Chapter 7

Colin dragged his hand through his hair and glanced at the clock. Days had passed, and he was no closer to finding a date worthy of Ellie.

She needed someone who wouldn’t stifle her smart mouth. He knew she tended to go shy around people she didn’t know, but she was so intelligent that it would only take the right conversation piece to get her to open up.

“I know you don’t want to hear this.” Candice’s voice over the phone was hesitant. “But I think Reginald might be perfect for her.”

“Hell no,” Colin replied. “He’s had only a handful of second dates in the year he’s been with us, and despite all the advice and coaching we gave him, the man is still a beast to his matches! If we encourage this without giving her another option, it could be disastrous.”

“You know that he’s a British citizen,” Candice pointed out. “And though he lives in Los Angeles most of the year, he still owns a home in England…on his ancestral estate.”

Colin shook his head, though Candice couldn’t see him. “I know what you’re getting at. Still no.”

“Boss, he’s everything that both of them asked for. He’s an as-yet-untitled Brit, who will receive his barony once his father passes. He has a steady job, a very nice income, intelligence, good hygiene, and is an avid reader. I believe that ticks all the boxes on this particular match.”

Candice couldn’t possibly know that Colin had to get Ellie’s match just right. She didn’t know his feelings for Ellie—not that I have any, of course—and Candice, at least, was acting in the best interest of their client. Of both their clients.

Candice continued, oblivious to Colin’s inner struggle, “Mike convinced him to take the etiquette courses, you know. And the interpersonal relationship course, too. He’s just finished them, and when I spoke with him yesterday, he was pleasant. Polite, even. And Mike said he’s been respectful when going over his mixer results.”

Colin snorted. Reginald was usually an ass on his best days. On his worst, Colin wouldn’t let the man anywhere near his staff.

Candice groaned in frustration. “Colin. We have to give the man a chance to prove he’s serious about changing his ways. We’ve been at this for days, and you’ve denied every potential match for Miss Carberry that Mike and I have sent your way, despite your asking us to help. You said yourself that you couldn’t find anyone suitable. You said she’s already agreed to go to his mixer. Is she so difficult to work with that there’s no one you’d match her with in our system?”

She’s the sweetest woman I’ve ever met was on the tip of his tongue, but instead he bit it back and closed his eyes. Ellie deserved a man who would treat her well, and love her, and hold her, and make her forget about her worries. His whole world would be devoted to bringing forth her smile and laughter, and he would see how kind and wonderful she was.

And you are not that man.

“See if he’s willing to travel to Ireland,” Colin capitulated, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. “If so, I’ll see it done.”

“Of course he will be. But I’ll confirm with you in the morning.”

They hung up, and Colin felt an acute pain in his chest. Rubbing it vigorously, he slowly closed his laptop and stared sightlessly at the papers in front of him. He knew he had to let Ellie go. Though it almost killed him to do it, he had other priorities that couldn’t be usurped.

Reginald Montgomery damn well better appreciate the pearl he was being given. Colin would personally see to it that the man was nothing but appreciative.

• • •

Ellie closed the book she was reading and glanced around the library restlessly. Colin was again at the office, and it was raining just hard enough to make her want to stay inside.

The trouble was, she was bored.

She’d been through each shelf in the library, almost figured out the coffee maker, and made small talk with the neighbors. She had experienced Boston’s subway system, which they called the T, which made her seriously rethink her hatred of the Tube. The T was a tangle of lines in which she became so turned around the week prior that she’d ended up somewhere called Quincy. Colin came and got her, laughing at her indignant exclamations.

But today, she had no desire to go anywhere. It was just past lunch, and Colin wasn’t due home for another two hours at least. Evelyn had promised to stop by before dinner, but that too was hours away.

She chewed her lip, then glanced at the closed door at the back of the room. It sat just next to the staircase leading down to the kitchen, and she knew it led up to Colin’s bedroom.

She could admit to being curious about it. He’d never offered to show it to her on the initial house tour, and she hadn’t thought to ask. When she finally remembered he needed a place to sleep, he’d merely replied, “It’s on the top floor,” then moved on to another subject.

She realized that she really, really wanted to see it. She promised herself she wouldn’t go through his underwear drawer, no matter how tempting it might be, and gave a nod. Yes.

To the bedroom.

Maybe it would offer some insight as to the inner workings of his mind, she thought as she opened the white paneled door. The steps were the same as the rest in the house—white and oak, with Oriental runners. Silently, she climbed higher, her eyes on the open door at the top of the stairs.

Carefully, she pushed open the door, and it fully opened. Her jaw dropped.

She stood at the far end of the room, the end closest to the back garden, and realized that he’d transformed the attics of the two brownstones into a veritable oasis of calm. The ceiling was pitched, and covered in wood boards that perfectly matched the beautiful old beams that supported the roof. To her immediate right, a window exactly like the one in the library overlooked the garden, but instead of smooth paint, the entire wall was exposed brick, with framed photos that hung at varying heights. The windowsill had a single gray cushion on it, made just for the curved space. A forgotten glass sat on the floor next to a copy of The Boston Globe newspaper.

She swept her eyes to her left, where the room opened up in a grand way. The walls were painted a medium gray, giving the room a decidedly masculine feel. On the platform bed, the gray-patterned comforter and white sheets were mussed, as though he had simply tossed them off when he woke and not spared them another thought.

Which is probably true, Ellie chuckled to herself. The housekeeper, Bev, would likely take care of making his bed, but she wasn’t due back for another few days.

Ellie stepped more fully into the room, noting the bedside table that was a mess of charging cords, a couple of cups, and a dry-looking financial book. She headed for the cream-colored leather couch and lightly dragged her fingers over its back as she studied the low coffee table, styled the same as the bedside table. A sleek, closed laptop and a wireless mouse were all that was on the table—not a speck of dust.

She had met Bev, and honestly, if Ellie were a speck of dust, she would be too afraid of the woman to land anywhere in the house. Bev’s dusting practices prompted Ellie to offer her a job in her bookstore at twice her salary here. Alas, Bev didn’t care to dust across the ocean, but it didn’t stop Ellie’s cleaning envy.

She stared at the sliding barn door in front of her, perplexed. About a third of the floor was all sleek, modern bedroom, but this kind of door somehow worked. Ellie was no designer, but she recognized quality when she saw it—and the entire room was definitely quality. The whole house was; if she hadn’t known Colin to be so down-to-earth, she’d be intimidated by the luxury surrounding her.

Carefully, she slid the door on its tracks, and stepped into a stunning bathroom. More gray, cream, and wood greeted her, all done in exquisite detail. A huge walk-in shower with walls of glass abutted a wooden vanity, with a solid stone cream countertop and double sinks. The walls looked like reclaimed wood, but Ellie quickly realized they were actually tile. There was a soaking tub with jets, and the toilet looked like something out of a spaceship.

It was unlike anything Ellie had ever seen.

She unabashedly opened one of two doors in the bathroom; the linen closet was neat and orderly (again, Ellie suspected that was more Bev’s work than Colin’s). She twisted the handle of the other door, her eyes widening at the expansive walk-in closet. Built-in shelves and drawers, made of the same dark wood as the tables in the bedroom, lined the walls. A small stool sat in the middle of the closet, a pair of suit pants and a suit jacket thrown on top of it. Her eyes were drawn to the large metal safe, and she walked towards it, wondering what was inside.

Ellie couldn’t help herself; she reached out and turned the large captain’s wheel of the safe. It turned fully, and she pulled the door open, taken aback that Colin would leave it unlocked. She glanced over her shoulder, just to be sure he wasn’t standing there watching her invade his personal space, and when she was reassured she was alone, she yanked the door all the way open.

A single long, very old sword was propped up inside.

A powerful sense of déjà vu swept over her so strongly, her knees buckled. Ellie leaned against the solid metal door of the safe, her breath coming in short gasps as terror seized her, her eyes glued to the blade.

She breathed deeply, inhaling the now-familiar scent of Colin, and slowly returned to her senses, though the déjà vu remained. Carefully, slowly, she crept closer to the sword. The blade looked slightly uneven, as though it had some nicks in it, but had been filed down. The handle was wrapped in leather, but otherwise unadorned.

Nothing that would inspire fear, for sure.

Clearly her conscience was catching up with her actions. It’s just guilt for snooping, she told herself, even as she reached out to touch the cool metal. She gasped as blood immediately welled to the surface of her fingers.

She popped her fingers in her mouth to stop the bleeding and, her eyes wide, she quickly closed the safe, and with it, the nagging feeling that she somehow knew about this sword. She studied the almost-invisible slice across her fingers and shuddered. The weapon might be old, but it was most definitely still deadly.

Strange that he owned one, but stranger still that it was hidden away. Ellie hurried out of the closet, then out of the bathroom and bedroom and back down the stairs to the safety of the library. Her hand was beginning to ache, and she redirected to the kitchen for some ice.

But, she thought as a small smile escaped her, I can’t say I regret the decision to go up the final set of stairs.

There was more to Colin O’Rourke than he let on, and she was determined to find out what that “more” entailed.

• • •

“I hear he owns half of California.” A very busty blonde puffed out her chest as a server refilled her drink.

A stunning brunette with deep red lipstick delicately waved her hand in the general direction of the Celtic Connections mixer. “Oh, stop! I heard he’s more of a Seattleite. What about you?”

Ellie gave a half smile, unsure what to say. Except for Colin’s less-than-flattering description of the man the night before, she had the same information on the bachelor they were all there to meet. What she did know was that her pantyhose were riding up her bum, her feet were beginning to ache from the new shoes she wore, and her dress was much too tight for her liking.

She blamed Gwen, Marks, and Spencer for all of it.

Before she could answer, the two women were distracted by Colin entering the room with another man. Ellie sighed softly; Colin was back in a suit, and he looked just as good as he had at the press conference. Perhaps even better, as he hadn’t shaved, and the five o’clock shadow made his face that much more rugged.

“Mmm hmmm,” the blonde murmured in response to Ellie’s sigh. “It’s a shame that he’s as cold as ice.”

Ellie frowned. “The bachelor?”

“Oh, no, the CEO,” the brunette explained. “Every time I see him at the Celtic Connections office, it’s always the same—he smiles, makes all the women drool over his hot body and gorgeousness, then has the audacity to remember our names and some facts about us…it’s just not right.”

“I don’t follow,” Ellie replied. “Why does that make him cold?”

“He never dates us. Ever. Even though the invitation is always open,” the blonde complained.

“He never dates intelligent women, though one of the requirements for getting invited to these is higher education. If he’s ever spotted with someone, it’s always a model of some sort,” the brunette explained.

“I’m sure there are intelligent models,” Ellie interjected. She’d never met a model in person before, but she had to imagine they weren’t all like the stereotypes presented on television.

“If so, he steers clear,” the blonde informed her. “It’s rather sad how he avoids commitment.”

“Well, he’s very good at his job,” Ellie offered, feeling the need to defend him a little. “I’m sure he just hasn’t met the right woman.”

The blonde sized Ellie up. “Oh dear. You’re so new to this game. Listen, I’m going to give you some friendly advice. Don’t get any ideas about Colin O’Rourke. Beautiful he is, but attainable, he is not. He’s known as the Untouchable.”

Ellie frowned again. Colin was warm, funny, and was quite clever when he wanted to be. And he could charm the pants off a nun if he put his mind to it…but unattainable? No one wanted to be lonely. Not that she would know what went on in his mind, of course, but if she were to hazard a guess—

“Ladies.” Colin was suddenly standing in front of them, a cool smile firmly in place. “Tamryn. It’s nice to see you again. Mike told me you’ve recently changed jobs?”

“I’m now the managing director of a hedge fund company out of Cambridge,” the blonde replied, giving her head a small shake. The cascade of artfully placed curls rippled down her shoulder.

“Are you still open to moving to the West Coast if things work out with this client?”

She nodded resolutely. “Of course. My career can travel as needed. Where’s he living currently?”

Colin was looking at his clipboard. “Los Angeles and Bristol.”

“Is Bristol in California?” the brunette asked.

“Good evening, Charlotte. Bristol is in England.”

Ellie’s eyes widened. “England?”

He gave her a small smile. “He lives half the year in Los Angeles, half in England. He’ll be out shortly. Ladies, you look beautiful. Good luck.”

The two women were regarding Ellie with open curiosity, but before they could ask her any questions, she charged after Colin.

“Why didn’t you mention that?”

He gave a smile over her head to someone before meeting her eyes. “I didn’t think it was important. You can do what you want with the information.” He leaned in and whispered, “Here’s an insider tip: He’s been my most difficult client of all time, though he swears he’s a changed man all of a sudden.” He pulled back and fought a smile as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I wonder who will take his place as Most Difficult Client?”

Ellie pursed her lips. “You think I’m a difficult client?”

Colin gave her a slight wink. “Well, his tagline isn’t as fun as yours. I mean, we all still must see if Britain’s American will take her cake…”

She physically unclenched her jaw. “Still the worst moniker in the history of the BBC, for sure. And that’s saying quite a lot.”

He cocked a brow. “Have a drink. And have fun. Maybe you’ll like him.” He glanced up at his coworker, who was waving at him, and gave a swift nod. “I’ve got to go. Enjoy yourself.” He turned, then stopped and looked back at her. “You look radiant tonight.” He quickly walked away, typing something into his phone, leaving Ellie speechless.

He made his way to the front of the room and started his speech. “Ladies, thank you for coming tonight. I know each of you would make a wonderful life partner for our gentleman. You’ll see that your nametags are colored; you’re paired up by twos for the next hour. We’ll go from group to group, so that all of you can have a chance to meet him. Then he’ll choose three women for some one-on-one conversation, and then from those women, he’ll select one for a date of your time, the activity his choosing. So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to Reginald Montgomery.”

Ellie watched in bemused fascination as the other nine women in the room quickly straightened dresses, smacked lips, stood taller, and pushed their chests as far out as possible. Her judging stopped there, however, as a handsome man joined Colin on stage.

“Wow,” someone breathed from behind her.

“I know! He looks like that guy who played Superman…what was his name?” another woman murmured.

“Henry Cavill?” someone replied dreamily.

“Yes, that’s it! I wonder if they’re related?”

“Wow.”

“You said that already,” the woman pointed out, but her voice was breathy. “But I think he warrants a double wow.”

Ellie looked around her at all the intelligent, tall, beautiful women around her. Then she glanced up at the men and realized that they, too, were intelligent, tall, and beautiful.

This is so far out of my league, she thought, panic settling into her stomach.

She didn’t care to impress Reginald Whatever-His-Name-Was, but she definitely didn’t want Colin to see the shy, awkward side of her.

He’d already seen enough of the clumsy one to last her a lifetime.

She found her color-coded partner, who was, of course, Tamryn—her opposite in every way. Tall, blonde, legs that went on forever…and her job title of hedge fund something with a side of something bigger.

“So, how do you know Colin?” Tamryn asked nonchalantly, as Reginald and Colin began making the rounds.

Ellie shifted uncomfortably. “Um…”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh. It’s like that.”

“Not at all!” Ellie exclaimed, turning pink. “He’s too…”

“Untouchable?”

Ellie sighed, casting a glance at Colin’s profile. “Yeah. I met him when he was setting up his UK office.”

Tamryn nodded. “What do you do for a living?”

Ellie opened her mouth to answer, but Colin’s voice made her spin around. And, of course, as she was in new shoes (or so she told herself every time it happened), she lost her balance, flailed a bit, and hit—

No, wait a second. She wasn’t on the ground. She was being held up by two hands, attached to two forearms, which were attached to two rather nice biceps.

Her eyes traveled up, into the smiling face of Superman—no, Reginald.

“We didn’t mean to startle you,” he said, his voice smooth and deep. Decidedly American accent and a smile that went all the way into his light blue eyes.

Ellie gave a quick, embarrassed smile and disentangled herself with a muttered, “You didn’t, no worries.”

“You’re British?” he asked, surprised.

“Well, sort of…I mean, I am. I live there. But I’m not really, by birth, I mean—”

Tamryn held out her hand, interrupting Ellie. “I’m Tamryn.”

“Reginald. And you are…Eleanor,” he replied, peering at her nametag.

“Yes, but I go by Ellie. Sometimes El; that’s what my friends call me sometimes, right? So mostly Ellie, though—”

Colin interrupted quickly. “Ellie currently lives in London, and Tamryn works in the financial field. Perhaps you’ve heard of her company, Reg?”

Reginald and Tamryn chatted for a couple of minutes, but he quickly turned his attention back to Ellie. “Are you in finance too, Ellie?”

“Ah, no.”

“What things do you do to fill your time?”

“I read a lot. I’m a bookseller. Well, I mean, I sell books, but they’re not the easy-to-find ones, you know.”

Tamryn snorted before covering it with a cough. Ellie wished the floor would open up and swallow her—or that Colin would move Reginald onto the next pair already. Her palms were sweaty, and she knew Tamryn was judging her responses, and worse, maybe Colin was too, and she couldn’t even remember that she was a successful business owner in a very tough field…

“British literature?”

Ellie blinked out of her nerves. “Well…it depends on my mood, really. Lately I’ve been reading a bit of early American modernism.”

“Ah, yes. The Great Gatsby always fascinated me. And that green light…It was the highlight of my high school education.”

Ellie let out a small laugh, the tension easing slightly from her body. “Isn’t it everyone’s highlight? I’ve always found the parallels between Gatsby and Fitzgerald fascinating. He put a lot of himself into Gatsby, didn’t you think?”

“Yes! Didn’t Fitzgerald have a relationship with someone who inspired Daisy, and the story plays out that dynamic?”

“That’s the suspicion,” Ellie agreed. “I’ve yet to read a biography on Fitzgerald, though. I think that would offer great insights into the man, and his life.”

“Tamryn, your life has been quite busy lately,” Colin cut in smoothly. “Have you been able to find any time for pleasure reading lately?”

“I have, actually.” She sent a radiant smile Reginald’s way. “Last month, I was on a plane to Thailand, where I helped fund an orphanage. I used the down time to read The Five People You Meet in Heaven.”

“Oh, I adored that book!” Ellie exclaimed. “Mitch Albom is such a wonderful writer!”

“I haven’t read that yet,” Reginald said.

“Oh, you must! It’s a sweet, almost heartbreaking tale of—what?”

Colin was giving her little head shakes and tightening his lips.

Oh. Right. It was Tamryn’s turn to chat with Reginald. Ellie’s flushed, feeling suddenly foolish. She floundered for something clever to say, but ended up just staying silent.

And red faced.

“I think what Eleanor was trying to say is that it’s a great little book,” Tamryn finally said. “But my last professional read was the latest by the new CEO of…”

Ellie tuned out and tried to remain invisible for rest of the conversation, but every time she risked a glance up from her shoes, Colin was watching her, a look of concern playing about his features.

Finally, the two men made their way to the next group, and Ellie headed for the refreshment table, where she hid for the rest of the hour.

When it was time for Reginald to pick his three minidates, Ellie wondered if she could fit under the table. It didn’t look promising.

Colin stepped onto the small platform again. He looked at ease, but Ellie noticed tight lines in his forehead that hadn’t been there earlier. “Reginald’s had to make some very difficult decisions tonight. He’s requested his one-on-one conversations to be with Teresa, Kelly, and—” his voice caught slightly “—Eleanor. If you three would like to continue your acquaintance with Reginald, please remain.”

The other women shook hands and began to file out, leaving Ellie alone with Teresa, Kelly, and Colin.

“Teresa, you’re up first. He’s right through there.”

She flashed a bright white smile and disappeared through the door.

“You know, Colin, I just don’t think he’s right for me,” Kelly said after a moment. “I’ve been thinking about it, and I don’t think I’m willing to relocate to the West Coast right now. My mom is in remission, but…”

“I understand, Kelly. Don’t even worry about it. I’ll give you a call if any East Coast candidates come up, okay?”

She smiled gratefully at him. “Thanks, Colin. You’re the best.”

After the door closed behind her, he stroked his chin. “I think I have a better match for her.”

“Great. I don’t have to go in there, do I?” Ellie blurted out.

Taken aback, Colin shrugged. “Of course not. But you did seem interested…”

She crossed her arms. “I said very little to him! How could I have seemed interested?”

Colin raised an eyebrow. “Your deep discussion of Fitzgerald notwithstanding…”

“He was talking books, Colin!”

“I know. You lit up like a kid at Christmas when he mentioned a light or something.”

“The green light at the end of Gatsby? Come on, Colin, who wouldn’t be excited about that?” she demanded. His face gave away his answer, and she deflated. “Right. My inner nerd is showing again.”

Colin laughed. “Don’t hide your inner nerd. But maybe she could let others talk about the book they’d last read without inserting her thoughts on the subject.”

“Ouch. Point taken, Mr. O’Rourke.” Ellie paused. “That was rude, I suppose. I didn’t mean for it to be. I’m not great in social settings.”

“You were fine, El. And I don’t think Reginald saw it as rude. But Tamryn sure did.”

Ellie chewed her lip, unsure what to say, but Colin saved her from responding when he snorted and added, “I wouldn’t worry about it. She wasn’t Reginald’s type.”

“Why not?”

“She’s a hellcat. He needs less drama in his life, someone to balance him a bit.”

“Right.” Ellie fell silent again. “So what now?”

“Well, if you want to, you go in and talk with him. Mike, one of my employees, is in the room, too. You chat for a half hour or so, and then you leave. If Reginald’s interested in a date, he’ll let us know and we’ll contact you, at which point you can tell us if you’re also interested.”

“What about all the other dates I’m supposed to be going on?”

“It’s a date, Eleanor, not a marriage contract. You’re not tied to a single candidate.”

“I hate this.”

“I know. You don’t have to do it.”

At the hint of hope she thought she heard in his voice, Ellie searched his eyes for some sign of interest, but there wasn’t a flicker of emotion anywhere.

Colin’s words came back to her in a rush. I’d match her with the best man the world had to offer.

“I’ll go in,” she finally said.

He nodded, then checked his phone. The Untouchable, indeed.

• • •

Ellie sat on top of her suitcase and triumphantly zipped it closed. She hopped off and immediately wiped out, landing hard on her backside.

“Ow, ow, ow.” She stood up slowly, rubbing her tailbone, and hobbled over to the exceedingly comfortable bed she’d slept in for the past week. She looked around at the pale blue walls, the crisp white bedding, the beautiful local artwork from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. She ran her fingers over the decor—dried coral and starfish, a brass spyglass, even an old compass. It was homey and cozy, and she didn’t want to leave.

Which is silly, as my home is in London, with my gorgeous bookshop and little flat.

She wandered to the window that overlooked the street and watched the people for a moment. Two women were walking a large brown dog on the sidewalk, chatting with each other and smiling. A little old man waved to them, and they crossed the road to talk with him; the dog patiently lay down as though this were something it was used to doing.

The cell phone rang loudly, startling Ellie. Though Emma had called twice to check in, the phone remained largely silent, just as Ellie preferred. She answered it with a smile on the second ring.

“Hello, Winnie!”

“Eleanor, I miss you so. Are you enjoying yourself over there?”

“Of course! Boston is a lovely city.”

Winnie hmmphed. “I’ve asked Mrs. MacWilliam about the dates they’ve set up for you, and she won’t give me any information, citing privacy concerns! Can you imagine!?”

Ellie smiled at her outrage. “Winnie, you asked a favor of me, and I granted it, didn’t I?”

Silence. Then, suspiciously, “You did.”

“I’m asking you a favor now. Please back off. Let me do this my way.” As in, find a way to either get over Colin quickly, or convince him he should be madly in love with me. As those thoughts had kept her up most of the night before, Ellie shoved them to the back of her mind and continued, “No interference.”

“As long as you promise me you’ll give these men a chance, I won’t bother you again about it. And by men, I mean more than one date, Eleanor. You’ll have your pick of the best, you understand.”

If Ellie had learned anything while sorting through Colin’s work files, it was that Celtic Connections certainly did recruit some amazing candidates for its clients. The lengths they went to for background checks, interviews, personality tests, even polygraphs, allayed any concerns she’d thought she had.

Pick of the best seemed a little far-fetched, though. “You realize that I am not exactly a shining diamond? I know you think so because I’m your niece, but you know I’m not the prettiest woman. I don’t even look British—and I don’t think looking American qualifies me as exotic, no matter how many times you try to convince me otherwise,” she said, swiftly cutting her off. “I’m just another boring bookworm who hasn’t any idea as to what’s in fashion. I’m quite plain.”

“Someday, someone will show you your worth, Eleanor Rose. And when he does, all these negative thoughts will begin to disappear. I won’t pester you about your gentlemen callers, but promise me that you will try more than one date, with more than one man.”

“You are insane,” Ellie informed her.

“Promise me, darling, or I’ll continue to bother you and Mrs. MacWilliam.”

“Fine, I promise to try!”

“That’s a dear. Boston is so…interesting. I’ve only been once and I remember not being able to understand its residents. Good night!”

Winnie disconnected the call, leaving Ellie laughing at the silent phone in her hand. Personally, she enjoyed the Boston accent, though Colin didn’t really possess one.

“What’s so funny?”

Speak of the devil. The nice, charming, so-handsome-it-hurt-to-look-at-him, untouchable devil.

She gestured to the phone. “My aunt. She has a wicked sense of humor.”

“Hmm. Perhaps someday I’ll see it. I heard something fall.”

Ellie blinked rapidly. “Oh. That was my suitcase.”

He glanced at it on the bed, then snickered. “Liar. Did you trip on the rug or walk into the door?”

“Fell off the suitcase,” she admitted. “I’m okay.”

He guffawed. “Good God, Ellie. Never change.” He gave her a small salute and headed back downstairs, chuckling to himself.

Ellie absently rubbed her tailbone and realized with a start that she wasn’t embarrassed. In fact, she had a rather strange feeling in her chest, and it took her a moment to realize what it was.

Acceptance.

She was clumsy. And perhaps that was okay. She patted the suitcase and grinned.

Yeah. It was okay.

• • •

“So you’re heading back tonight?”

Colin poured a disgusting amount of maple syrup over a tall stack of pancakes and bacon. “Yep.”

James O’Rourke, Colin’s elder brother, sat at their mother’s table, eyeing the plate of food in front of Colin. “That’s a heart attack on a plate, you know.”

“Good thing there’s a doctor in the house,” Colin replied around a mouthful of food. He nodded towards Ellie. “Help yourself, there’s always more where that came from.”

“It’s true, I always have extras warming in the oven,” Evelyn confirmed to Ellie. She asked James, “How is California, dear?”

“Hot,” James replied, buttering his toast. His cell phone rang, but he silenced it without looking at the caller. “Very brown. The drought is really something out there.”

“How’s Hail…okay, I guess I’m not supposed to ask about your wife?” Colin asked, confused, as his mother made frantic shakes of her head and slicing motions at her throat.

“Subtle, Evelyn.” Connor O’Rourke, the family patriarch, sighed and folded his newspaper down.

“Ex-wife.”

Colin dropped his fork.

“Hailey left me for a nurse.”

“She left the head of the emergency department for a nurse?” Colin quickly explained to Ellie, “Nothing wrong with the profession. But even a well-paid nurse wouldn’t be enough for Hailey.”

“Colin!” Evelyn exclaimed.

“It’s a fair point,” James agreed, taking a loud bite of the toast. “It’s not as crazy as it sounds. I worked all the time. She found someone who had better hours, and when I came home last week, I caught them together. For a long while, she had the best of both worlds—a sugar daddy and a playboy.”

Colin had never liked James’s wife, but he never would have imagined the gold-digging woman would cheat on his brother. James was kind, decent, all sorts of perfect—and Hailey would believe anything less than the best was lowering herself. In fact, James had taken his current position as chief physician for the emergency department of one of California’s top hospitals just to please her, as the salary was well above what he’d made when he lived in Massachusetts. Hailey always seemed to enjoy the title of “the doctor’s wife,” even if she didn’t play the part well.

Colin blinked at his brother. Did you know it was coming? was on the tip of his tongue, but he checked himself. Instead, he placed a hand on his shoulder. “That was shi—”

“Colin Seamus O’Rourke, we have a guest,” Evelyn warned.

“I’m so sorry,” Ellie said quietly, drawing James’s attention. “That was poorly done of her, regardless of your work hours. Vows are sacred.”

James gave her a sad smile. “Thank you. I wish everyone thought that way.”

“How long are you in town?” Colin asked as his dad helped himself to more sausage. Connor offered some to Ellie, and she gently shook her head, but offered a smile so sweet it made Colin’s heart skip a beat.

The lucky man she ends up with will have her loyalty. The thought pained him, but Colin embraced the pain. Better his misery than hers—he’d endure all sorts of torture to ensure she led a happy life. She deserved at least that.

“I had already set up a sabbatical. One year off, starting last week. The day I walked in on them, actually. I’d planned to surprise her, take her on a world adventure.” James cleared his throat and looked up at his mom, who was wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. “Don’t be sad, Mom. Things happen for a reason. We’re not right for each other.”

“I’m sorry, bro.” Colin reached out and gave him a brotherly slap on the back.

“Colin, knock it off and say what’s on your mind already. Your maturity is showing.”

“Bummer. I was just about to noogie you, too.”

Ellie snorted into her napkin. “Were they always like this growing up?”

“Worse,” Connor confirmed. “Instead of Colin holding his tongue, as he is so wisely doing right now, things would get a bit loud.”

“Loud?” Evelyn scoffed. “That was the least of it. Everything in this house, at one point or another, has been broken in a scuffle between these two.”

Colin watched Ellie joke with his parents, listening to their stories of his childhood. Her face glowed, and her eyes sparkled whenever a particular bit of mischief was revealed.

“She’s something special,” James murmured, as Evelyn dragged Ellie to the living room to show her one of Colin’s unfortunate school pictures on display.

Colin snapped his gaze to him. “Stop.”

“You deserve happiness, Col. It’s obvious how you feel about her.”

“Then I better work harder to hide it, because I’m not going there.” He clenched his jaw. “Ever.”

“…Ireland tonight.” Ellie glanced at the brothers as she reentered the kitchen. “I’m not sure what time we leave, though.”

James pushed back from the table and headed for the sink, plate in hand. “I guess being a big shot CEO means you can leave pretty much whenever you want to, doesn’t it? Is Les driving?”

Colin laughed. “Yes, Les is flying us. We’re scheduled to leave this afternoon. If you brought your passport along, you’re welcome to join us.”

“World tour, remember? Of course I brought it.”

“I’m so proud of you boys.” Evelyn beamed at them, making Colin squirm a little. He loved his mother, but sometimes her pride in them made him a little uncomfortable. After all, Brianagh had set him up very well before she left. The foray into international waters was the first time he could take full credit for something at Celtic Connections, and he didn’t want to fail.

One more reason to get Ellie matched and married as soon as possible. Then, he could be done with being around her all the time, and continue on with his life.

And I’ll be just as fine without her as I was before I met her.

He felt her watching him, and when he looked up, she gave him a radiant smile that struck him dead center.

Yeah, right.