Chapter Twenty-Five
“I’m not going,and you can’t make me.”
Catriona sighed at Cary, who crossed his little arms, his beautiful face set in stone.
“School isn’t a prison. And I’m not sending you right away, only next September. That’s many months away, all after summer. Don’t you want to learn new things?”
Cary kicked the air, and Ted did the same as his brother, making Chewy bark. Her sons, or soon-to-be as soon as the papers would finally be official, were a handful, but they’d learn that being kind didn’t mean she’d yield easily. They were learning to live a normal life with each other, and it wasn’t an easy task, but Catriona couldn’t be happier.
Both Cary and Ted softened her heart and enriched her life. The weeks she had spent with only the two of them were both the hardest and truest of her life and had confirmed that everything she’d renounced was nothing compared to what she’d gained.
“I don’t want to be smart. You told me I’m already smart. And Liam said the same.”
The name of the man who still made her heart stutter, reminded her of the only person who’d made her complete. How much she’d wanted to profess her love to him if she’d seen an opening.
“You’re intelligent, but you could be so much more. But we don’t have to talk about it right now. Why don’t you and Ted go play with Chewy in the back yard? I’m preparing dinner.”
“And can we watch a movie on the TV tonight? One with those funny speaking cars?”
All thoughts of school forgotten in an instant, the boys jumped around her as she laughed. “Of course! We’re still going through our list of movies you haven’t seen yet. If we want to get up to date, we better not skip it! Now go, so I can get the food ready.”
They sprinted to the entrance, grabbing their coats and boots before running to the back door, Chewy barking along the way. Before they got out, Catriona made sure they were appropriately covered, as the weather at the end of February was still frigid.
The ruckus of the two boys made her smile, and she was grateful to Archer for finding her this house in a quaint neighborhood. The boys loved it; it was the perfect nest to start their new life. Catriona knew it was only temporary until she got her bearings and the boys could adjust.
For that new life to begin, she’d had to close her old one. She hadn’t been able to go visit the sisters to announce her intention, but she’d promised to visit with her sons as soon as they could. Mother Superior welcomed the news as if she’d known all along that it would happen.
It seems that she was the only one surprised by what God had in store for her. Although she’d hoped it included Liam. Knowing she couldn’t force love, Catriona prayed time would lessen the pain she felt each time her mind wandered to him. It was one of the wounds she’d need to tend, now that her burns were almost completely healed and didn’t require bandages anymore.
She opened the fridge to analyze its contents and tried to decide what she could make—her skills in the kitchen were in dire need of improvement—when someone knocked at the door. One quick look at the backyard reassured her that the boys were busy building some sort of fort with the fresh snow covering the ground, before she went to the door.
She didn’t know if it was the chilly air or the sight of Liam that froze her to the bone.
It had been nearly two months since she’d last seen him, and the fire flared inside her with the same force.
“Catriona.” His low voice almost weakened her knees.
“Liam, what a surprise.” She knew she should invite him in, but it was impossible to think straight.
He was the one to move first, taking a few steps until he could enter and shut the door behind him. “You’re going to catch a cold.” The frown that marred his face increased when his eyes went to her hands. “Your skin is still marked.”
Catriona nodded. “The doctor told me it would take a few more weeks to disappear fully.”
He didn’t seem convinced, and she didn’t have time to reassure him that she was all right when he brought both her hand to his mouth and kissed the rough, healing skin.
“Liam, what are you doing here?”
His silver eyes shone brightly when they lifted to her. Awaiting his explanation, he didn’t use words as a reply but kissed her instead.
The kiss was soft, tentative. There was none of the possessiveness or heat she knew from before. It was different although with his familiar taste. When she opened her mouth, seeking more, he held back, but kept a hand gently cupping her face. “We need to talk.”
Doubt seized her by the throat again. “Again, why are you here?”
“I couldn’t stay away, angel. We need to talk.”
She should have reacted, asked for answers right away or opened the door and kicked him out, but didn’t. He removed his boots and placed them neatly on the mat and shrugged off his coat before hanging it on a nearby hook.
He stepped inside the home Archer had provided them and looked around.
