The Firebrand Who Unlocked His Heart (10 page)

‘Oh, Ciaran will be happy with a B & B,’ Colleen said, quickly. ‘Isn’t there one nearby?’

Of course—Colleen and her fiancé would want to have somewhere they could meet in private. Daniel ignored the knot in his stomach

‘If that’s what you’d prefer, of course,’ he said, ‘I’ll ask Burton to arrange it.’ He signalled to Burton, who nodded and picked up the telephone.

‘There is a decent establishment a couple of streets away, sir. I’ll give them a call now.’

‘And of course you should have the day off. Harry and I will manage on our own,’ Daniel said.

But as he glanced at his son he saw a stricken look cross his face. Obviously, despite the improvement in their relationship, Harry wasn’t ready to be alone with him. The buoyant feeling he’d had when he’d woken up was fast disappearing.

Colleen must have seen Harry’s reaction too, as she quickly crouched beside Harry and took his hand. ‘What? And miss Harry’s first trip out? No way. Ciaran won’t mind waiting until we get back, will you?’

‘Or I could come with you,’ the idiot said, cheerfully. ‘It’s not as if I’ve got anything else to do—’

‘I’m not sure Harry should be introduced to new people at this stage,’ Daniel interrupted. ‘It’s perfectly all
right if you just want it to be the three of us, Harry. I’m sure Ciaran will be happy staying behind. He’s probably tired.’

‘Oh, I think if Harry’s fine with Ciaran coming, then that’s okay. Harry would tell me if he didn’t want him along. Wouldn’t you, sweetie?’

Harry smiled and nodded.

‘The Duchess Hotel has a room available, sir,’ Burton said. He turned to Ciaran. ‘It’s just a short walk from here, sir, but I could ask Mike to take you.’

‘Why don’t I walk with you as far as my hotel?’ Ciaran said. ‘Col, we could meet there when you’ve had your walk.’

Could that be relief on Colleen’s face? No, that was wishful thinking on his part. No doubt she preferred to see Ciaran alone away from prying eyes.

With the decision made that Ciaran would accompany them as far as his hotel, the four of them set off. Colleen insisted on pushing Harry. As the pavement was too narrow for the three of them to walk side by side, Daniel found himself alongside Ciaran.

‘Did you fly?’ he asked.

‘Just jumped on a plane at Dublin this morning. Luckily there was space. If there hadn’t have been, I would have taken the ferry.’

‘You should have said. I would have sent my plane for you.’

‘I wanted to surprise Col. She’s looking grand, isn’t she?’

Daniel followed Ciaran’s gaze. Colleen’s ponytail was swinging as she walked and her bottom undulated deliciously with every step she took. Daniel bit back the groan that rose to his lips.

What exactly did Ciaran expect him to say?
Yes, she’s
looking good. She looked even better in her bikini. In fact, I think she’s quite beautiful. She has a smile that lights up a room.

‘Yes. She has a great deal of energy.’ Good God, couldn’t he have thought of something else to say?

Ciaran laughed. ‘You can say that again. Col’s never happy unless she’s bustling around and has plenty to do. The only time I see her sitting still is when she has her nose in a book. She’s been like that as long as I can remember.’

‘How long have you known her?’ Daniel asked, his curiosity piqued.

‘Since she was about ten. I was—am—pals with her older brothers. She was always a bit of a tomboy.’ Ciaran frowned. ‘Is she okay? I mean, she sounded a bit strange the last time I spoke to her on the phone.’

‘She seems all right to me,’ Daniel replied.

* * *

Daniel was pleased when Ciaran peeled off at his hotel. Thankfully there was no repeat of the earlier hug. Colleen simply gave Ciaran a wave and, as Daniel took over chair-pushing duty, she fell into step beside them.

It felt odd to be out like this, almost as if the three of them were a family. Which was ridiculous. Harry was all the family he wanted or needed.

The park was mobbed with people, riding bikes, picnicking and generally relaxing in the first real sunshine of the month. Daniel caught a badly aimed frisbee as it came his way and returned it, and was pleased to see it went in the general direction he’d planned.

‘Is there anything you’d like to do in particular, Harry?’ he asked. But to his dismay his son’s expression had darkened and he turned his face away from him.

Quickly Colleen crouched by the side of Harry’s chair. ‘I know it’s tough, Harry, seeing all these people doing stuff you used to do. But you’ve got to believe me when I tell you that I really believe that in time you’ll be able to do more—a lot more. There’s no reason why you might not be able to throw a frisbee yourself. Do anything you put your mind to, in fact.’

Perhaps this hadn’t been such a good idea after all. All it was doing was reminding Harry of what he could no longer do. Harry pointed over Colleen’s shoulder. Daniel had been so intent on keeping an eye on the frisbee throwers that he hadn’t noticed another group playing cricket. Suddenly he saw something fly towards the air directly towards Harry. Before he was even aware of what he was doing he had thrown himself forwards just in time to catch the missile in his right hand. However, his impetus threw him on to the ground where he landed in an untidy heap.

Feeling an idiot, he was about to jump back up when suddenly Colleen was there, leaning over him, anxiety flooding her grey eyes.

‘Are you okay? Speak to me, Daniel.’

He no longer felt the need to move. It was kind of nice to have Colleen bending over him. She bent lower to peer in his eyes and as she did so her ponytail fell forwards, enveloping him in the smell of strawberries and vanilla. He groaned.

‘What have you hurt? Can you sit up?’

He considered laying it on a bit thicker, but decided against it. They had Harry to think about. He grinned at her and jumped to his feet. He looked down at his hand. He was still holding the missile, which turned out to be a cricket ball. If that had hit Harry, God only knew what
damage it would have done. He turned towards his son. Harry was smiling.

‘Good catch, Dad,’ he said.

* * *

Colleen looked at Ciaran across the table and took a deep breath. ‘I have something to tell you, Ciaran,’ she said. She hadn’t expected Ciaran to jump on a plane and come and see her. But now he was here, she had to tell him.

For once Ciaran looked serious. ‘I think I know what it is.’

‘You do?’

‘Come on, Col, we’ve known each other for ever. You’ve never been any good at keeping things hidden from me. You’ve decided not to marry me. Am I right?’

‘I am so sorry, Ciaran.’ She reached a hand across the table and Ciaran took it. ‘How did you guess?’

Ciaran smiled sadly. ‘It’s been this way for a while, hasn’t it? I’ve known for months you were having your doubts, but I thought if I said nothing, things would just get better. Anyway, it’s not just you whose been having doubts. I love you, Col, you know I do, but I’ve met someone recently and she looks at me the way someone who’s in love with you is supposed to look at you. The way you and Daniel look at each other—as if you have stars in your eyes.’

What on earth did he mean? If only Ciaran knew how often she and Daniel argued.

‘That’s nonsense, Ciaran. I sometimes think Daniel would like nothing more than to give me a good shake and as for the way I feel about him…’

‘You’re in love with him. Anyone with a pair of eyes in his head can see that.’

‘In love with Daniel?’ Had Ciaran completely lost the plot? ‘No way.’

‘And he’s in love with you. I knew it the moment I saw the way he looks at you.’

‘You’re got it completely wrong, Ciaran. Daniel and I can barely be in the room together for two minutes before sparks start to fly.’

Ciaran leaned back in his chair. ‘Exactly,’ he said.

Colleen’s head was spinning. Was Ciaran right? Could this crazy feeling in the pit of her stomach, this urge to be around Daniel, this feeling as if every nerve ending was tingling whenever he was around, be love? If so, it didn’t make her feel good. It made her feel awful.

No, of course she wasn’t in love with Daniel. It was just that she’d never met anyone like him—someone who made her feel more alive than she ever had before. But that wasn’t love. That was lust. And as for him being in love with her? Hah! Nothing was less likely.

‘You’ve got it all wrong, Ciaran. But I’m glad you’re okay about us not getting married.’ She smiled back at him. The relief of breaking off her engagement and knowing Ciaran wasn’t upset, made her feel lighter than she had in days.

She twisted the ring from her finger and handed it to him.

‘I hope we can still be friends.’

‘Hey, we’re breaking off our engagement, not falling out. Of course we’ll always be friends, Col. And I will always love you—and your crazy family. You know that, don’t you?’

She returned his grin. ‘So tell me about this woman who looks at you with stars in her eyes, Ciaran. I want to know everything.’

D
ANIEL
let Burton take his jacket. It had been another tough day in court, but he was confident they would get the verdict they were seeking. In a day or two the trial would be over and he could take time off to be with Harry. He had cleared his diary, refusing to take any more cases for at least four weeks. Harry would have his undivided attention during that time.

‘The doctor is here to see you, sir,’ Burton said.

Daniel’s heart thudded. Had Harry relapsed? Handing his briefcase to Burton, he hurried into his son’s room. The doctor was leaning over Harry, listening to his chest.

‘Hello, Dad,’ Harry said.

Daniel’s chest felt tight. ‘Hello, son.’

The doctor straightened. ‘Your son is doing well,’ he said. ‘His speech is pretty much back to normal and, despite a continuing weakness in his right side, it looks like he’s making excellent progress.’

‘What do you think of our star boy, then?’ Colleen said, her grey eyes sparkling.

‘I think he’s amazing,’ Daniel said. He perched on the side of Harry’s bed and ruffled his hair.

‘Not a baby, Dad,’ Harry said.

The doctor packed his stethoscope away in his bag. ‘You should have a rest, Harry. You’ve had a busy day. Although you’re improving, don’t try and do too much too soon.’

‘We’ve been in the pool again this morning,’ Colleen added. ‘Nathan and Burton helped.’

Guilt coiled in Daniel’s chest. He should be the one helping his child. But over the coming weeks he’d be able to do just that.

‘I have a couple of days more in court, son,’ Daniel said. ‘But after that, I’m on holiday. We can go into the pool every day and maybe you and I could go to a cricket match?’

Harry looked at Colleen, anxiety darkening his green eyes. Daniel felt the look like a blow to his solar plexus.

‘Don’t worry, Harry. I’m not going anywhere,’ Colleen said quickly. ‘Not until you’re ready.’

‘I think I want to sleep now,’ Harry said.

Daniel stepped outside with the doctor, leaving Colleen to settle Harry.

‘Will he make a full recovery?’

‘It’s too early to say how much he’ll continue to improve, but, yes, if you all carry on doing what you’re doing, I see no reason why your son won’t be able to return to school after the summer. He may still require a wheelchair, but that in itself shouldn’t prevent him. I am warning you, however, that he may experience some lack of concentration and some mood swings for some time yet, so be prepared.’

Mood swings and a loss of concentration were nothing compared to the prospect of having his son permanently disabled. His decision to seek out Colleen had been the right one. Perhaps his son would have improved
anyway, but he couldn’t help but believe his rapid progress was at least partly down to Colleen.

* * *

Daniel had waited outside until Colleen emerged, closing the door gently behind her.

She looked up at him and smiled. He loved her smile. It made it seem as if there were a thousand candles burning behind her eyes.

‘He’ll sleep for a couple of hours. I told him to press his buzzer when he wakes up.’

‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ Daniel said.

‘All in a day’s work,’ Colleen said breezily.

‘Don’t be modest, Colleen,’ Daniel said. ‘It doesn’t suit you. I know what Harry and I owe you; if there’s anything I can do to thank you, you only have to say the word.’

‘I’m being thanked well enough,’ she said. ‘You already pay me three times the going rate.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

Colleen looked at him with her steady grey eyes. A man could happily drown in those eyes. How come he’d never noticed before?

‘It’s enough,’ she said. ‘It’s great, though, that you’ve taken time off. We can get Harry into the pool every day. We can take him places—to see you in court—to a cricket match—anywhere he fancies.’

‘Perhaps we could go somewhere this weekend?’ Daniel suggested.

‘You could go anywhere you like, but I’d like to go home this weekend. There are things I need to get sorted.’

A strange feeling coiled in Daniel’s chest. He didn’t want Colleen to go home—even for a weekend.

‘I’d prefer it if you could stay this weekend.’

‘I’m sorry. I would like to, but…’ She tailed off. ‘I really need to go home. I wouldn’t ask to go if it wasn’t important.’

Of course, she wanted to see her fiancé. The thought gave him no pleasure. He especially didn’t want to think of her with Ciaran. But he had no right to try to stop her.

Just then Dora appeared with a tray. ‘I have some sandwiches and cake. Where would you like it?’

‘No more cake.’ Colleen groaned. ‘Another couple of weeks of your baking and I won’t be able to fit into anything.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with the way you look,’ Daniel protested. ‘Nothing at all.’

To his delight, Colleen blushed. She was the only woman he knew that did. And it only made her more appealing to him. He’d choose Colleen McCulloch with her what-you-see-is-what-you-get manner over the superficially glamorous women he usually dated, any time.

‘You can always use the gym downstairs,’ Dora suggested. ‘Seeing as someone has spent a fortune on it.’

‘I hate the gym. It’s like a medieval form of torture,’ Colleen replied with a smile. ‘But I may well be forced to give it a go.’

‘We’ll take tea in the garden,’ Daniel said. ‘Please join me, Colleen. I could do with not having to think about my case for a couple of hours.’

‘I don’t suppose one little sandwich will hurt,’ Colleen replied. ‘And I was planning to take my book into the garden to read. If we sit near Harry’s room, we can hear him when he wakes up.’

Daniel took the tray from Dora. He knew he should ask the older woman to join them, but this was too good an opportunity to get Colleen to himself for a while. So they could talk about Harry, of course.

The wrought-iron table and chairs were only a short distance from Harry’s room and Daniel set down the tray and sat down.

‘It’s a beautiful day,’ Colleen said, picking up the bone china teapot. ‘I hope the weather stays like this for a while. How do you like your tea?’

‘Like my coffee. Black,’ Daniel replied and watched her through half-closed eyes as she poured the tea. She took a satisfied sip and closed her eyes, turning her face to the sun. ‘I wonder what they’re doing back in Ireland,’ she said. ‘No…wait…I know what they’ll be doing. Ciaran will be seeing to the horses with my brothers. Mammy will be in the kitchen, making dinner with the dogs at her feet.’

‘Do you miss them?’ Daniel asked.

‘I’ve never really been away from them for very long. I spend all my days off on the farm.’

‘I gather you’ve known Ciaran a long time.’

‘Since for ever, it seems. We were in high school together. He was friends with my oldest brother and used to hang about the farm. I can hardly remember a time when I didn’t know him.’ His chest tightened when some of the light went out of her grey eyes.

‘Do you love him?’ The question surprised even him.

‘Actually, Daniel, Ciaran and I have broken up. The other day—when he came to London.’

A wave of delight surged through Daniel. But why was she looking so sad?

‘Was it Ciaran who broke it off?’ If it was Ciaran and Colleen still loved him, that would account for the look in her eyes. His delight faded.

‘I’d really rather not discuss it, Daniel.’

That wasn’t good enough. He had to know how she felt.

‘Mum! Mum!’ The panicked cry came from Harry’s room and Colleen and Daniel were on their feet and running. ‘Colleen!’

They burst into Harry’s room. The boy was struggling to sit up, a look of terror on his face. ‘Where’s Mum?’ he cried. ‘I want her. Please, Colleen, I need her.’

Daniel was across the room and gathered his son into his arms, cradling the sobbing child against his chest.

‘Shh, Harry. It’s okay. I’m here. Dad’s here.’ He looked at Colleen for support. God, how often would this happen? Colleen didn’t move. Daniel continued to hold his son until the sobs quietened to only the occasional hiccups.

‘Mum. She’s dead, isn’t she?’ Harry said. ‘I keep dreaming she’s here next to me.’

‘She is next to you. She might be dead, Harry, but she’s looking over you from wherever she is. But I’m here.’

‘Don’t leave me, Daddy,’ Harry said.

Daniel hugged Harry tighter. ‘I’m never going to leave you, son. Not ever.’

* * *

Colleen had left Daniel comforting his son. She could have intervened, but it was Daniel that Harry ultimately needed. The sight of Daniel holding the son who looked so much like him made her heart twist. It would take time before the rift between them was completely healed, but if Daniel would keep his promise it was a start. It wouldn’t be long now before she could go home and leave this small family to get on with their lives. The thought made her heart ache even more. Damn it! Hadn’t she promised herself that she wouldn’t get overly emotionally involved with them? She was here to do a
job and if that job was nearly done, she should be happy and not filled with dismay.

She went upstairs to change for dinner. As the evening was warm she would swap her usual jeans and T-shirt for a summer dress. She also decided to let her hair down. Peering at her reflection in the mirror, she was irked to see that there were shadows under her eyes. Maybe she should do as Dora suggested and spend some time in the gym? She’d spent so much time inside with Harry lately; no doubt all she needed was some fresh air and exercise.

* * *

She found Daniel and Harry, who was sitting up in bed, watching a DVD. Although Harry wasn’t looking at Daniel, neither was he turning his head away.

‘Hello, you two,’ Colleen said. ‘What are you up to?’

‘It’s the test match between England and Pakistan. It’s almost finished. Do you want to watch it with us?’

‘Don’t understand the first thing about the game. Now if you were watching a rugby match that would be different.’

‘Not like cricket? Is she nuts, do you think, Harry?’

A small but unmistakable smile crossed Harry’s mouth. It seemed that more than physical progress was being made. Although his eyes were red rimmed, he seemed more settled than she’d seen him for a while.

‘Look, I’ve had an idea,’ Colleen said ‘I’m going home this weekend. But why don’t you both come too? One of our dogs has just had a litter of puppies and I’m sure you’d like to see them, Harry. You can also meet my brother Cahil. He had a head injury a few years ago and you might find it helpful to meet him. He’ll know exactly what you are going through. What do you say?’

The idea had just come to her, but the more she
thought about it, the more it seemed like a plan. She could see her family and be able to keep on top of Harry’s therapy.

A broad smile crossed Harry’s face. ‘Puppies! Could we have one, Dad?’

‘If Colleen can part with one, I don’t see why not.’ Daniel frowned and looked thoughtful. ‘But Harry and I couldn’t put your mother out. Doesn’t she have a pretty full house as it is?’

‘Oh, Mammy can always fit in another couple of bodies. She loves having people to stay and she’d love to fuss over Harry. Now her children are all almost grown up, she’s always asking when any of us are going to have kids so she can have children about the farm again.’

A shadow crossed Daniel’s face as if something she had said displeased him. Perhaps the thought of roughing it was a step too far? After all, this man was used to having a whole house to himself. He was more used to five-star hotels than a crowded farmhouse. ‘But…’ she went on hastily, ‘please don’t feel you have to come.’

‘I want to go,’ Harry said. ‘Please, Dad. I want to see the horses and the puppies.’ He looked anxious. ‘I want to stay with Colleen.’

It was only natural that the child didn’t want to be separated from her. He had got used to her being around. But as his relationship with his father improved, he’d need to become less reliant on her. If Daniel was upset that Harry didn’t seem keen to have him on his own for the weekend, he gave no indication of it.

‘If you’re sure your mother won’t mind a couple of extra guests, then we’d like to come,’ he said. ‘We could take the plane on Friday and come back on Sunday evening.’

‘That’s settled, then,’ Colleen said. ‘I’ll let Mammy know. Now, why don’t we all have dinner together?’

* * *

After dinner when Harry was back in bed and Daniel reading to him from one of the books they had brought back from Dorset, Colleen had phoned her mother to let her know there would be two extra guests at the weekend. She’d already told her that Ciaran and she had broken up, but her mother hadn’t seemed the least bit surprised. The phone call finished, Colleen let herself out of the door and into the garden. Although it was eight, the sun was still up. Harry had managed to feed himself pretty well after Colleen had cut up his food for him. It was another step in the right direction.

‘Can I join you?’ Daniel’s deep voice came from behind her. Her heart thumped.

‘Sure. I was just about to go exploring. Is Harry asleep?’

‘Yes. Why don’t we walk this way?’ Daniel took her elbow and an odd zinging sensation shot up her arm.

‘I want to thank you again,’ he said. ‘You’ve made such a difference to Harry and in such a short time.’

‘He’s a determined boy. Takes after his father, I suspect.’

‘Why don’t you ever take a compliment when it’s given to you?’

‘I’m happy to accept compliments any time,’ Colleen said. Annoyingly, she sounded breathless as if she’d been on a gallop on one of the horses.

‘In that case, you should know that you look beautiful tonight.’ His voice was easy, almost teasing, but there was an unmistakable undercurrent in his words. Was it possible Daniel Frobisher was flirting with her? Had Ciaran been right when he said Daniel was attracted to
her? She immediately dismissed the thought. Daniel’s words were just the well-oiled ones of a man used to charming people.

Daniel reached across and touched her gently on the cheek. ‘Do you know two dimples appear just here when you smile?’

The touch of his fingers made it difficult for her to breathe. Okay, so he was definitely flirting.