Chapter 7 #3
“Sorry. You’re sorry. That’s great. I’m glad you’re sorry for completely humiliating me in front of your mother, not to mention how you made her feel by blindsiding her right off the boat.
You made a total mess of this, and you’re sorry?
” She tossed up her hands and turned to keep walking because she was afraid she might punch him again if she didn’t get away from him.
Carolina Cantrell, who’d never struck another human being in her life, driven to violence by the man she loved. Wasn’t this a fine mess?
“Caro, honey, wait. Please let me explain.”
“I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
“I know, and I totally deserve that. But can I please tell you why I did it?”
Carolina would’ve chosen to keep walking if it wasn’t for the fact that his mother and cousin would be their guests for the next two weeks. Somehow, she had to make peace with Seamus or run the risk of alienating his family. “Fine. Tell me why you felt the need to lie to me and your mother.”
“I didn’t lie. Exactly.”
Incredulous, she said, “What would you call it?”
“I…I told her you were older than me.”
“Did you tell her how much older?”
“No.”
“Then you lied.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Make me understand, then.”
“My mum, she’s a lovely lady, but at times, she can be a bit…
How to say this? Well, she can be judgmental.
And I thought if she met you and saw how much I love you and how much you love me—or how much you loved me before you figured out I hadn’t told her about the age difference…
I thought maybe if she saw us together, she’d see what I see when I look at you.
” His hands curled around her hips. “I didn’t want her to come here with preconceived notions. ”
“You should’ve told me so I’d be prepared for her reaction.”
“You’re absolutely right. I should have told you, and I’m so sorry I didn’t.
You insisted we invite her here right when everything between us had settled into a good place.
Your son knows, and the sky didn’t fall in.
We were just getting somewhere. Finally.
I didn’t want her to come here and undo all that by making you feel bad about yourself or your age or anything. ”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“I was scared, love.”
“Of what?”
“I was afraid if she knew about the age thing, she’d make it into a big deal in her mind before she even got here, and the whole thing would be a disaster. I wanted her to give you a chance.”
“I was embarrassed at the ferry landing.”
“I know, and I can’t tell you how sorry I am to have done that to you. That’s the last thing in the world I wanted.”
“You had to know it would happen when she saw me.”
“I’d hoped it wouldn’t.”
“Seamus…” She let her head fall forward onto his chest, because even when she was furious with him, she still loved him.
“I screwed up, love, and I hate that you got hurt.”
“I’m not hurt so much as angry. I hated being blindsided.”
“I’m so sorry. It’ll never happen again. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
In the faint glow of the moon, she could see the small smile that occupied his lips. “Forgive me, love?”
“Under one condition.”
“Anything. Whatever you want.”
“Shouldn’t you hear it before you agree to it?”
“If it means you’ll forgive me, I’ll do whatever you want me to.”
“I want you to tell your mother that I had nothing to do with the plan to deceive her.”
“Ugh, do I have to?”
“Do you want to be forgiven?”
“More than life itself.”
“Then that’s what you have to do.”
He moved his hands around to her back and stepped even closer to her.
“I’ve already paid my fine. I told her it was all my dumb idea, and you had nothing to do with it.
If it’s any consolation to you, she’s not happy with me either—and not because you’re older than me.
Because I didn’t tell her before she came.
So both the women I love best are mad at me. ”
“Which you richly deserve.”
“Which I richly deserve. So am I forgiven?”
“You really told her I didn’t know?”
“I really told her, and for what it’s worth, she thinks you’re lovely and can easily see why I love you so much.”
“You made up that last part.”
“I did not! She really said that.”
“Your credibility has taken a bit of a hit tonight.”
“Do you still believe I love you?” he asked.
She shrugged, knowing her indifference would drive him mad. “I’m not sure. I might need some convincing.”
“Oh, love, do you know what happens when you toss a red flag in front of a bull?”
“I’m sure you’ll be happy to tell me all about what happens, but you have to catch me first.” Carolina pulled free of him and took off down the dirt lane she’d traversed her entire life.
He let out a bark of laughter and took off after her.
Knowing he was gaining on her, she ran faster, ducking into the brush to dodge him.
She had the upper hand until her foot caught on a root and sent her flying into the darkness.
“Crap,” she muttered, protecting her face with her arms as she landed hard in a bush full of thorns that tore at her skin as she came down.
“Caro? Where are you, love?”
She whimpered. Everything hurt, and she was hopelessly tangled and afraid to move for fear of further injuring herself.
“Oh my goodness,” Seamus said, using the flashlight app on his phone to illuminate her predicament. He pulled a knife from the leather case he wore on his belt and began hacking away at the branches.
“Watch your hands!”
“I don’t care about my hands. I’ve got to get you out of there.”
“Seamus…”
“What, love?” he asked, intent on his task.
“Hurts.”