tree at the fork in the road. Pulling off her shoes while she walks, she throws them angrily at the thick base of the trunk.

  Closing the gap in no time, he grabs her arm as she reaches the shade of the tree. “Christ, would you wait. I want to talk to you.” Spinning her around, he stands frozen at the sight of the tears that have begun to slowly trail down her cheeks. “You’re crying?” Emotion hits him hard in the chest. “Why are you crying?” Something inside him tightens in knots. Lifting his hand to her face, he tenderly wipes away the tears and searches for something in her eyes. Her heart thumps quickly at his gentle touch, pounding in her chest like a hammer. Looking away, she denies him the answer to the question that his eyes are asking. “Liz? Talk to me.” Suddenly his feelings become very clear. Very real. Very overwhelming. They ache in his chest and make every muscle tense as his heart beats with an ardor that he’s been trying to hide for a very long time. He never knew it was love until this moment.

  Pulling her arm out of his grip, she walks towards the trunk of the tree, tired and angry, and just wanting to sit down. “Well I’m not crying over you, if that’s what you think.”

  Impulsively, he grabs her and turns her around. She gasps as he presses his hard muscular body against her. “Kiss me.” He demands.

  She pushes against his chest, stubbornly trying to pry herself away. “No!”

  “Liz. Please, kiss me.” He needs to explore this feeling.

  “NO!”

  Frustrated, he lets out a sigh and shak
es his head. “I’m not going to take her to the ball.”

  She stills, and looks up at him through those beautiful hazel eyes. “You’re not?”

  He sees hope start to shimmer there. “No, I’m not.”

  She’s suspicious. “Why not?”

  He gentles his hold and wraps his arms around her, slowly pulling her into his body. She stops struggling and reluctantly lets him reel her in. Biting at her lip, she waits for his answer. Brushing her hair away from her face, he runs his fingers down her cheek and locks his gaze to hers. “Because, I’m in love with YOU. Somehow, I just know that we’re meant to be together. I’ve felt it since the first day of school. It’s like you’ve always been the other half of me.”

  Swooping down, he lowers his mouth to hers. Slanting over it, he waits for a refusal that doesn’t come. At the press of his lips, she opens to him, slowly parting her lips and letting his tongue slide in. Soft, warm and gentle, his tongue explores her mouth as their bodies melt into one. Relaxing into his kiss, she surrenders completely, letting him sink deeper into her mouth as he swallows the sounds of her moans. Pulling away for a quick breath, she brushes her trembling fingers across his cheek and then returns to him, smashing her mouth against him. Her tongue searches for his, making the bulge in his pants throb and harden as she tangles them together with an unchained desire.

  Something profound happened between them on this day, something almost ethereal. What started as friendship, blossomed into love. Best friends become lovers. With that long awaited first kiss, they awaken entangled souls. Nothing will ever be the same. Eternity will always be theirs.

  Chapter 1

  A small green finch hovers over the foliage just outside the window of Olivia James’ office. Its small black wings flutter sprightly as it surveys the bushes for a steady branch to land on. Olivia is mesmerized by the movement of the emerald green leaves dancing rhythmically in the gentle breeze as the heat of the sun blazes through the window, reaching for her like the warm hands of a lover trying to seduce her. It seemed as if spring would never arrive and end her long, restless winter.