IRISH FIRE (32 page)

His sire had it.

Brian swore softly. You bastard. How could you do such a thing to your own wife?

I told you, he said as if it justified everything, I needed the money.

Shaking his head, Brian stood. I wouldnt help you even if I could. My guess is that youre sincere when it comes to wantin your children, but you cant be much of a human bein. Grow up a bit first. Clean up your drinkin and maybe Caitlin will change her mind.

Sam Claiborne was defeated. Brian watched as he dragged himself through the door out to the gravel road where his car waited, dismissing the ugly thought that it might be best for everyone concerned if he perished somewhere along the Kilcullen Road.

Six weeks had passed since hed seen her. Something was different. He couldnt put his finger on it but the change, subtle though it was, was definitely there. Brian stood outside the paddock and watched her work a black yearling from his jitters. Expertly, she played with the colts ears until he no longer shied away. Then she picked up his feet, over and over again. At first the colt kicked at her but after ten minutes or so he stopped fidgeting. Sliding her arms around his neck, she patted him, allowing him to carry her full weight. When he was comfortable with it, she pulled herself up over the saddle and laid down on his back. He took a few steps and she slid off. On, off, on, off, over and over, until the colt accepted her with no more distress than he would a fly.

Brian drew a deep breath. Caitlin Claiborne was pretty. Hed forgotten how pretty. Her dark curls were pulled back in a clip. She wore a red highnecked jumper, tight-fitting beige trousers and expensive, broken-in riding boots. Anyone looking at her would guess her age to be ten years younger than it was.

She glanced up, saw him, and for the briefest instant the smile on her face tore his heart out.

Hello, he said softly.

She hesitated. The joy was gone now. Her eyes had turned wary. Hello, she said cautiously.

Do you have a minute?

Give me ten. Ill finish with the colt and meet you in the house. Make a pot of tea or a drink for yourself, if you like.

The tea was steeping by the time she came in from the barn. Brian poured two cups while she washed her hands and sat down across from him at the table. He came right to it. So, when is it?

It?

His lips twitched. The date.

What date?

Our weddin date.

Oh, that. Her cheeks burned.

Your ex-husband offered me his congratulations.

I dont believe you.

All right, Brian conceded.
Congratulations
might be stretchin it a bit.

I didnt think hed bother to check up on me, she confessed.

It wasnt the reason he came. He thought I might be an ally. He wants to see Annie and Ben more than you want him to.

Brian watched the anger rise in her eyes. He isnt fit to see them, not after what he did.

I wont argue with you on that one, but

What?

If you feel that way, why havent you turned him in?

Caitlin sighed, picked up a spoon, and stirred her tea. I dont know, really. Because hes the father of my children, because of Lucy. Just because I havent pressed charges doesnt mean I want him around Annie and Ben.

Ben might be all right without him, but I think that Annie needs her father.

Im not a monster, Brian. Annie will see her father. But Sam nearly killed her and even though he had no intention of doing so, Im not sure his remorse will extend to future behavior. What happens if he needs money again?

I imagine you wont be there to stop him from doin what he thinks is best for Claiborne Farms.

Are you saying what he did was my fault? Her voice broke.

Mentally, Brian cursed himself. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. He wanted to touch her, hold her, reassure her. Im sayin that without you he can run his business into the ground if he wants and he wont be able to blame anyone else.

He held her glance until she looked away. I miss you, Caitlin.

She swallowed and stared down at her cup. I miss you, too.

Relief swept over him. How is the trainin comin along?

She brightened. Its going well, thanks to your referrals. Ive four horses already. I think Ill be all right on my own from now on.

Congratulations. He meant it, from the heart, but he couldnt help the sinking feeling that came from knowing she no longer needed him.

Something still didnt make sense. Why does Sam think were gettin married?

She flushed and shrugged. I told him.

Might I ask why? After all, Im the prospective groom.

Dont make fun of this, Brian. Its serious for me.

Im all for takin it seriously. Just tell me why you said it.

Again she shrugged. Insurance, I suppose. June isnt that far away. By then Im supposed to be back in Kentucky or have a very good reason for not returning. Marriage to an Irishman seemed like the best reason.

Sam will know the truth soon enough.

By that time I should be self-supporting.

And here I was, hopin it was wishful thinkin on your part, he said, striving for lightness.

She laughed self-consciously. I would have thought youd come to your senses by now.

Meaning . . . ?

My life is filled with complications.

It was killing him not to touch her. Nothin that cant be sorted out.

Probably, she admitted, but I think I need to sort it out myself. Im afraid of the kind of wife Id be otherwise.

Now was the time. He could feel it. Ive a few skeletons in my own closet, Caitlin. Who doesnt? What do you say we work them out as we go along?

She stared at him, her eyes level and serious. Michael Duran was my father, Brian. By rights, I should never have been born. I dont know if I can work that one out. Ive talked to my mother and shes explained, but even so She shook her head. There are moments when Im not very good company. I cant ask you to live like that.

This time he did touch her. He walked around the table and lifted her out of the chair, his hands curling around her upper arms. Is that the reason youre givin up on us?

She refused to look at him.

For Christs sake, Caitlin. Dont tell me you think you are in any way responsible for your parents behavior before you were even born.

He knew her well. She would have chuckled if the subject matter had been different. But it wasnt. He left me money, she said, her voice low. I can afford the expenses and advertising for the training yard. Sometimes I feel as if I shouldnt have taken it, as if the money is tainted somehow, because of what he was, because of what he and my mother did.

She looked up. What she saw on his face gave her courage. I didnt want anyone to know, especially you, she confessed. I thought you would think less of me.

You deserve that money, Caitlin. The words rolled off his tongue, clearly, earnestly, without hesitation. There was no doubting his sincerity. So, a priest was your father. Theres no shame in that, only tragedy. Money is the least the man could have left you. The real shame would have been if he denied you, felt no responsibility for you and refused to support you.

She felt better, much better. It was freeing to come clean, to tell a man the worst about you and come out knowing it didnt matter to him after all. It was an epiphany of sorts, one she needed to arrive at on her own, one that needed the weeks of separation between them.

Dont you see, Caitlin? he continued earnestly. Your mother and Michael Duran were meant to be because you were meant to be, for me. Ive waited a lifetime for you. Without the two people you came from, you wouldnt be who you are. There isnt anyone else for me. Surely you can see that.

All at once she did, clearly, completely. Keeping her eyes on his, she slid her arms around his neck and brought his head down to hers. When did you first know you loved me? she whispered against his mouth.

That first night in the barn.

That was a long time ago.

Aye, he agreed. Now, please tell me you wont make me wait any more.

Brushing her lips against his, she asked, How do you feel about taking on a partner?

Were they both speaking English? Have you heard nothin Ive said to you, Caitlin Keneally? I want to marry you.

I mean a business partner.

Straight-faced, he went along with it. After all she deserved a bit of teasing after what shed put him through. Only if we sign one of those American prenuptial agreements.

Her eyes widened. Are you serious?

He nodded. Ill be your business partner if youll be my wife.

For the instant it took her to process his words, he felt the stir of misgiving. What if hed gone too far?

But then she smiled and her eyes danced with golden lights and something else, something that stole his breath and rolled his stomach into a quivering knot.

You have yourself a deal, Brian Hennessey.