Merchants with Evil Intent (60 page)

      
She cringed at the sight of Viktor in the
park,
then
smiled when she saw herself and Declan
dancing to ‘
Tupelo Honey
’.

      
For an hour she and her mom watched, in
rapt attention, their story unfold.

      
At the end Camryn watched, detached, as
the monster did unspeakable things to her.

      
Then she cried, seeing both Declan and
Greg’s grief. She held up a hand to stop the show.

      
“Greg?”

      
Maggie nodded, “Yes, he loves you, too.
He has for a long time.”

      
Camryn swallowed the lump in her throat.
“How am I supposed to handle that? I mean, he’s like a brother to me.”

      
“He knows, Cam. But, he can’t help the
way he feels. If it makes you feel any better he ends up with Tamara and he’s
going to be your best friend forever.”

      
Camryn nodded, tears pooled in her eyes
as she watched the two men who are in love with her share drinks at Murphy’s.
“Does Declan know?”

      
“Aye.
He loves you
so much that he’s going to let you make your choice.”

      
Camryn’s eyebrows knitted together. “Say
again?”

      
“He knows Greg is a good man and will
protect you with his life. That’s not to say that it wouldn’t hurt him if you
chose Greg over him.”

      
Camryn nodded. “I’m ready to go back.”

      
“I know sweetie,” Maggie sighed.

      
“Will I see you again?”

      
“Only in your dreams, baby, but I’ll be
by your side, always.”

*
     
*
     
*

      
Camryn slowly opened her eyes. Green
light bounced off the white walls from the machines she was hooked up to. A
soft fluorescent light glowed over a stainless steel sink.

      
Declan’s head rested on the bed against
her hand. She gently removed her hand from his and ran her fingers through his
hair.

      
He stirred and lifted his head. She
smiled at him, causing tears to form in his eyes.

      
In the space of a few moments they only
looked at each other. A single tear fell from his cheek.

      
“Are ya gonna kiss me or what?” she
croaked.

      
He leaned closer to her. “Aye, I’m gonna
kiss ya.”

Chapter
21

County Wexford,
Ireland

One year later

      
“Ya have a nice video chat with your
family?” Declan asked as he added more peat to the fire.

      
“Yeah, Christmas Eve was always a big
thing at the O’Mara house,” Camryn sighed, falling into Declan’s arms.

      
“Did your parent’s see you on the telly?”
he asked, kissing her cheek.

      
She giggled.
“Um-huh.
They’re excited about the book being on the best seller list. In fact, they
bought it to give as presents this year.”

      
“Well, it is quite a story. Catchy title,
too.
‘
The Wild Knight
Eoghan
’.
I’ll bet his head is still swollen!” Declan laughed.

      
She turned in his arms, meeting his gaze.
“Wanna know something else that’s swollen?”

      
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, with
smoldering eyes. She playfully hit his arm.
“No, ya
perv
!
This!” she said, guiding his hand to her
belly.

      
He looked at her quizzically. “Sorry?”

      
“Sorry?” she frowned.

      
“Gel, I doona understand what you’re
sayin’! Are ya hungry then?”

      
She laughed, “I’m pregnant!”

      
“In truth?” he gasped.

      
“Oh no!
You
did not
just talk like a knight! You
know what that does to me!” she giggled.

      
He growled, “Aye, gel, I do. Now,
come
hither wench!”

      
She jumped from the couch and ran up the
stairs with Declan, her knight, sans shining armor, chasing after her.