Irish Dreams (6 page)

“Where’s that one’s saddle?” Maggie pointed at the gray, which began dancing back and forth.

Ethan took the gray horse’s bridle. “I’ve got him, Ian.” He smoothed a hand along the horse’s face and neck. “That a boy. You behave nice today, all right? I’ll get you a treat afterward.”

“I’d say you’ve got yourself a good mare here.” Bryan lifted Elsie onto the white horse’s saddle.

“I thought Elsie would like her.” He winked at Maggie. “You’re already familiar with Misty Eyes, aren’t you, Maggie?”

She blinked once, twice, staring at the well-behaved mare. How could she have forgotten the horse caught in the fence? “Hardly appears the same mare. Certainly wasn’t this calm after I helped her out of the mess she’d gotten herself into.”

“Misty Eyes is a bit skittish at times, but Elsie can handle a bit of spunk,” Ethan said as he grasped the gray’s mane and effortlessly swung himself onto the horse’s back. “Come on.” He leaned down, held out a hand.

“There’s no stirrups. Plus, the horse is missing a saddle.”

“I don’t have any saddles that will seat two comfortably. Best way to ride is bareback. You’ll see what I mean when you feel the horse.”

Before she could hesitate, Bryan lifted her into Ethan’s arms. Conspirators. She wasn’t sure how the mechanics of it worked. One moment she’d stood on the ground, the next, she rested against Ethan’s chest, his arms enveloping her as he lightly held the reins.

Bryan swung onto the brown horse and lifted his reins. “Here we go.”

She wasn’t sure this was a good idea. “Must the horses really run?”

Ethan leaned forward until his breath brushed her ear. “You’ll be okay, I promise.”

Maggie was like a firework waiting to be lit. She sat rigid as a pole in front of him, gripping the gray’s mane as if her life depended on it.

“You’ll make Jack think there’s something wrong if you don’t relax a bit,” Ethan said.

“Jack? You named the horse Jack? What happened to fun names like Moore’s Gold or something similar?”

“Quiet, you’ll offend Jack. There’s nothing the matter with the name, it suits him.”

Maggie tilted her head, peering at the horse’s face. “Yeah, I guess it does.” Reaching down, she slid a hand along his neck. “Good boy, Jack.”

Jack whinnied and tossed his head as he continued in a smooth walk.

* * * *

“Now relax,” Ethan said. “I know you know what that word means since last night–”

One sharp elbow landed in his rib. His stomach flexed. She’d hit him!

“Ouch.” He grimaced, rubbed the sore bone. “What was that for?”

“If you must ask, it couldn’t have been entirely memorable.”

“Oh, it was.” One of his forearms rested on her thighs. “I thought perhaps you needed some reminding.”

“Are you kids behaving yourselves?” Bryan stared behind him at them, lips spread in a wide grin.

“I am,” Maggie said.

Ethan would have argued, but curiosity about what other reactions he could elicit won him over. Instead, he lifted a hand in surrender. “If I offend you, you need only tell me. I’ll stop.”

“Up for a race, Elsie?” Bryan asked.

Elsie nodded and squeezed her mare into a canter then gallop. Bryan followed on the chestnut gelding.

“They’re moving fast. Can we stay at this nice slow pace? I’m not so sure I can handle running.” The tremor that came through in Maggie’s voice made his chest ache. He guided the gray gelding to a stop. “Look at me.”

She lifted her chin, met his gaze.

“I will not let anything bad happen, do you believe me?”

She nodded, biting her bottom lip.

Her mouth’s movement drew him, and unable to stop himself, he leaned forward and kissed her. As he pulled away, her eyes glowed bright. Her cheeks were flushed. “Close your eyes. Lean back against my chest.”

Maggie let herself relax within his arms. With one squeeze of his thighs, Ethan eased Jack into a trot, followed by a smooth canter. “Do you feel a rhythm?”

“I do.” She took a deep breath and released it on a laugh. “This is great.” Her hair floated back with the wind. The lavender-scented tendrils tickled his senses. One more press of his thighs pushed the horse into a gallop. Maggie stiffened slightly, reached back and gripped his legs.

“Relax.” He tightened his arms around her waist. “I’ve got you. It’s okay, let go.”

She released him, spread her arms wide as they rode over the verdant hillsides. Peeking through rain-laden clouds, the sun kissed the grass, making it sparkle with moisture. Off in the distance, a lake spread amongst hills dotted with wildflowers. “This is amazing. Is all this yours?” she shouted.

“I thought you had your eyes closed.”

“How can I? It’s so incredibly beautiful.”

She’d made a point there. Ethan loved this land and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else ever again. Jack slowed his gait, easing down a hill. “My property’s line ends a couple hundred yards away. On our left lies the Kelley Estate.”

“Oh gosh. Elsie, Bryan. Where do you think they went?” She turned in his arms, hazel eyes wide.

“If he has a lick of intelligence, Bryan is most likely is doing with her what I’d like to be doing with you right now.”

A faint blush crawled up her neck. Maggie ducked her head, still gazing up at him daringly. “Actions speak louder than words.”

He bent, lifted her chin and placed his mouth on hers. Teasing lashes shaded her eyes, her mouth lingered open. “I’ve a mind to show you exactly what I mean. But unless you plan on spending the day sopping wet, we best head back. At least the cottage is dry.”

A rumble of thunder rolled through the atmosphere. She cleared her throat. “The sky grew dark quickly. The sun peeked through clouds mere moments ago.”

“Aye, good old Ireland.” Turning Jack, he squeezed the gelding into a canter and reached down to pat his flank. “Don’t worry though. Jack here doesn’t scare easily.”

Near the cottage, Bryan and Elsie came into view. Elsie sat on Misty Eyes while Bryan stood on the ground beside them.

“Something’s wrong,” Maggie said.

She was right. The couple shared grave stares, and faced them as they came closer. He swung his leg back, slid off Jack, lifted Maggie down and after placing her on the ground, met Bryan walking toward them. “Something happen?” Ethan asked.

Bryan nodded in the cottage’s direction. “You’ve a visitor.”

“Hello, Ethan,” Miriam said as she exited his cottage.

The muscles in Ethan’s back bunched. No. She couldn’t be on this side of the ocean. She never put in much effort unless she wanted something, and traveling several thousand miles was definitely effort. “Miriam. I see I should have changed the locks.”

Chapter 7

Miriam. Ethan’s ex-wife. Maggie’s chest squeezed as the other woman approached, her steps graceful like those of a ballet dancer. She was beautiful in the classic sense–sort of an ebony-haired Veronica Lake. Her long black hair waved past her shoulders, and she arched one dark brow questioningly. “Ethan, your manners? I hadn’t intended to reach you at an inconvenient time.” Her lips curved up at one side, a smirk belying her words.

“What do you want?” Ethan’s tone grew icy.

“Aww, someone’s a bit grumpy.” Miriam stopped in front of Ethan, and Maggie tensed. He’d been charming since she’d met him but the stiffness in his stance worried her.

“Perhaps we should be going.” Maggie looked at Elsie for confirmation.

“No,” Ethan said. “What do you want, Miriam?”

“To talk, why else?”

“You have a phone.”

“It’s important.” She pouted. “Besides, you hardly answer my calls.”

“Whatever you must tell me you can say in front of my friends.”

“Friends?” Miriam’s dark gaze moved over Elsie, Bryan, then landed on her. “Is that what you call them?”

“Go on. I haven’t all day.”

“I’ve been thinking.” Miriam ran a finger along a shoulder seam of Ethan’s shirt. “Perhaps signing the papers was a bit of a rash decision on both our parts.” She trailed an index finger down his chest. “You and I were a good thing.”

Ethan caught her hand, pulled it away from his body. “
Were
is a key word here.”

Miriam didn’t let the words deter her. “We still could be.”

Maggie shifted in place. She didn’t feel like hearing how good they could be together. “I think it’s best if we go.”

“No, please–”

“Ethan.” She met his gaze, hoped the pleading in her eyes showed clearly.

He bent his head. “Okay.”

“Let’s go.” Elsie slid off Misty Eyes with Bryan’s help. “My parents invited us to dinner tonight. This will give us a chance for some relaxation beforehand.”

Like a spoiled child who’d gotten her way, Miriam smiled and waved. “Enjoy your night out.”

“Maggie, wait.” Ethan tugged her arm, which whirled her around. Before she could react, he had a hand at the base of her back, pulling her toward him. Their bodies met. His mouth was soft yet demanding over hers. After the kiss ended, he leaned his forehead against hers. He searched her gaze as he stepped away. “Aye.”

She wasn’t sure what
aye
meant, but the look of shock on Miriam’s and their friends’ faces sent a tremor rushing through her. With a kiss, he’d staked his claim.

* * * *

Elsie followed Maggie into the guest bedroom and closed the door. “When were you going to tell me what was going on?”

Maggie sighed, suddenly exhausted by the day’s events. “I’m not sure what’s going on.”

“Oh, really? Looks like your lips sure knew what was going on while Ethan kissed you.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. It happened incredibly fast.”

Elsie sat on the edge of the bed. “Oh Mags, I’m not upset Ethan kissed you. I’m ecstatic. He’s a great guy. You’re my best friend. I…” She looked up, hands spread wide as she searched for the right words. “I want you to find happiness like I’ve found. I worry it may be too soon for either of you, though.”

“You’re concerned it’ll turn into a rebound relationship.”

“Exactly.”

“The thought crossed my mind too. I don’t know if we can change the path we’ve started down. I feel this inexplicable draw toward him.”

“The man is gorgeous. I think any woman would find it hard not to feel some sort of draw to him.”

“No. It’s more. Rick is very good-looking too. Still, nothing happened this fast. Maybe we just have great chemistry.”

“Have you slept with him?”

Maggie’s skin tingled, and she rubbed her face. “No.” Not yet, anyhow. “We mainly kissed.”

“Hmm, must be quite a kisser.”

He most definitely kissed well. She laughed. “Don’t even go there.”

“Only saying.” Elsie giggled.

Fun aside, she still needed to deal with the fact his ex-wife–make that gorgeous ex-wife–was now alone with him at a secluded cottage. What if he changed his mind and wanted her back? Logically, she knew her thoughts were ridiculous. His parting kiss made his choice clear. Still, she’d been hurt enough. Could she deal with another relationship going bad? Probably not this soon, if ever again. Especially when every molecule inside screamed Ethan was different.

“Uh oh,” Elsie said. “I know that look.”

“What look?”

“Your blank stare of worry. Eyes get distant. Makes you look zombie-like. What are you thinking?”

“You don’t want to know. What is it with exes anyway? First Rick. Now Miriam. If only people would realize what they’d had when they had it.”

“Yeah, that would be easier.” Elsie pushed herself off the bed and stood. “Sometimes fate has a way of deciding if it’s not meant to be. You could have made a grave mistake in staying with Rick.”

“You’re right, I know.” She bit her bottom lip. “I can’t help wondering what fate has in store this time around.”

* * * *

As Ethan neared the Kelley mansion, a small cloud of smoke floated above the terrace. The rich, chocolaty scent of cigars rode along the soft breeze. “Eat more than your fill tonight?”

Bryan jumped up and walked along the railing. “Good God, Ethan. Are you out there?”

“Who else?” He climbed the stairs to the terrace.

“Why would you be trudging through wet grass at this time of night?”

Because he was a sopping idiot who’d somehow made a mess of his life in a matter of days. “I needed air. Thought you’d be out enjoying a smoke.”

“I’m predictable, huh?” Bryan asked, resting his cigar on the rim of a stone ashtray.

“No. I chanced it, figuring your future in-laws are in town. Since you all ate out, I knew Mrs. Rogers would make sure you ate well.” Ethan grinned. “You always smoke after a big meal.”

“I am predictable. I won’t deny that woman is surely trying to fatten me up for some feast. Want a cigar?”

“No, thank you.”

Bryan picked up his and took several puffs. “Are you here for Maggie?”