Chapter 25 #2
Jenna smiled at that. Cailin truly loved her friend and she was so happy for Ashley.
Happy that she found a man who could appreciate her for all of her wonderful qualities.
Jenna turned her gaze to Cormac, who as always only had eyes for her.
His brilliant smile and smoldering blue eyes turned the heat up.
She could feel it all the way from her head to her toes and all those places in between.
Jenna looked away so she could catch her breath.
Maybe she could be as lucky as her friend, Ashley.
Maybe she had found the man for her. Maybe Cormac could love her the way she had always dreamed of being loved.
Or, maybe she was living in fantasyland.
A sigh escaped her lips as she sadly thought, it doesn’t really matter.
I’m not staying here and he’s not going to come back with me.
It’s all just a dream I’ll wake from before too long.
“Is something wrong, Jenna?” Cormac wanted to know.
“No. Everything’s fine. Just fine,” Jenna lied.
“I dinna believe ye,” Cormac smiled.
Jenna wondered if he was a mind reader. He always seemed to know what she was thinking.
“Suit yourself then,” she answered as she took a bite of her dinner.
Maybe if she kept her mouth full of food, she wouldn’t have to tell Cormac what she had been thinking.
For his part, Cormac kept an eye on her, but Jenna could tell he was content to let it slide for the time being.
Good thing, too. She’d hate to tell him what she’d been thinking.
***
Cormac knew Jenna was avoiding his question, but he’d get it out of her later.
He was sure Jonathan and Sophia had upset her, but he wasn’t exactly sure why.
Was it because she was wary of their plans, or was it because she might have to take them back to San Francisco when she went …
if she went. Cormac still had time to convince her to stay, but then what would happen?
Would Jonathan and Sophia be able to get back to San Francisco, or would they be cursed with Jonathan’s presence forever?
He’d speak with Robert about it. There had to be a way to get him out of their lives and far enough away that he couldn’t bother Jenna ever again.
Cormac watched Jonathan as he ingratiated himself on his tablemates.
They were all smiling and laughing at whatever story he was telling them.
He could see how Jonathan could have fooled Jenna into believing that he loved her.
If he didn’t know him better, Cormac might have even believed that Jonathan was a decent human being, but he had met the more sinister Jonathan in San Francisco and he knew he would need to protect Jenna from him at all costs.
He didn’t like having him here, this near to Jenna, but it was better to keep him close. He’d just have to remain vigilant.
Everyone sat at the table much longer than was usual for them.
They had a lot to talk about and Robert was intent on toasting Cailin and Ashley’s good fortune.
Cormac was happy for them. His brother found the woman of his dreams and they were about to start their family together.
He wished them all the best. He just wished he could be that lucky.
He thought he was, but Jenna had other ideas.
She was not an easy one. He would have to work hard to prove his love to her, but she was worth it.
He wanted her in his life, even though she could be as prickly as a thistle, he knew she was the one for him.
And if she left, he would spend his days lamenting the loss and regretting his inability to keep her here as his wife.
“Cormac, now I’m the one asking … is everything okay?” Jenna asked.
“Aye, love. I was just thinking,” Cormac responded. His eyes fell lovingly on her beautiful face. Her soulful brown eyes drew him into their depths and he wished he could linger there forever.
“About what?”
“About ye … about how beautiful ye are. About how happy I’d be if ye were to stay here with me.”
Jenna seemed saddened by his admission, but didn’t answer. Instead she reached for his much larger hand and squeezed it with her own.
“I’d like to share something with ye, Jenna. Would ye come with me?” Cormac asked.
“Of course,” Jenna answered.
He stood and pulled Jenna’s chair out for her. “We’re going for a walk,” Cormac announced to the table.
“Have fun,” Ashley smiled and winked at Cormac.
“We will, dinna fash,” Cormac answered, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Come, let’s go, Jenna.” They left the noise of the hall for the contrasting silence outdoors. “Are ye warm enough?” Cormac wanted to know.
“I’m fine. The fresh air feels good and besides, I happen to know that, if need be, you’ll keep me warm.
” Jenna poked Cormac in the side and when he tried to return the favor by tickling her, she squealed with delight and tried to run.
Cormac wrapped his arms around her waist before she could get away and lifted her off the ground.
“Dinna think ye can escape,” he chuckled. “We’re going this way.” He led her to the steps to the battlements.
“Oh, I’ve been here before. Ashley took me.”
“Did she? Whatever for?”
“I’m not sure I’m supposed to say. It might be a secret,” Jenna said.
“Dinna make me tickle it out of ye, lass,” Cormac teased.
“Okay, okay … she showed me a place where the women go to watch you guys at work on the practice field.”
“I see. And what did ye think?”
“I was pretty impressed.”
“And what precisely were ye impressed with?” Cormac thought he knew the answer to his question, but he wanted to hear Jenna’s response.
“Well, there was this one guy …” she started.
“Aye. And what is his name? I’ll be sure to work him extra hard tomorrow.”
Jenna giggled at that. “I think his name is … Cormac MacBayne. Do you know him?”
“Aye. I do. I hear he fancies a lass named Jenna. Have ye heard it too?”
“I think I might have heard that rumor going around,” Jenna teased him back.
They came to a spot on the wall where Jenna was amazed by the darkness of the sky and by the bright dots of lights that were scattered across it. “This is beautiful, Cormac. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“’Tis my pleasure. Ye shared yer favorite places in San Francisco with me and I wanted to do the same for ye.”
“I’m so happy that you did,” Jenna replied as she snuggled closer to Cormac. “I’m feeling a little cold. Could you warm me up, please?”
“Ye dinna have to ask me twice.” Cormac pulled her close and wrapped her in his strong embrace. “Is that better, love?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.”