Page 15 of Whiskey & Witches
Had it done them both more harm than good?
When he went to tuck Aeden in, he’d found him gone. A look outside had shown his son creeping down the road toward Roisin’s cottage. Carrick had followed at a slower pace, careful to keep him within his sight, to see what the boy had planned. And when he’d come around the bend and saw him approach Roisin, he waited to see how the boy would react. He didn’t understand why Aeden had snuck off tonight, but he intended to find out. He opened his mouth to ask, but the fire behind Roisin caught his attention. With a quick scan of the area, Carrick looked for any lingering threat but immediately noticed her missing roof.
“What the feck happened here, Ro—uh, Meg?”
He felt Aeden’s hand jerk within his, and he looked down. The confusion on his son’s face was disconcerting. His troubled gaze darted between Carrick and Roisin as if he were trying to figure out a puzzle, and Aeden reached for his mother’s hair, reverently running a finger through one of her corkscrew curls.
A breath caught in Carrick’s chest, and his gaze locked with Roisin’s. Her confusion appeared equal to his.
“This is the second time tonight, Aeden has become enthralled by this unruly mop of mine,” she said softly with a sweet half-smile.
She tried to stand and ended up staggering forward. Carrick released Aeden to catch her, and he held her steady within the circle of his arms. He unwittingly buried his nose in her hair, and the sweet lilac scent caused him to close his eyes and savor the fragrance. Only Roisin had that unique scent, one she concocted from the flowers in her garden. It brought him back to better times, and he never wanted to let her go.
Her fingertips brushed his jaw, butterfly soft, then she whispered, “Don’t show any reaction for Aeden’s sake, but to answer your question, my house was torched tonight, Carrick. That’s the fire you see in the field.”
He exhaled in a harsh breath and struggled to suppress his blinding fear and resulting rage that she’d been attacked twice in one day. Seemed some scumbag was upping their game.
With a nod and a light kiss to her temple, he set her away from him, keeping hold only long enough to make sure she was steady on her feet. Other than gingerly steps, she appeared able to move without assistance. But he couldn’t resist holding her again, so he scooped her into his arms and ignored her outraged squawk. “Let’s get you out of the cold.”
She’d blister his ears later, and he’d take his punishment, but there was no way he intended to let her suffer in pain a moment longer than necessary.
“It’s just as cold in the cottage,” she replied dryly. “I’m afraid the new opening has let the evening mist settle inside.”
Carrick stopped short as he registered the truth of her words. He looked from her to Aeden to the fire to the cottage and back at her. “Sure, you’ll come home with us then.”
CHAPTER5
Roisin stared at Carrick as if he’d lost his fecking mind—and likely he had. She hadn’t realized she’d said it aloud until he laughed. Jaysus, she missed that deep, all-encompassing laugh. It was like a warm hug, wrapping around her and stirring up all the old feelings: love, happiness, togetherness.
A glance back at Aeden showed he was bemused, but his lips were no longer turned down, and he seemed okay with the fact his father was carrying her. Of course, she wasn’t disguised as Meg with her flawless complexion and straight reddish-blonde hair, but Aeden appeared to like Roisin’s wonky hairstyle better anyway. His fascination was reminiscent of when he was a baby, and for a moment, she almost believed he’d recognized her.
But then his temper had emerged, and he’d shoved her backward in the dirt. Her heart silently wept when he raised his fist to her and she once more became the hated Witch of the Woods. Shock had held her in place, or she’d have stopped the tantrum immediately. Thank the Goddess, Carrick had arrived when he had, or the incident would’ve been that much worse.
She briefly wondered where Aeden’s temper had stemmed from. Her son had never shown that type of strong emotion in his entire life. He’d always been a good-natured happy child. However, things weren’t normal anymore, and she had to remember to tread carefully.
“What has you thinking so hard, Ro?” Carrick’s voice was pitched low for her ears alone.
“Aeden. He had a right powerful rage when he struck out. I haven’t been able to reason why.”
“We’ll ask him in due time. I’ll not have him hitting women or those who won’t defend themselves, all the same.” He gave her a pointed look. “You’ll not take abuse from anyone, love. I’ll not have it.”
Her lips twitched. “You’ll not, huh? Well, Carrick O’Malley, I thank you for your timely intervention, but I’d have handled it in my way,all the same.”
“Jaysus, I want to kiss your smart mouth right now. I would, too, if our shadow wasn’t watching us as closely as he is.”
“You’ll keep your kisses to yourself. Nothing’s been resolved between us.”
“Ro—”
“Just take me inside and summon the Thorne witch. Perhaps she can loan me some of her magic to secure a new roof.”
“You’re not staying here,” he said sternly.
“It’s my home, Carrick.”
He jerked as if struck and stopped walking. His mouth opened and closed as if he wanted to argue, but he had to know it wasn’t the time with their son inches away and his ears tuned in to every word they spoke. Jaw like granite, Carrick strode into her humble abode and eased her onto the table.
He called out to Aeden and stopped him before he could come inside. “There are nails scattered on the floor. Wait where ya are.”
