The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke j-4

by N. J. Walters

  "Just lie still."

  She glared at Patrick. “Why aren't you taking care of him?"

  Patrick flashed her a quick grin, although the gesture didn't quite reach his eyes. “I'm doing my best here."

  "Try harder."

  His gray eyes narrowed as he gave her a curt nod. He turned as one of his deputies came up to him. “We've got a witness."

  An older woman stood next to him, her face pale, but composed. Cyndi recognized her immediately. “I know you.” Her voice was slightly slurred, but she pushed on. “You're the woman from the hardware store.” What had Shamus said her name was? “Sadie Hargrove.” That was it. Why was it so hard for her to think?

  Sadie nodded and addressed the sheriff. “It was Bo Hobbs driving that truck. I had the perfect view of him when he turned the corner at the top of the street. Wasn't his truck, but it was Bo all right."

  Patrick inclined his head. “Thank you, Mrs. Hargrove.” Then he turned to his deputy. “Take another man with you and pick him up.” The tone of his voice left no doubt that he wanted that man and he wanted him now. “Consider him armed and dangerous. He could be our shooter as well."

  "Yes, sir.” The deputy turned and strode purposefully away.

  Cyndi stared at the woman, shocked that she'd come forward. “But you hate me.” The words were low, but the other woman must have heard them because she flinched.

  "I should never have blamed you for what your daddy did. That wasn't right.” Sadie Hargrove paused, her worn hands gripping her faded cloth purse. “When Alicia Flint contacted me I didn't know what to think. Why would a lawyer be calling me? When she said that she was calling on your behalf, I thought you were gonna sue me over what had happened outside the hardware store."

  Cyndi was finding it harder to keep her eyes open and let her lids drift shut. She didn't want to deal with this right now.

  "Can this wait, Mrs. Hargrove?” Shamus's usual calm was gone, replaced by impatience. Cyndi detected an edge of anger in his voice.

  Forcing her eyes open, she patted his hand. “It's okay."

  "I think this needs to be said.” Sadie Hargrove drew herself up and continued. “She said you were making sure my family got their land back because what your daddy had done wasn't right."

  "I don't think this is the time or place to talk about this.” Patrick dropped his hand on the older woman's shoulder. “This is a private legal matter."

  "Maybe so,” she agreed. “But I just wanted to say I was sorry. I want to do what's right. I'll testify in court against Bo Hobbs if it comes to that."

  "Thank you, Mrs. Hargrove. I'm going to get a deputy to take you to the station and you can give him your statement."

  Shamus took Cyndi's hand in his and held it tight. “You need to be in a hospital bed."

  "So do you.” She frowned at him. “Why aren't you?” She had no idea how Shamus had gotten out of hospital and just happened to be nearby when she was almost run over.

  "Because I needed to see you more."

  She started to say something, but it was too late. The paramedics arrived and eased Shamus aside. Within minutes, they had her loaded onto a stretcher and in the back of the ambulance.

  A sense of deja vu hit her when Shamus eased himself down onto the seat across from her. “Didn't we already do this?"

  He nodded grimly. “Hopefully, this is the last time."

  The ambulance began to move and she cried out as pain shot through her hip and leg. Once again, she felt Shamus's hand clasp hers. Then she felt nothing at all.

  The door to Cyndi's hospital room pushed open. She kept her eyes shut tight, not sure she was up to dealing with anyone yet. She'd been poked and prodded and had her arm bandaged again. By some stroke of luck, nothing was broken, but she was severely bruised on her left side and wouldn't be feeling like running any races for a week or two. They were keeping her for observation overnight because she had a slight concussion. If all went well, she'd be free to go in the morning.

  Footsteps shuffled across the room. She felt the slightest brush of a hand on her head. Her eyes popped open. “You're supposed to be in bed.” An irate doctor had readmitted Shamus while she was being examined in the emergency room. The doctor had given him a tongue-lashing about taking better care of himself and not undoing the work that the surgeons had done.

  Shamus chuckled. “Move over."

  "What?” She eased to one side as he sat on the bed and lowered his large frame down beside her.

  "Now I'm in bed.” He pulled up the guardrail behind him.

  "The nurses won't let you stay.” Even as she said it, she scooted closer, gritting her teeth against the pain that shot down her side. She could feel the heat of his body and needed to get as close as possible.

  "I know, but I needed to be here with you. To touch you."

  "We're quite a pair.” She didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

  He laid his arm carefully around her waist as he leaned in to kiss her. His lips were soft and gentle against hers and she sighed.

  "I love you,” he whispered. “Nothing is going to change that."

  "I love you too,” she whispered back, knowing she'd do whatever it took to make it work between them.

  Sighing, Shamus closed his eyes. Cyndi watched him, wanting to just look at him. Even in repose, his features were sharp and masculine. Smiling, she closed her eyes and snuggled down into her pillow and slept.

  The door to the room opened, but neither of them stirred. Dani O'Rourke stood in the doorway with her husband and stared at the couple lying wrapped in each other's arms on the bed. As silently as they'd come, they backed out of the room and shut the door behind them.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Cyndi sat up in bed, surrounded by people. She wished it was just her and Shamus again, but he'd been gone when she'd finally opened her eyes this morning, sneaking back to his own bed sometime during the night. He was back again, this time seated in a chair right next to her bed, but they were anything but alone.

  Her Aunt Verna had arrived late last night, and when she'd checked into the Jamesville Motel and inquired about Cyndi, she'd been directed to the hospital. The small town grapevine was alive and well. Cyndi was glad her aunt was here, if only for moral support.

  As if sensing her unease, Shamus reached out and took her hand in his, twining their fingers together. She drew strength from his nearness and took a deep breath. “Okay. What exactly is going on?” Patrick was here, along with his wife, Shannon. Burke and Dani were here as well. Cyndi was getting more nervous the longer this took.

  Patrick stepped forward. “Bo Hobbs admitted that he was hired at first to try to scare you out of town. When you didn't leave, the plan was changed and he was told to get rid of you."

  "Who?” Cyndi had to know who hated her that much.

  "Elijah Harris.” Patrick crossed his arms over his chest. “He tried to deny it at first, but when I confronted him about what you'd found in your father's safe, he finally admitted it. Harris wasn't happy when you decided to transfer all your business to another law firm. He figured if you were scared enough, you might leave town and forget about switching. Seems he was hiding some of the funds from the firm and pocketing them himself.” He eyed Cyndi with something resembling respect in his eyes.

  She blinked, sure she must be mistaken as Patrick continued. “He had another document already forged, naming Harris and Hammond beneficiary of the estate in the event something happened to you. He'd forged both your signature and your father's. It never occurred to him that your father might have kept proof about their wrongdoings."

  "That bastard.” She could feel the anger emanating from Shamus and squeezed his hand tighter.

  "What will happen now?” She wanted this mess put behind her so she could get on with her life. Her father and his legacy had made a mess of so many lives.

  "Bo Hobbs is charged with attempted murder and a long list of other crimes. Elijah Harris will also be charged, but the charges
are still being decided on. I'm sure the list will be long and he'll be disbarred and imprisoned for what he's done."

  "Good.” She wasn't normally a vindictive person, but she wanted these men punished for what they'd done, not only to her, but to Shamus.

  "Stephen Hammond had no idea any of it was going on and is in shock over this,” Patrick continued. “He's shut down the office until this mess has been straightened out, but he knows he's going to be ruined over this as well."

  She tugged the covers tighter around her waist. It was uncomfortable to be surrounded by Shamus's family. Cyndi glanced over at her Aunt Verna who was watching the proceedings carefully. She smiled at the older woman, knowing her aunt wouldn't hesitate to intervene if she thought it was necessary.

  "Is there anything else?” She was getting tired and wanted to rest. Patrick had already informed her that she could move back home today. The crime scene tape was down from around her house, the investigation done.

  Dani cleared her throat and stepped forward. Cyndi braced herself, ready for just about anything. Shamus's grip tightened around her fingers. “I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

  "Sorry?” Cyndi didn't quite believe her ears.

  "Yes. Sorry for what happened to you. Sorry for trying to stop you from seeing Shamus. I was distraught and wasn't thinking.” Dani sighed. “That's no excuse and it was very petty of me."

  Burke laid a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. “All of us have been against your relationship with Shamus from the beginning."

  "I know.” Cyndi glanced up at Shamus, then back at Burke.

  "What we seemed to forget in all this is that Shamus is a man and his choices are his own.” Burke gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “I can't claim to have always made the best choices in my own life, so who am I to cast stones?"

  "I guess, what we're trying to say is that we hope you'll give us another chance.” Dani stared at Shamus and then down to where his fingers twined with Cyndi's. “You're a big part of Shamus's life and therefore, part of ours."

  Cyndi could see the doubt and worry in Dani's eyes. She looked up at Shamus but his face was impassive as he stared down at her. She could see it in his eyes. This was her choice. He'd support whatever one she made. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. For her there was only one choice. Shamus loved his family and they were trying. That's all that mattered.

  "Of course I'll give you another chance. It's what I want from you, so I'd be a hypocrite if I denied you the same thing.” She could see the relief on Dani's face and knew she'd done the right thing. The road ahead wouldn't be an easy one, but that was okay. Shamus was worth it. What they had together was worth it.

  "When are you getting out of the hospital?” Aunt Verna rose from her chair and came over to stand beside Cyndi.

  "Hopefully, I'll be released when the doctor makes his rounds."

  Burke stepped forward and offered his hand. “Dani and I have got to run, but I wanted you to know that I've got a crew out at your house, clearing out the rubble and cleaning the downstairs. Most of the damage was confined to that area. Unfortunately, you'll have to repaint the downstairs. The upstairs has already been cleaned just to freshen it up."

  "Thank you.” Shamus replied for her because, quite honestly, Cyndi was speechless.

  The men shook hands. Dani leaned in to kiss her brother's cheek before patting Cyndi on the arm. “I'll see you soon,” she promised as she followed her husband out the door.

  Patrick came forward, his wife by his side. “I'll let you know if there are any new developments in the case. And Alicia Flint told me to tell you not to worry. She's on top of all of it."

  "That's good to know. Thank you.” One of the best moves she'd made since coming home was hiring Alicia.

  "Drop by the diner once you're feeling better,” Shannon invited. Cyndi didn't have the same history with Patrick's wife and instinctively knew that their relationship would be a bit easier.

  "I will,” she promised. Exhaustion hit her as Patrick and Shannon left, and Cyndi couldn't quite stifle a yawn.

  "You should get some rest.” Shamus smoothed back a lock of her hair, his fingers playing with the soft strand.

  "I will if you will.” To her eye, he looked pale. The man had been shot, for heaven's sake and he was up and around!

  "I promise.” He turned to Verna. “Let me know when the doctor stops by. I'm getting released the same time as Cyndi."

  "Is that wise?” Cyndi studied him carefully. “Maybe you should stay in hospital for a few more days."

  He shrugged and she could see the stubborn glint in his eye. “Wise or not, I'm not letting you go home without me.” The corner of his mouth kicked up, giving him a rakishly handsome look. “Besides, who better to take care of me than you?"

  "I'll be back in a few minutes. I need a cup of coffee.” Verna left the room before either of them could reply.

  "You know, I really like your aunt."

  Cyndi chuckled. “Me too."

  She cupped his jaw, feeling the scratch of his beard stubble against her palm as he lowered his head. Their lips met, clung, parted, and touched again. It was a gentle kiss, fraught with emotion.

  They broke apart and stared at each other until the door was pushed open. They both turned their heads, expecting to see Verna. Instead, the doctor was standing in the doorway, shaking his head. “I might have known I'd find you here, Shamus. Why don't you step aside so I can have a chat with Ms. Marks?"

  Shamus sat back in his chair and listened while the doctor asked Cyndi a few questions and checked her arm as well as her hip and thigh. When he was done, he turned to Shamus. “If you won't rest here, you might as well go home. That is, if Ms. Marks will take you."

  "She will,” he replied confidently.

  The doctor laughed as he headed to the door. Your paperwork will be waiting at the desk and a nurse will be down in a minute to help you get dressed, Ms. Marks. I suggest you go and get your things packed, Shamus, so your lady doesn't leave without you."

  The door closed behind the doctor, but Cyndi and Shamus only had eyes for one another. “Let's go home,” he whispered as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  "Home.” She hugged the word tight to her heart, knowing that she'd finally come home.

  The place was chaos when Verna Marks pulled her car up in front of the house. There were trucks and workmen everywhere. Burke had told her that he had a crew out here, but Cyndi was still shocked by the number of people who seemed to be working.

  "Let's get you both inside.” Verna whipped her door open and climbed out. Her aunt had been a godsend, gathering Cyndi's belongings from the motel and checking her out before coming back to the hospital to get both her and Shamus.

  Cyndi tried to swallow back a groan of pain as her aunt helped her out of the car, but it escaped her. Shamus was by her other side in a flash. “I know it hurts, sweetheart,” he murmured as he wrapped his arm around her waist. “Let's get you inside and into bed."

  "I'll get her bag."

  "Thanks, Verna.” Her aunt and Shamus were on a first name basis already. Cyndi was thrilled by how well they were getting along.

  With Shamus's help she made her way up the front stairs and into the foyer. She'd expected the acrid smell of smoke and ash, but it was barely a whiff on the air. Shamus tried to herd her toward the stairs, but she stubbornly headed toward the kitchen. He sighed heavily, but didn't fight her. She shot him a grin. “I just want to see what they're doing."

  "One minute and then it's upstairs."

  "You're so bossy,” she teased.

  "He's had too many years of being boss.” A man stepped up beside them and held out his hand to her. “Joe Banks. I'm a foreman with B & O Construction, ma'am."

  "Cyndi Marks.” She shook his hard, calloused hand with her good hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Joe."

  "Pleasure is all mine, ma'am.” He nodded toward the kitchen. “We demolished the entire back wall and part of the side one and
ripped up the floor. It was past saving."

  "Call me, Cyndi,” she absently replied as she looked around. The side wall had already been reframed and they were working on the back one. The sounds of hammers and power saws filled the air. “You've done an amazing amount of work.” She hadn't expected them to be anywhere near this far.

  "We've been working nonstop since we got the go-ahead from the sheriff's office. I took pictures and had your insurance adjuster out here too."

  Before she could ask how he even knew who her insurance agent was, Shamus spoke. “I asked Alicia to handle it for you."

  Cyndi didn't know whether to be irritated at his highhandedness or just pleased that the work was being done so quickly. She thought about it for a second and chose to be pleased. This wasn't worth getting upset over.

  As if sensing her mood, Shamus pulled her tight against his body with his good arm and gave her a light squeeze. “I know that you could take care of this, but I didn't want you to have to deal with it as soon as you were released from hospital. This way all you have to worry about is how you want the kitchen."

  "I'd like a bigger kitchen nook for the table, with more windows. Like you did over at your place."

  "Done,” he promised. She saw him glance over at Joe and nod. The other man smiled and walked away with a wave and a promise to talk to her later.

  "What did you do?"

  Shamus led her back down the hallway to the stairs and didn't speak until they were half way up. “I knew how much you liked what I'd done to my kitchen, so I'd already planned to have them do that as a surprise."

  "Really?"

  "Do you mind?” His hand was steady against the small of her back as she took the stairs one at a time.

  "No, I don't mind."

  He breathed a huge sigh. “That's good. I've ordered paint samples and tile samples for you to look at too. Plus, you need to decide on kitchen cabinets."

  Verna was coming back down the hallway when they reached the top of the stairs. “I've got your things put away and the bed turned back. You really need to rest."