To Breathe Again (8 page)

Kelsey laughed through her tears. “I’m so glad to hear that.” She wondered whether his mother had told him about them getting someone else’s bad news. She decided not to mention it. All that mattered now was that he was alive and here with them. With her.

She perched on the edge of the bed. “How do you feel? Are you in pain?”

He nodded. “A little. They gave me some drugs.” His voice was drowsy. “But that doesn’t matter. You’re here. And you’re going to be my wife. A bullet to the shoulder is nothing compared to a future without you in it.”

“I agree.” Kelsey giggled and then her tone turned serious. “Do you know who did it?”

Shaun nodded and the grey in his eyes deepened. “The police were here a few minutes ago. It was Carmen’s father.”

Anger heated Kelsey’s cheeks. “That bastard. How could he?”

“The police found him hiding in the woods not long after the ambulance picked me up.”

Silence filled the space between them. They were both thinking the same thing. It must have been awful for Nick to lose both his daughter and his wife. But that didn’t excuse what he did.

Kelsey didn’t miss the struggle between anger and empathy that painted Shaun’s face. “I’m just glad you’re okay,” she said. “I think it’s best we keep a low profile from now on.” Kelsey gently touched the bandage. “I wouldn’t want you to get hurt again.”

“I know. But I have a feeling I’ll be a target even behind closed doors.” He blinked. “This is my hometown. I cannot let them drive me away.” He narrowed his eyes. “Why are you wearing a blanket? Are you okay?”

“Never been better,” Kelsey said. “I was just outside for… a walk. I got caught in the rain.”

Chapter Twenty-One

After all these years, the dirty white building with its reinforced concrete walls and razor wire fence still unleashed dread within Shaun. He stood outside the gate for a while, rubbing his wrists unconsciously, the way he had every time the handcuffs had been removed.

He took several breaths, and then forced himself to go inside.

He pressed a bell and the small gate yawned open. He had only spent a week in the tiny and cramped Serendipity jail before being moved to a larger county jail in Madison, where he’d awaited his trial.

Apart from the fear, jail hadn’t been so bad. It didn’t come close to how it had been in prison, which made even the strongest men cry for their mothers.

As he walked toward the guard, he recalled his life behind bars—the sound of steel against steel, the cold cement, the thin mattress that had been hell to sleep on. Most of all, he remembered how it had smelled—metallic, the ever-present mildew, the sweat, the vomit, the urine.

Forcing himself to breathe, he approached the visitors’ desk to show his ID, went through security, locked his belongings in a locker, and was led into the waiting room, which had a sheet of glass along the length of one wall and numbers in front of each chair facing the glass.

He walked over to the number assigned to him and lightly touched the strap of the sling that supported his arm. Three days after being shot, he had insisted on checking himself out of the hospital. He had the sling, he had the painkillers. Lying in a hospital bed was a waste of time. He had things to do.

Five minutes later, the man he was here to visit appeared on the other side of the glass. His eyes were dark, empty holes, his hair was greasy, and his beard greyer than when Shaun had seen him at Garrett’s office building. And he had a cut above his right eye. With difficulty, he lowered himself into the chair opposite Shaun, on the other side of the glass partition and licked his cracked lips.

Shaun cleared his throat and with his good arm, he reached for the handset. Nick hesitated, then he did the same. He didn’t say anything, just waited. Shaun expected him to explode with further insults and accusations, but perhaps he was too broken now. Shaun felt a pang of pity for the man.

“Nick,” Shaun said.

Nick nodded. “Shaun.”

“Are they treating you all right?”

Nick’s eyes flitted to one of the guards in the room and then he nodded again. “What do you want?” His voice was empty. The fight had gone out of him.

Shaun drew a breath. “To tell you what I told you last time we met. I’m truly sorry for your loss.”

Nick shrugged, but Shaun saw the sparkle in his eyes. He moved the handset from his ear and placed it on his leg. Then he pinched the bridge of his nose. When he picked it up again, his eyes felt hot. “I have some things that meant a lot to her… Carmen. You can have some of them. If you want.”

Nick blinked several times. He didn’t need to speak for Shaun to know he accepted the offer.

“Nick, Carmen was my life. When she died, I died inside. All those years I was a shell. I wanted to die, to be with her. I loved her more than I’ve ever loved any woman. I understand your pain.”

“You have no fuckin’ idea what I’m going through.” The words were strong, but Nick’s voice was still flat.

“You’re right. I have no idea. I lost one person I love. You lost two.” The pain in Shaun’s shoulder flared for a moment, but he ignored it. “You still had no right to try and kill me.” He shook his head. “But look, Nick. You’ve gone through enough. You don’t belong here. I’m going to drop the charges, let you go free.”

Nick wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and then he nodded. He was quiet for a long time, and then he parted his lips. His voice was so soft, Shaun almost didn’t hear him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Shaun wiped his own eyes. “You can pick up Carmen’s things from my mother’s house anytime. Call before you show up so I can make myself scarce.”

A tiny smile curled Nick’s mouth, and Shaun realized that the last time he’d seen the man smile had been at the wedding. He’d liked Nick then, and Nick had liked him.

“I have to go now,” Shaun said. “Take care of yourself, Nick. Goodbye.”

Nick nodded and placed the handset back in its cradle. He remained sitting as Shaun put down his own and walked to the door.

Outside, in the fresh air, Shaun sighed with relief. He climbed back inside the truck and kissed Kelsey. “Thanks for making me go see him. I think it was good for both of us.”

“He didn’t try to attack you through the glass, I hope.” Kelsey started the engine.

“No, he looked defeated. I felt sorry for him. His whole family is gone. I just couldn’t let him go to prison.”

Kelsey smiled. “You did the right thing. You’re the most wonderful man I know.”

“I wouldn’t be that without you, Kelsey. I hope you know that.”

Kelsey stole a glance at him. “Never forget that.” She laughed. “Actually, I won’t let you forget that.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Come on, tell me where we’re going,” Kelsey begged Shaun as she slipped into her champagne-colored peep-toes. It had been a while since she’d dressed up. Excitement trickled through her body.

This morning, Shaun had left the house before six and showed up just before lunch. He’d whisked her off to a glamorous clothing store, where he bought her an evening gown. After that, he drove her to Stalford Jewelers, where he splurged on an expensive diamond necklace with matching earrings. The whole time he’d had a grin on his face, but he refused to say what he was up to.

“Stop begging. I’m a man of my word. I shall reveal nothing.” He came and kissed her on the side of the neck before reaching for his cufflinks.

She had never seen him in a tuxedo before, and he looked sexier than ever. He had also been to the hairdresser, and his glossy hair was much shorter now. He looked like an undiscovered male model, and Kelsey glowed just knowing he was her man.

“Done,” Kelsey said, admiring herself in the mirror. Her hair fell to her shoulders in soft waves, and one side was pinned up above the ear in a diamond butterfly clip Rachel had given her. Her eyes sparkled like the jewels in her ears and around her neck. The black strapless gown made her look elegant and sexy. She was ready for anything.

“Good, let’s hit the road.” Shaun reached out his hand for hers. “I cannot wait to take you out, my lady.”

“Yes, sir.” Kelsey stood from the padded stool and wrapped her fingers around his.

Rachel, who looked graceful in a maroon and black knee-length lace dress, had tears in her eyes. She covered her mouth as she watched them coming down the stairs. “You two look stunning. You were just made for each other, weren’t you?”

“Don’t we know it,” Shaun said. Kelsey just smiled.

Rachel picked up her clutch purse from the couch and opened the front door. Kelsey gasped.

Dustin was wearing a tuxedo and had his hair slicked back. Behind him, a sleek black limousine gleamed in the driveway.

Kelsey glanced at Shaun. “You went all out, didn’t you?”

“Anything for my girl. I’m lucky to have a brother who owns a limousine. Made things that much easier.”

Kelsey gazed back at Dustin—the man who had been halfway up a tree in dirty work clothes when she’d seen him for the first time, the man who popped in and out of his mother’s house to fix leaking pipes and blocked toilets. It seemed he was a man of many colors.

Dustin opened the door of the limo for them, then got behind the wheel. As they sank back into the cream leather and burnished wood interior, he smiled at them from in front of the glass partition and peeled out of the driveway.

Kelsey turned to Shaun. “I have the feeling you and your family have been up to something behind my back. I’m surprised the rest of your brothers aren’t here. When will you tell me what this is about?”

Rachel and Shaun laughed.

Shaun took a breath and wove his fingers into Kelsey’s. “You’ll know soon enough. Just sit back and enjoy yourself.”

Twenty minutes later, Dustin drove them through a wide cast iron gate and up toward a lit mansion.

“Wow,” she breathed. “Whose place is this? It’s gorgeous.”

“I’m glad you approve.” Dustin pulled up in front of a glowing fountain.

“This is your home, Dustin?” It seemed she really didn’t know him at all.

“My house,” he said. “My home is where my mother lives.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Rachel unfastened her seatbelt and opened the door.

Kelsey stared up at the elegant roman columns before Shaun took her arm and led her up the stone steps.

The double doors opened, and Garrett and Cole stood before them in tuxes. Behind them, waitresses held sparkling champagne flutes on silver trays. Garrett and Cole kissed Kelsey on the cheek and stepped back.

Kelsey blinked at them and opened her mouth to ask what was happening when Shaun dropped to his knee right there in the doorway and gazed up at her.

“Last time I did this, something went wrong.” He laughed, his eyes twinkling. “This time, I made sure nothing bad could happen. So, let me ask you again.” He held up the same ring he had presented her at the festival. “Kelsey O’Neil, will you marry me?”

Tears welled up in Kelsey’s eyes. “Where did you find it?” she asked, her hand on her chest. “I thought it was lost.”

“Someone found it in the grass. They gave it to me at the hospital. Now, can you give me my answer before my knees go numb?”

“Shaun, what can I say? Of course. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife.” She extended her hand, and he slipped on the ring. When he stood up, he was crying too. Rachel sniffled next to them.

Their kiss was long and deep, and then he leaned down to whisper into her ear. “I sped things up a little. Welcome to our engagement party.”

At that moment, music started playing and glasses of champagne were pressed into their hands. As Kelsey watched in amazement, people started appearing in the doorways. Among them were Melisa and Heat, as well as their son Ben and his girlfriend.

Kelsey leaned her head back and laughed to stop herself from crying tears of joy.

***

This was one night Kelsey would remember for the rest of her life. But as much as she enjoyed the food and music, and the panoramic views of Serendipity Lake, she couldn’t wait to start her life with the man she loved. True love was never guaranteed for anyone, and somehow she had found it.

No matter what happened, she would try never to forget how lucky she was. The price they’d paid to get here was nothing compared to the happiness they’d found in each other. Shaun was everything she had ever wished for and more than she had ever known she wanted.

Chapter Twenty-Three

As they ate, Kelsey looked around in awe. All that was missing from the engagement party were her friends and family. Of course Shaun had found a way to include them.

After dinner, he led her into a large conference room, where Dustin turned down the lights and flicked on a large flat screen TV on the wall. Seconds later, video clips of her loved ones played for all to see. Maria, Delia, and even Maeve and her parents congratulated Shaun and Kelsey on their engagement.

“You’re amazing,” Kelsey whispered to Shaun when the screen turned off and the lights came back on. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes for about the hundredth time.

Shaun pulled her close as Dustin discreetly left the room. “Want to show me just how amazing I am?” he said with a wicked grin. He removed his hands from around her waist and went to the double doors. Kelsey heard the click as he locked them. Without a word, he picked her up from her chair and laid her across the gleaming conference table.

“You naughty boy,” she gasped as he pushed her dress up to her waist.

He placed a finger on her lips. “Shhh. We have to be quiet.”

Kelsey giggled and pursed her lips, but not for long. Shaun lowered himself onto her and parted her lips with his tongue. Then he pushed it into her mouth.

Kelsey melted instantly. She pulled his head closer and kissed him back, the passion flowing between them like electricity. Shaun pushed her panties to one side and his breathing deepened as he unzipped his trousers. Moments later, he pushed her legs apart with his hands and knees while his lips were still glued to hers. And then, with one deep thrust, he was inside her.