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Mick and Kate thought they were falling in love. Kate hadn't
been just the girl next door. She'd been Mick's life, and
he hers. When an unforeseen force draws them apart they're
left with wounds that refuse to heal. Now, ten years on,
Mick's father's will should have been straightforward, except
his addendum was like ice water in Mick's face.
It's essential that Mick and Kate work together to save
his family's farm. Mick doesn't count on his new manager
being accused of murder, and Kate doesn't expect a dangerously
seductive woman from Dublin to claim Mick is the father
of her child.
Kate thought she was falling in love with Mick all over
again; however this newest revelation is too much for her.
She is determined to finally say goodbye to her childhood
sweetheart forever, but Mick has other plans for Kate's
future. And none of them involve goodbye.
Chapter One
Solicitors office, Galway City
September
What are you doing here?
Nice to see you too, Mick. She opened one
eye to look at him.
He stood just inside the solicitors
office door. Hed expected Kate at the funeral service
yesterday, but he couldnt see any reason for her to
be here today.
He scowled in her direction, then strode to reception.
The clerk behind the desk turned a harried glance his way,
continuing to sort folders beside her computer. Can
I help you? she asked, not bothering to stop what
she was doing.
Michael Spillane to see Tighe Lynch,
he grumbled.
Finally looking up, the clerk said, Hes expecting
you. Ill let him know youre here.
As the clerk reached for the intercom, he turned back to
Kate. If this hadnt been his fathers solicitors
office and if today hadnt been the reading of his
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fathers will, he would have appreciated the sight of her in
her smart dark blue suit, white blouse with the Irish lace trim,
and matching blue pumps. She sat calmly, her head against the wall
behind her, eyes closed. She bent her shapely legs under her and
crossed them at the ankle, her hands folded in her lap.
Her emerald eyes hid beneath lids edged with thick dark lashes. He knew the
exact shade of them since hed looked into them so often
in the past. They were eyes no man could forget.
Her normally unruly black hair was pulled back in a twist and
away from her heart shaped face.
When they were kids he used to love it when she left her hair
down. The tight curls of it bounced over her shoulders like springs
when she ran. Hed seen her like that once last year when
hed been home for a couple days during Christmas. Theyd
been invited to join the Conneelys, but hed convinced his
father not to go. He couldnt bear being in the same room
with her for so long, but shed delivered food and hed
suffered anyway.
He recalled how hed stiffened just watching her walk across
the farmyard. As he did now. He mentally shook himself. This wasnt
the time or place to get an erection. The business at hand was
the will and what she was doing here now. Not the fact that just
looking at her could make him stiff.
Clearing his throat, he repeated, You didnt answer
my question. What are you doing here?
Her eyes fluttered open. The look she gave him made his heart
skip a beat. His groin tightened again watching her tongue smooth
its way over her lips. She had no idea just how erotic that simple
act was. She was about to speak when a door opened behind him.
Both of them spun to face Tighe Lynch.
Mickleen, Tighe exclaimed, using the common endearment
and thrusting his hand into his. Welcome home, lad. I just
wish it were under different circumstances. I cant tell
you how much Donal will be missed.
Mick could only tip his head at the mans kindness. Words
were still too hard to come by.
Tighe grasped Kate by her shoulders as she stood to greet him
and kissed her on both cheeks. Kate. Lovely as ever. Wont
you both step into my office?
Not one to stand on ceremony, Mick strode through the door ahead
of Kate and Tighe and went right into the solicitors office.
He knew where it was. Was it really only a little more than two
years ago hed been here to discuss his mothers will?
His scowl deepened when Kate walked through the office door ahead
of Tighe. He got the perfect look at her shapely bum as she was
forced to step between him and the desk to the seat beside him.
He shifted in his seat, crossing his legs and pulling his coat
around him to hide his erection. He kept his mind on wondering
why she was at the reading of his fathers will to keep his
libido under control.
Surely, shed earned a regular wage for the time she spent
cleaning his fathers house and cooking his meals. She was
hired help and would have been paid accordingly. So there should
be no reason why she should be here today. Unless there was something
the solicitor knew and wasnt telling them. Yet.
I thought this was just a formality, Tighe. Why is she
here? He couldnt even use her name. Just the feel
of it in his mouth would leave him tongue-tied.
Tighe stopped him with an upheld hand. If youll both
bear with me, I will explain. The solicitor turned to a
folder on his desk and opened it, extracting two documents. Holding
one before him, he said, This is your fathers will,
Michael. Its all very straight forward. In it, the farm,
the stock, the landalmost everything is left to you.
Almost?
Well get to that, lad, Tighe said.
Tighe looked at Kate and held up the second document. This
is the addendum to the will.
Addendum? she asked.
An addendum means that instead of making up a whole new
will, Dad just changed it. Mick, not looking at her, directed
his statement to the solicitor and waited for the shoe to drop.
Leave it to his father to make this more difficult on him than
it already was. Wasnt it bad enough he couldnt get
rid of the tremendous feeling of guilt for not spending more time
with him? He never wanted to believeor admithis father
was that sick. Sure, Kate called him regularly with updates. He
heard everything shed said, but why the hell hadnt
he listened to her!
Changed the will? she asked. Is that right,
Mr. Lynch?
In a manner of speaking, Tighe replied. It
means he added something into the original will.
When was this? Mick asked.
If youll allow me, Ill read what Donal has
bequeathed. If you have any questions we can go from there. Right?
Both Mick and Kate nodded agreement. Tighe read the will as it
stood and then the addendum. Mick couldnt believe what he
was hearing. That bastard! he muttered. Out of the
corner of his eye he saw the wide glares both Kate and Tighe gave
him at the curse.
Mr. Lynch. Kates voice came on a whisper. What
does this mean? I dont understand it. Her eyes were
big as she clutched the arms of her chair now, knuckles as white
as her face. Gone was the cool Kate hed seen in the waiting
room. In a matter of minutes shed gone from radiant to ashen.
He was sure he wasnt looking too good right about now either.
Yes, Tighe. Can you explain it in plain English?
he asked. Why do will readings always have to be so damn dramatic?
In plain English, your father left everything to you, Michael.
However, the addendum states if you try to sell the farm, I have
instructions to give everything to Kate.
Everything? whispered Kate, shaking her head.
Thats insane, muttered Mick.
Tighe sat back in his tucked leather chair and clasped his fingers
together on the desk. Your father was quite sane at the
time, lad. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Knew what he was doing? Hes giving the farm to her.
Thats sane? He flung his arm toward Kate as he bellowed.
She flinched. Good. Her weakness meant she wouldnt
fight him when he contested the will. And he meant to.
He was well within his rights, Michael. But Kate gets everything
only if you try to sell.
What am I going to do with a bloody farm? It was
a rhetorical question. He raked his trembling fingers through
his hair.
Silence settled around the office. It was a moment before he
realized Tighe was staring at him. Ah no, Tighe. Theres
more, isnt there?
Your father gave Kate full custody of Molly. It was his
opinion that since she raised the dog because he couldnt,
she should have the dog.
Bollocks! he spat, ignoring Kates sharp intake
of breath. I gave him that dog. Shes part of the farm.
By rights, shes mine.
You two will have to work out where the dog will live,
but Molly is Kates dog now.
He threw himself back in the chair. And what if I contest
the whole thing?
Try, lad. It wont get you anywhere. Your father was
determined to give Kate something for everything shes done
for your family.
But, Mr. Lynch, I havent done anything, Kate
finally spoke. I only kept his house and made a meal or
two. That was nothing less than Id have done for my own
family.
Tighe looked at her with seriousness and understanding. Kate,
you were an important part of Donals last years and he was
grateful to you. He told me everything you did for him, and for
Mary when she was dying from the cancer. And without so much as
a euro in payment. Dont be so modest, girleen. The world
needs more lasses such as yourself.
Yeah, right. Mick couldnt imagine Kate putting
her life on hold for so long without a cent in payment.
Tighe turned to Mick, exasperation written all over his face.
Everything's completely documented, Michael. Kate hasnt
accepted a cent for everything shes done the past few years.
She took complete care of both of your parents in their final
years. The glare Tighe shot him was clearly meant to cut
him down to sizeand it worked. Suitably berated, he slunk
back in his seat. You should be thanking her, not doubting
her.
He glanced at Kate, her face pink from Tighes comments,
but she didnt say anything. The only telling sign of her
emotion was the tear rolling down her cheek and the quiver of
her chin. He had a sudden desire to kiss that tear away and still
her trembling. Instead, he mentally slapped himself to remind
him what was happening. He was going to lose the farm. Hed
already lost the dog.
I know this must be very hard for you, lass, the
lawyer continued. Donal told me often enough how he and
Mary loved you like a daughter.
Kate sniffled heavily. Her voice was a mere whisper and she spoke
through trembling lips, the same lips Mick still longed to kiss.
He always told me that, but I thought it was just because
he missed Mick so much. I never realized he meant it. And now
its too late to tell him I loved him, too.
She buried her face in her palms, bringing Tighe from behind
his desk. He withdrew a hankie from his breast pocket and handed
it to her, patting her on the shoulder. He knew, dear. Actions
often speak louder than words.
She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. IIm
sorry. He was such a lovely man and I miss him so.
Mick was caught between anger at what his father had done and
the urge to push Tighe aside and comfort Kate himself.
What was he to do about his fathers wishes? He could contest,
but Tighe said he didnt stand a chance. Supposedly his father
had been sane when he wrote the will, and the addendum.
What was he going to do with the farm? Farm life wasnt
for him. His life was in Dublin. He had a great job there in the
museum. It was the ideal situation to use his history degree.
He had friends and a new flat. He couldnt just up and leave
it all behind. He wouldnt. There had to be another way.
If there were any way out of this, hed find it.
Mick cleared his throat. Tighe looked up. Are we done here
then?
Aye, Michael, as soon as you sign these forms. Just a formality.
Tighe explained the final paperwork that closed the file.
Signature in place, Mick rose and begrudgingly lifted his hand
to Tighes. Thank you, Tighe. I think. He turned
and left the office, not bothering to look at Kate. He couldnt.
By all rights her grief should be his. If hed only listened
to her . . . Now, instead of grief, guilt overwhelmed him.
* * * *
Kate stepped up to the park bench in front of the solicitors
office on Eyre Square where Mick was sitting. His feet were on
the bench seat with his bum hanging off the backrest. He was bent
over with his elbows resting on his knees, his dark curly hair
falling over his eyes, and a cigarette smoldering between his
fingers.
Did you pick up that habit in Dublin?
He cast her little more than a glance through the curls and took
a long drag on his cigarette. She ignored his glare and sat on
the opposite end of the bench. She extended her hand toward him,
inclining her head at the cigarette. He hesitated for just a moment
before giving it to her.
Fool.
She dropped in on the pavement in front of her and squashed it
out.
Hey!
Smoking doesnt suit you, Mick. She bent to
retrieve the butt and stuffed it into the cigarette box on the
side of the bin next to her.
What I do is no concern of yours.
She crossed her legs and arms, then shook her head back and forth,
watching the people in the park. You dont get it,
do you? Your father just died because hed spent a lifetime
smoking them fags. Yet, here you sit with one hanging out of your
mouth and right from the reading of his will. What did they teach
you at that fancy school of yours, anyway?
She looked up at him as she spoke. His moss colored eyes darkened
at her commen. For a moment they stared at each other. He didnt
bother to brush the hair out of his eyes. She had to suppress
the urge to reach up and do it herself.
Since hed walked into the solicitors office in his
tailored charcoal suit, her heart had pounded in her chest. His
dark hair was full of wavy curls that framed his face. His gaze
bore into her, heating her in the pit of her belly, and threatened
to steal her breath. She relented and backed down, looking away.
There was something in his eyes she couldnt read. When
she was fifteen, she thought she could see into his soul through
his eyes. That was when she thought there was something more between
them than friendship. Shed loved him as a friend. Possibly
even more, but certainly never as a brother.
Then something happened. She never knew what drew him away. Shed
even sent him notes asking him to meet her at the stone circle,
which had been their secret place growing up. The circle was on
the property lines of both Conneely and Fairhill farms. They spent
countless hours there together. Growing up and growing close.
But hed never come to meet her.
In time, she stopped trying. She didnt want to be a clingy
female begging for his attention. Hed told her once to mind
her own business, so she had.
That didnt mean the sight of him didnt tear out her
heart. She lived for years with an ache she couldnt name.
It was only when Mick moved to Dublin that shed been able
to get on with her life. Thered been no chance of meeting
him in the village or seeing him again. His life was in Dublin
now and she could get on with hers in Connemara. With his absence
shed tried to let her heart heal.
Since his move, she hadnt seen him except on the very rare
occasion, like holidays and the funeral yesterday when hed
stood as far away from her as possible. And today. The sight of
him stole her breath. As always, there had been that brief instant
where she expected him to open to her. Instead, the anger in his
eyes snapped her back to reality quick enough.
Looking into his eyes now she could almost see him as she had
when shed been fifteenfull of hope and expectations.
He must have sensed her scrutiny and erected a wall between them,
challenging her to get through it. Her heart lurched, and almost
instantly the feelings shed thought buried deep inside her
surfaced.
She turned away before she made a fool of herself. There was
no denying what she felt. God help her, even through all the heartache
and his retreat from her, she still loved him.
So deep in her revelation she almost missed what he said next.
I suppose youd also deny a man a pint as well.
There it was again, the bitterness he seemed to throw at her for
no reason.
Well, she wouldnt let him hurt her again. She might still
love him, but not enough to let him walk over her. And thats
just what hed done the last ten years.
She picked at a non-existent speck on her skirt, then stood slowly
before turning toward him. She needed time before she could face
him. When she finally did she wished she had a few more moments,
because now that she looked back into his challenging eyes, she
wanted to turn and run. But she stood her ground. She wouldnt
let him intimidate her. There was too much at stake since the
will had been read.
She had to find a way to help Mick keep his farm.
Looking into his eyes, she knew she was right. Anything they
had between each other was just the result of growing up in farms
that were side by side, and the fact their fathers had been close
friends. Nothing more.
Was it hatred she saw in his gaze or jealousy? Whatever it was,
she would ignore it. She would help him find a way to keep the
farm, then be out of his life forever.
No, Mick, she finally said, letting herself breathe
again. As a matter of fact, Ill buy it for you. Come
on. She turned on her heel and strode across the park without
looking back.
REVIEWS
***** FIVE STARS! Kemberlee Shortland has written a heartwarming
story that will long remain in my mind. Recommended!
~ Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews
A Piece of My Heart is terrific romantic/suspense fiction to
savor and share with family and friends.
~ Viviane Crystal, Crystal Reviews
Available now from Highland
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