Intractable Souls : Book 1 of the Bound for Ireland Series (22 page)

A reminder pops up on Ethan’s laptop and he
looks down at his watch. “Conference call. Close the door.”

John gets up and does as he’s asked and then
sits down on the chair on the opposite side of Ethan’s desk. “I
read the preliminary report from the investigator on the plane.
What did you think?”

Ethan shrugs as he logs in to the video
meeting with the Lawyers. “I haven’t had a chance to read it.”

“Well it might have been a good idea to do
that before today’s meeting.” He criticizes.

Ethan can’t stop thinking about Olivia since
John has mentioned her name. Turning his attention to his phone, he
doesn’t hear another word of what John is saying.

From Ethan: I’m taking you out for coffee
tonight after soccer

From Olivia: Well that’s kind of bossy.

From Ethan: and your point is?

From Olivia: I’m not going on a date with
you

From Ethan: Ok then, it’s not a date… it’s a
beverage. You do get thirsty don’t you?

From Olivia: No.

From Ethan: Did you have other plans?

From Olivia: Does it matter?

From Ethan: No.

From Olivia: Some things never change.

From Ethan: Be there at 7

From Olivia: I’ll think about it.

“ETHAN!” Ethan looks up when John yells at
him, demanding his full attention. “You need to prepare yourself.
They’re going to ask you some tough questions today. One’s you’re
not going to like. For God’s sake control your temper.”

The sound of Shannon Quinn’s voice comes
over the speakers. “Hello. Mr. O’Connell? Are you there?”

Hitting the video conference button, he
activates the video cam. “Yes, Mr. McCabe and I are here.”

“Good. I met with investigators yesterday to
see what they have found out so far. I need to ask you some
questions as a result of their findings. Ethan, this is a difficult
question but I have to ask… and I need you to answer me
honestly.”

“Ok.” Ethan looks nervously over at
John.

“Do you consider yourself to have a
temper?”

Ethan sighs and squirms in his chair. “Yes,
I suppose. No more than any other man.”

“Fair enough. Is it true you’re a
boxer?”

“Yes. I mean no… not really. I box at the
gym only as a way to keep fit. I don’t participate in matches or
anything.”

“Have you ever hit Jessica Keane in anger?”
Her questions start coming at a rapid pace.

“NO!”

“Did you ever get a little too rough and
hurt her unintentionally?”

Ethan starts to perspire under this line of
questioning and John starts to worry. Ethan leans forward and
positions himself squarely in front of the video camera. “NO!”

“What about during sex?”

WHOA! Ethan almost falls out of his chair in
shock. “Is she saying that?” Getting to his feet, he paces behind
his chair, raking his fingers through his hair and uttering barely
audible curses. The awkward silence is broken by the sound of
shuffling papers as Shannon Quinn lifts her head and looks straight
into the video cam.

He looks back at the video screen and tries
not to lose it when Shannon holds up pictures of his alleged crime.
When she lowers the pictures from view, he sits back in his chair
and looks into the faces of his long distance audience.

“I didn’t do that.” His jaw clenches despite
his efforts to stay calm.

“I’m going to email you a copy of the actual
police report. We received a copy of it this morning.” Looking down
at her phone, she touches the screen several times before looking
back up. “You should have it shortly.”

Ethan’s phone beeps as the email arrives in
his inbox. Sitting, he opens it and begins to read, his mouth open
in disgust.

“I can’t believe this garbage.” He puts his
phone down with a loud bang.

John glares at him reminding him that he
needs to control his outbursts.

Shannon continues her questioning.
“According to the investigator, Reese Wilson is the man that Miss
Keane had the affair with. Do you know who he is?”

Picking up his pen he taps it nervously on
his desk. “You could say that.”

“How?”

Ethan inhales deeply and looks to John for
strength. “We grew up together. Until that night, he was my best
friend.” Ethan’s hurt shows on his face. John wishes there was
something he could do to end this nightmare for his friend.

“Did you know it was him that she was having
the affair with?”

“Yes.” The heartbreak over his friend’s
betrayal can be heard in his voice.

Shannon’s voice takes on a soft tone. “I’m
so sorry, that must have made it harder.”

Ethan ignores her sympathy. “Is there
anything else?”

“At the moment both Miss Keane and Mr.
Wilson are refusing to meet with our investigator.”

Ethan throws his hands up in the air in
frustration. “Of course they are.”

“We’re looking into her credit card and
debit receipts and anything else that might give us an idea of
where she was that night.”

Ethan sits back in his chair and looks at
his watch. “Keep me posted. I’m due at another appointment shortly
so if there is nothing else for today I need to go.”

John Scowls at him from the other side of
the desk.

Shannon forces a smile and nods. “Very well.
I think we’re done for today.”

“Thank you, Miss Quinn.” Ethan disconnects
the call and looks over to catch John’s stare. “How do you think
that went?”

John shakes his head and narrows his eyes at
him. “Just fine I suppose. What other appointment do you have?
There’s nothing on your schedule.”

Ethan hands some papers over to John. “I
have some things to do before I see Olivia tonight. And YOU… are
going to start working on the official grand opening of the bar. I
want you to go over there this afternoon and take a look around.
That…” He points at the paperwork “is the list of tentative
arrangements that I’ve made. I’d like your opinion before we
confirm anything.”

John takes a quick look at the list.

“I want you to stay in Dufferin County so
you’re closer to the bar. There’s a hotel nearby. Grab your
suitcase. I need you to drop me off somewhere first.”

“And so it begins.” John grins as he picks
up his briefcase and stuffs Ethan’s notes into it.

Scott looks like he is going to be
physically ill when Olivia waves at them as she approaches the
soccer field. “What’s she doing here?”

Rachel shrugs. “I have no idea. She never
mentioned she was coming. What’s wrong?”

Scott puts his hand to his forehead and then
rakes it through his hair. “We’re playing Noah’s team tonight.”

“So?” She doesn’t understand the reason for
his anxiety.

“We’re playing Noah’s team tonight.” He
repeats in frustration. “Do you not remember what happened between
Noah and Ethan the last time?”

Rachel panics. “Oh Crap! I’ll see if I can
convince her to leave.”

Scott thinks about it and shakes his head.
“No, don’t. Maybe she should see just what kind of anger he’s
capable of.”

As she approaches them, Scott pretends that
they weren’t talking about her and gives her a hug. “Hey! What a
nice surprise. I didn’t know you were coming.”

“What else would I do on a Wednesday night?”
She smiles. “Actually, Ethan invited me… or should I say he ORDERED
me. He wants to take me out for coffee afterwards.” Olivia observes
Scott and Rachel exchanging a nervous glance. “What? It’s NOT a
date. It’s a beverage.”

“Nothing.” Rachel says innocently. ”So you
and Ireland are friends now?”

Olivia contemplates for a few seconds. “The
jury is still out on that one.”

Scott turns away angrily and heads out onto
the field to warm up but Olivia can still feel Rachel’s tension.
“Rachel? Is everything ok? With you and Scott I mean.” She doesn’t
offer an explanation right away indicating that this is definitely
an uncomfortable subject for her. “I’m sorry. I’ve just noticed
that you’re both a little out of sorts lately. Fighting all the
time. You’re jumping at chances to be out of town. I was just
wondering if you guys were having some problems?”

Rachel frowns at her friend. “Scott really
wants to start a family. I’m just not sure I’m cut out for
parenthood. It’s not like I had any role models in that area.” She
shrugs, looking a little embarrassed. “It’s causing a little
tension.”

Putting her arms around her, Olivia gives
her a supportive hug. She’s one of the few people that knows about
Rachel’s past - how her mother left when she was only two years old
leaving her father devastated and unable to cope with the pressures
of being a single parent. Soon after, he had a severe emotional
breakdown, and since he was unable to care for her, Rachel was
removed from the home. For years, she was moved from foster home to
foster home, all good people and adequately clean and safe places
to grow up, but she never really found family.

Not having connected with any of the adult
women in her life she grew up feeling significantly inadequate at
the things that come naturally to most women. Not to mention
socially awkward at the best of times.

“You would be an awesome mother.” Olivia
reassures with a tight squeeze.

“But what if I’m not? What If I break it?
The idea absolutely terrifies me.”

“IT?” Olivia laughs. “People don’t generally
break babies, Rach. And you won’t be in it alone. Scott will be an
awesome dad and you have me to help.”

Rachel is still unconvinced and it shows on
her face.

“Ok, I’m not going to hound you about it.
I’ll support whatever your decision is. But Rachel… Scott really
wants a family. If you’ve decided that you don’t want the same then
you’re going to have to make some really tough decisions.”

“I know.” It’s not the first time she’s
thought about that. Scott loves her so completely despite her
social shortcomings. She didn’t think she knew how to love until he
found her and taught her how. It would be unfair of her to stick
around when having children is something that he wants so badly.
She frowns again. Leaving her husband or having children… has it
really come down to this decision?

Olivia has forgotten how nervous and excited
she is about seeing Ethan tonight. The sound of a roaring car
engine catches their attention and they turn to see who it is. She
can’t see the car yet but the sound is getting louder as it
approaches the field. “Who is that?” Olivia stretches her neck, her
curiosity piquing.

Rachel stands on her tip toes, trying to get
a better look through the already parked cars. She shrugs her
shoulders. “I have no idea. I’ve never seen that car around here
before. By the time Olivia turns, the car has screeched to a halt
in a spot hidden behind a blue van and out of view. The driver
steps out and Olivia’s heart sinks when it’s someone she doesn’t
recognize. His dark grey v-neck fits snugly against well-defined
pectoral muscles. So well defined, they can be seen them from a
couple hundred feet away. Rachel raises her eyebrows in
appreciation “Whoever he is… he’s HOT!“

Olivia doesn’t care. She can’t help but be
disappointed and turns her attention back out at the field.
Shamelessly staring at the stranger, Rachel admires his body as he
walks towards the field. There is an odd familiarity about him and
it suddenly hits her. “Umm.” She nudges Olivia. “You’re not going
to believe this.”

”What?” She turns to notice Rachel’s
astonished look.

“That… is Ethan.” She nods in his
direction.

“WHAT?” Shocked, her head whips back towards
the parking lot. He definitely walks with the same confidence that
Ethan possesses. Tipping his aviator style sunglasses to the top of
his head, he gives her a panty melting smile, as he approaches.
Olivia’s heart almost stops all together. It is Ethan… curls all
gone, hair shaved short and spiked at the front. His beard has been
trimmed to a thinner, well-manicured line outlining his jaw and
revealing much more of his perfect complexion. She’s glad it’s not
gone completely because she likes his facial hair. She has
fantasized about how it would feel brushed along the tender skin on
the inside of her thigh. His smile reveals a slight hint of a
dimple on his chin previously hidden by the thicker scruff. Even
Rachel is in awe. When he reaches them, Olivia’s blood is burning
so hot with desire that she is staring and speechless.

“Well, Miss James? Do I look enough like a
boy for you now?” His Irish accent is thick and dripping with pure
sexy maleness.

She stumbles with words. “I…You…WOW!” She
notices the entertainment on his face caused by her disjointed
thoughts. Her head darts back and forth, taking in every inch of
him from ear to ear. “You’re cleverly disguised as a responsible
adult.” She finally says.

“That I am.” He grins.

“Well, you’re secret is safe with me.” Her
teasing is met with a sharp elbow in the side from Rachel. “Ouch!”
She gives her a disgruntled look. “He knows I’m only joking, geez.”
She blushes when she looks up at him. “You look very handsome.”
That’s an understatement. He looks HOT! Jaw dropping, pulse
thrumming, panty wetting hotness!

“I’m glad you approve.” He holds up the key
fob and nods toward the car. “Will you watch my NEW ride for me?”
Olivia tries to keep her heart from beating out of her chest when
the van backs out to leave, revealing the bright orange car with
dual black stripes.

“You got the Challenger!” She’s thrilled as
she takes the key fob out of his hands. He leans in and gives her a
quick kiss on her cheek, once again making her the centre of
attention. She hates him for that, now she has to avoid making eye
contact with everyone so she doesn’t see their glares of
hatred.

Rachel’s eyes open wide in surprise and when
she gets the chance, she leans in close and whispers. ”Ummm, what
exactly has happened between you two in the last week?”