it, I know it. By now, the rest of the world probably knows it. There’s nothing left to talk about.”
Gelsey heard footsteps behind her and a moment later, Kellan’s arm slipped around her waist. “Is there a problem here?” he asked.
Gelsey looked back and forth between the two men as they sized each other up. Kellan had no idea who he was dealing with. Antonio was known for his quick temper and it didn’t take much provocation for him to throw a punch. He’d been sued by at least three photographers for doing just that. “Kellan, I think you should go back to our breakfast.”
“Your breakfast?” Antonio shouted. “I see how this is. I am not a fool. This is the man who replaces me, no?”
“Yes,” Kellan said.
“No,” Gelsey countered. “You were out of my life before I even met him.”
“I think it would be best if you left,” Kellan said.
“You think I should leave?” Antonio asked. “You think
He wasn’t expecting the quick jab from Kellan. Blood erupted from his nose and he stopped, holding his hand up to his face, stunned by the turn of events. Kellan quickly handed him the linen napkin he still held and Antonio stuck it under his nose.
“Sorry, mate,” Kellan said, his demeanor deceptively calm. “But if you try that again, it will be much worse the second time. Gelsey and I are together now and if I have to beat the shite out of you to make you see that, I don’t have a problem doing that at all. So, do you want to fight, then, or will you just be saying your goodbyes and go on your merry way?”
Antonio’s eyes narrowed and he looked at Gelsey. “You will want me back,” he said. “You forget, you need me. Without me, your whole life falls apart. Are you willing to risk that, Gigi? It would be a terrible mistake. A year of your life is a terrible thing to lose, no?” He walked through the door and slammed it shut behind him.
Gelsey and Kellan stood next to each other, silently watching the door, Gelsey’s heart slamming in her chest. Well, at least she had her answer. Unless she made nice with Antonio, he had no intention of testifying on her behalf. She heard a car start and then it roared off down the driveway. She released a tightly held breath. “I suppose that could have gone worse,” she murmured.
“Will there be any more of those types coming around?” Kellan asked.
“No,” Gelsey said.
“Good. Not really the way I like to start my day.” He frowned. “What did he mean about a mistake? What about a year of your life?”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “Old arguments.” Gelsey drew a ragged breath and closed her eyes. Why not tell him? At least he’d understand her reluctance to commit to staying in Ballykirk. If the trial didn’t go her way, she could spend some time sitting in an Italian jail.
The tabloids were all hoping for that. Not a month or a year, but at least a few weeks so they might get some good photos of the “criminal” going in and coming out. Gigi Woodson in jail would sell a lot of papers.
They walked back to their breakfast and she sat down across from him, watching as he finished his scone.
“What would you do if I had to go back to Europe for a while?” Gelsey asked.
He looked up. “For what? To see him?”
Gelsey shook her head. “Just to tie up some loose ends. Would you forget all about me?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. Kellan wasn’t the kind of man who’d wait forever and he’d already grown impatient with her refusal to consider their future together.
She couldn’t imagine wanting a man more than she wanted him and there were times when a future with him seemed like the perfect way to spend a lifetime. Would her old life always come back to haunt her? Could she really start over again? Was “normal” was even possible for Gelsey Woodson?
“I don’t know. How long would you be gone?”
“Not long,” she said.
“I suppose I’d miss you. But then, I could always come with. When are you planning to leave?”
Gelsey pushed out of her chair and circled the table, then crawled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Never,” she whispered. “I want to stay here forever.” She snuggled against him, pressing her face into the curve of his neck.
“I’d like that,” he said.
She sighed and hugged him tighter. For now, she’d ignore the dark cloud looming on the horizon. If she wished it hard enough, maybe it would just dissolve before it ever reached her. Or perhaps, by the time it moved overhead, she’d know exactly what to do. She kissed his cheek. “You’re pretty good with your fists,” she said.
Kellan held up his right hand. “Fist. If I would have used them both, the guy would be headed for hospital right now.”
IT HAD TAKEN HIM the entire afternoon, but the cottage looked perfect. Kellan smiled to himself as he went around the room and lit the candles he’d bought. A big bouquet of flowers sat in the middle of the table and he’d brought out the old copper tub and placed it in front of the fireplace, ready to be filled for a bath.
This was the night, Kellan mused. He and Gelsey were going to determine once and for all what this relationship meant to them. He needed to know if there was a real future with her, because if there was, there were plans to be made.
He glanced over at the table and sighed. He’d been offered the museum job in Brittany and was waiting to sign the contract. He’d also met with some potential investors about a castle renovation near Killarney. A month ago, he would have jumped at the chance to take a job outside Ireland, searching for any excuse for a change. But his life
Kellan walked into the kitchen and pulled open the refrigerator to check on the temperature of the champagne. He’d never really done it up proper with a woman before, pulling out all the romantic stops. But there was no doubt in his mind that Gelsey was the girl for him. He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he knew, deep down in every corner of his soul, she was the one.
He ought to be surprised at how quickly it happened. Although Riley and Danny had found love at lightning speed, Kellan had dismissed the possibility as a rare occurrence. But now, he’d experienced the same strange phenomenon.
He heard the sound of the Fiat chugging up the hill to the cottage and walked to the door. He opened it and waited as Gelsey pulled the car to a stop at the garden gate. She stumbled out, dragging a canvas bag behind her. The moment she saw him, she stopped and gave him an exhausted smile.
“Long day?” he asked.
She nodded. “Excruciatingly long. Please tell me there’s a large glass of wine waiting for me.”
“Better than that,” Kellan replied, holding out his hand. He drew her inside and closed the door behind her, then helped her out of her jacket.
“What’s this?”
“Just a little holiday from all the hard work you’ve been doing,” Kellan explained. “Tonight, I’m going to wait on you hand and foot. I’ll make you a bath. I have champagne and candles, and dinner is warming in the oven.”
“It all looks so wonder-” she began, before fighting back a yawn. “Can we just lie down and have a quick nap before we get started?”
“Sure.” He took her hand and led her into the bedroom, then sat her down on the edge of the bed. Kneeling, he pulled off her shoes and gently massaged her feet. “How’s that?”
“Heaven,” she murmured, flopping back on the bed.
He stretched out beside her, lying on his side as he toyed with a strand of her hair. “Can I get you anything?”
“A kiss would be nice,” she said, turning to face him. Gelsey pointed to her bottom lip. “Right here. This is the only place on my body that isn’t utterly exhausted.”
Kellan leaned forward and gently nibbled at her lower lip. A long sigh escaped her body and he wove his fingers through her hair and kissed her again, this time more purposefully.
