Embraceable You (Irish Hearts Series) (2 page)

Sell Aunt Addie’s stuff.

Close shop.

Get out of small town.

Return to Boston and get an AMAZING new job!!!  (Underline amazing and add $$)

*     *     *

Mayor Zachary Cassidy

“Hell no, Mike. This is just a bump in the road, a little delay, but things will move ahead as we planned. Not to worry. Just hang in there, and I’ll be back in touch by the week
end.” Zach ended the call and placed his iPhone on the desk. He didn’t bother to look up from a stack of papers but he knew she was there. “G’night, Zoey. It’s late.” His voice echoed in the empty hallway.

Zoey
Cassidy, his younger sis, leaned on the doorframe. She pulled her red hair to the side and it cascaded over one shoulder. She gave him a little mocking smile. “What’s wrong? A little hitch in your plans? An inconvenient death?” She lifted her palms and looked upward. “Oh Aunt Addie, you messed up Big Brother’s ambitions, dying so abruptly in Florida, like that. He didn't have a chance to – ”

"You're crude!" Zach pointed at the door. “Out. You don’t know anything about this.” His voice was a growl. “So get the hell out.”

“Um-hum, yeah. I know more than you think because I watch and listen. Look Zach, we need to talk. Not about this. There's something else.”

“Not now. I’m waiting on someone."

“Who? A woman?”

He gave her a smile that looked more like a grimace. “Yep.”

“Who? Can’t be Monique because she’s in Boston, shopping.” Zoey couldn’t hide her smirky little grin.

He ignored her obvious disdain for the wealthy and beautiful Monique Fairchild. “How would you know where she is?”

“Oh, word gets around. Sweet Thang’s probably looking for that perfect engagement rock. When’s that going to happen?”

“You’ll be the first to know.”

“You’re just trying to keep your lovin’ family from knowing all about your private love life, but you forget, this is a town that thrives on gossip, rumors, and down ‘n dirty laundry. The walls breathe out speculation all the time. If something risqué isn't happening, we'll make it up. So who’s the other woman?”

“What other woman?”

“The woman you’re waiting on, dork.”

“It’s business. Good night.” He motioned her away again, but
Zoey remained in the doorway, stubborn as always. So he fed her a nibble. “Remember Siena? Aunt Addie’s niece, or great-niece, whatever.”

“Aunt Addie’s relative?”
Zoey’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh good. Maybe she’s not so easily swayed and desperate to sell as an eighty-something year-old woman.”

“I’m sure she’ll be perfectly reasonable.” He nodded with tight lips. “She’s taking over the business. Unfortunately, this has put a delay on my plans. But I’ve got her key to the place, and maybe we can get some positive dialogue going.”

“How convenient that Aunt Addie’s no longer around to object to your plans.”

He narrowed his eyes at his sister. “You’re so wrong. Addie was potentially in agreement. We just didn’t get anything in writing before uh . . . this happened. When Siena learns about the terms, I’m sure she’ll have no problems with the deal.” Zach checked his watch. “You’re on overtime,
Zoey, but the city can’t pay. Time for you to go home.”

“Wasn’t Siena your girlfriend, once upon a time?”

He looked back at the papers on the desk and tried to sound bored with the subject. “Long, long time ago.” But he couldn’t ignore the little knot in his chest at the thought of seeing Siena again.

“I’ll bet you’ve still got a little fire in your belly for her,”
Zoey taunted. “We all do, for old girl-and-boyfriends. It’s human nature.”

“She’s probably married to a Fortune 500 CEO with four kids, two matching Irish setters, and a summer house in the Hamptons.”

“Then why would she be coming up here to handle the unpleasant business of a stingy little inheritance? Why wouldn’t she just send her lawyer and personal assistant?” 

“You can be such a pest,
Zoey. Look, this is simply good business. I want to take this town into the Twenty-first Century with profitable commerce.
Amazing Lace
is an old-fashioned business lost in a Victorian time warp. Besides, it’s the best and only offer she’ll get. And it’s the best thing for this town. So get off my back, damn it!”

“Y-O-O. Your opinion only.”

“A healthy nor’easter would blow that crumbling building to shreds. And might, before this winter’s gone.”

“It’s an historic building, Zach. Got that beautiful mermaid stained glass window above the door. All it needs is a few repairs and good coat of paint.”

“Everything is so simple to you. I’ve got an overview. I see the big picture and I'm doing what’s the greater good for the most people.”

“While you’re looking at that big picture, find someone to fill my chair. I’m giving my two week's notice now.”

Zach slammed both fists on the antique oak desk and stood. Now he gave her his full attention. “Damn it, what is it now Zoey? Erik back in town? Or is it your salary? I can’t pay you more. You know the budget.”

“Believe it or not, it’s not about money. And definitely not about Erik.”

“Then, what? I need you here, to watch my back. To keep me informed. To write my speeches. I’ve got one in two weeks.”

“Get your blond bimbo to do all that.”

“Zoey.” He paused a beat, trying to gain control of his rising temper. “Don’t. Do. This. You just can’t. Not now.”

“Watch me.”

“Why?” Damn, he would never understand women, even his own blood. Between his mother, Zoey, and Monique, it was like herding cats. They could never get their lives together; yet never comply with what he knew to be the right thing.

She lifted her shoulders in a partial shrug. “This isn’t what I want to be doing, Zach. My heart's not in it. Nor my passion.”

“Zoey, let’s talk about it later. I need you here. You need a job and this one’s yours.”

She pulled her red hair over one shoulder and started down the hall, walking backward. “I'm giving it back. Meantime, find someone you can work with because I’m
adios
in two weeks.”

“Damn it,
Zoey!”

She gave him a little salute, then whirled around, her boots echoing on the hardwood floor of the community building as she left.

Zach sat there for a minute, just breathing, forcing himself not to yell obscenities at his spoiled sister. She thought she could do anything she wanted, anytime, no matter what. He slammed the papers into the top drawer of his desk, grabbed his iPhone and stuffed it in his jacket pocket.

He considered going after her and trying to settle it now, but he had this other obligation. Oh hell, he wanted to see Siena – and he didn’t. Bottom line, it was all about business. And what’s best for the city of Haven’s Point. That's what he told himself.

He stuck a note on Addie’s shop door saying he would be in the gym across the street when she arrived. With a vengeance, he pounded back weights while he considered Siena Summerfield, beautiful sexy Siena. Why the hell was this happening now? 

He didn’t quite understand but he was so curious about her. Just memories that lingered and mushroomed in a lonely mind. He didn’t even know her, not any more. But he remembered her – oh hell yeah. Remembered her sexy curves, the taste of her, the way she fit against him, how she read her sexy poems to him. He’d never heard such sweet, sexy phrases that didn’t sound obscene. She’d been his only friend when no one else would be seen with him. 

Large windows framed the front of the gym, converted from an empty sardine-packing house. At one time, fishing was big business in Haven’s Point. But now, it was all gone to other shores. The
Buff Body Shoppe
was his first project as Mayor, and he was damn proud of it. And glad people were using the gym. His selling pitch, ‘If we build it, they will come’ could have backfired, but thankfully didn’t. He credited it to good planning on his part. But he realized that people might be using it because they were out of a job and had the free time available. Now, for him, new jobs in town had to be priority-one.

As Zach settled into the breathing rhythm of bench presses, he considered whether to reveal his ambitious plans for Aunt Addie’s property tonight or wait until later. When he learned that Siena was coming, he figured if she had any business savvy at all, she’d see the value in his plans for all concerned.

Pushing through the pain of a bum knee, he scooted both feet behind a barbell and began lifting. Before he could complete a set, he spotted a car crawling along the coastal highway, making the slow trip of a reluctant traveler. No one else was on the road at this hour with a storm pending. It was probably her.

The car parked in the empty lot near the outside stairs to Addie’s over-the-shop apartment. The driver stepped out, stretched, and gave the place a quick once-over. No fondness in her body language. No appreciation of the natural beauty, much less the quiet solitude. She – it had to be her - snuggled into a fuzzy white jacket, and walked rapidly toward the shop. Tall and leggy,
a tangle of hair bouncing on her shoulders – oh yes, still . . . gorgeous. Siena looked great from a distance, even better than he remembered.

Of course, it had been over twelve years since he’d even seen her, since they’d kissed behind Farley’s barn, teens pushing the limits and then some. More than mere curiosity moved him, and Zach grabbed a towel.

He met her at the gym door, immediately struck that her eyes were still the deep violet-blue he remembered, her skin still the same flawless porcelain.
Oh, yes.
Beautiful and sexy.  She stood close enough to touch, a long-lost vision that left him breathless. He took a deep breath and mumbled, “Hey. You haven’t changed, Siena.”

He decided right then and there to wait until tomorrow to discuss the unpleasant business of business. Or maybe even
. . . later.

*     *     *

Claire Cathleen O'Sullivan Fairchild

When I first heard that we had lost our dear Addie, I looked out to see if Haven's Point was still above ground or had sunk into the sea. Tottering, it was. On the brink. I'd lost my best, dearest, lifetime friend, that's for sure. But the most important thing was that everybody in town had, too.

Maybe this was her ultimate act - Addie's passing away so suddenly like this, to upset the balance and draw in new blood. She claimed that
new blood would revive the lace's power and embrace the magic. Amazing how the Lord of the Universe works in such mysterious ways.

We thought our new mayor would fix things. And he's done some good. But, he's… a man, and I'm afraid the powerful
Fairchilds, my own family, got to him.

I really do believe that our beautiful, hand-made Irish lace is magical. By faith, I do! It's worked for me since the day I brought it from the blessed Irish shores, except
when my Danny died. And now, my Addie. Sometimes though, it's hard to believe in anything when things go bad. Really bad. Like now.

I feel like we're in a leaking lobster boat, adrift, drowning in our tears. Lord, we need that new blood, fast.

Siena stood in the doorway of the
Buff Body Shoppe
drinking in the well-sculpted male before her. Tousled brown hair and caramel eyes, a towel draped around his neck, sweaty tee shirt clinging to his body and broad shoulders – Oh God, he was a heady sip of red wine that burned all the way down. Behind him, half-dressed men and women in sports bras and tights pranced around, and the clink of metal sounded the musical rhythm of a gym.

She waved the slip of paper she’d found attached to Aunt Addie’s door. “Looking for the mayor. He has the um
. . . key.” The last word dwindled out as recognition registered.

This was Zach.
Oh my God, Zach
. He looked familiar, and yet, strangely different. More of a man than the youthful hunk she remembered. More serious than the angry kid she had admired. More self-assured than the hot-blooded rebel who had intrigued her.

This Zach had no potbelly, no overalls, no
. . . she glanced down, and then quickly back up to his golden eyes, no wedding ring. “Zach?”

“It’s been a few, Siena. You’re all
. . . grown up.”

His words brought back forbidden memories and she felt a glow of white-heat inside. “And you’re
. . . still here?”

He looked amazing. Nothing like she imagined, not even what s
he remembered of him. Back then with his bleached hair sticking out all over his head, he despised everything and everyone. Except her. He wore a perpetual pout which she thought was so mysterious and cute . . . and sexy.

This man before her was a powerhouse of muscle and strength with a smile that crinkled his amber eyes into devilish ovals. He ran a hand through his hair.

“I left for a few years, seeking my fortune beyond this little berg. Just came back last year. Can’t believe I’d ever end up here as mayor. But life’s funny sometimes.”