“Oh, that’s where you’re wrong, Maggie. I very much want you to suffer, as I suffered without you.” He released her with such alacrity that she crumpled to the ground. Any momentary relief was banished, when he pounced on top of her.
“No!” Maggie screamed, pushing at his shoulders. “No!” She battled tears, as the sound of his wicked laughter echoed around them.
* * *
Aileen sat in the small cabin she shared with Kevin, lost in thought, as she rocked in front of the potbellied stove. She stretched her feet out to warm them, before pulling them back under the small blanket she had thrown over her lap. Ever since Declan had returned with an injured Lorena and Seamus had returned without Maggie, Aileen had felt out of sorts.
Kevin had been preoccupied, helping at the warehouse and also ensuring his brothers and his da didn’t go mad with worry. He’d been focused on others and paying little attention to her, although he held her close every night, whispering his thanks that she was well and safe in his arms.
With a sigh, Aileen silently berated herself for her selfishness. Even though she knew she should be thinking about her ailing and missing family members, she couldn’t help focusing on herself during her time alone. With a sigh, she held a hand over her waist, battling tears.
When the door opened, she turned to ensure it was Kevin entering. She relaxed when he smiled at her, although no joy filled his eyes. Aileen knew he was scared nearly to death for Maggie, and the longer it took for Lorena to awaken, the less likely it was she’d recover. Aileen didn’t know what would happen should the O’Rourkes lose two family members.
“Love?” Kevin murmured, as he approached and kissed her head. “Why the tears?”
“I’m being selfish,” she whispered. At his murmur of protest, she reached up and grasped his hand, tugging, so he sat in his chair beside her. “I started my courses today. Another month …” She ducked her head in shame.
“Another month for me to give thanks I have you in my arms every night. Another month for me to rejoice I can kiss you each mornin’. Another month for me to exalt at the way my heart skips a beat when you smile at me.” He paused, as he traced a finger down her neck. “Although you don’t smile as much as you used to, lass.”
“I feel such a failure,” she whispered. “All the other women can have babies. But not me.” She closed her eyes in defeat. “I’d think you’d look for another.”
He growled in frustration and anger. “Look at me, Aileen.” He waited, and, when she refused to raise her head, he tilted her head up with soft fingers under her jaw. “You are precious beyond words. You are my … everything. No language has been invented to express what you mean to me.” His hazel eyes glowed with his fervency. “Aye, I’d dote on any child we were blessed to have.” He shook his head, when she hunched her shoulders in defeat. “But do you know, I don’t care if we ever have a child?”
She gaped at him, before whispering, “What? How can you say that?”
“I am happy as long as I have you, love,” he murmured, raising her hand to kiss her fingers. “I’ve realized these past few days, as I’ve watched Declan—almost out of his mind with worry over his Lorena—and as Dunmore limps around like a caged animal, praying for Maggie’s return, that I am the luckiest of men. I have you, healthy and well. There’s nothin’ more I want in this world than that.” His gaze filled with pleading, he begged, “Believe me. Please.”
She nodded, as a tear leaked out. “I want a child so badly, Kevin,” she whispered.
He kissed her head, easing her from her rocker and onto his lap, sighing with relief to hold her in his arms. “I know, my love. I know.” He breathed in her scent, now rocking her on his lap. “If I could, I’d give you all the babes you could ever desire,” he murmured, pausing to run a hand over head and to look into her eyes. “If you want to adopt, only say the word, my love.” He kissed her head again. “Never doubt I have everything I want in my arms right now. You are, and always will be, enough.”
* * *
Seamus stood, staring at the road leading into town, as the sun slipped behind the bluffs. Another day had passed with no word about his Maggie. Another day his family wasn’t whole. Another day of anguish as he agonized over his wee Maggie, and all she might be suffering. He closed his eyes, as he attempted to banish his worst fears, but he knew what a man like Jacques could do to his sweet daughter. With a deep breath, he attempted to release his anger and rage, so that he could return to Mary and be the supportive husband she needed. Inside, he wanted to rip someone, anyone, limb from limb.
“Seamus,” Dunmore said in a low voice. He leaned on a cane, although within another week or two, he would walk without aid. “Seamus, come home.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” he rasped. “I’ve every right to enjoy the sunset.”
Dunmore let out a huff of air, as he shook his head in exasperation. “Is that what you’re calling it now? You’re a naturalist and desire time out of doors?” He took a quick step back, dodging Seamus’s lethal punch. Hissing in pain, as he put too much pressure on his still-healing leg, Dunmore shook his head in warning at Seamus. “Don’t try that again. I won’t fight fair.”
“Nor would I,” Seamus snapped.
Letting out a deep breath, Dunmore stayed out of range of another fist Seamus might throw
