The Mystery of the Claddagh Rings (7 page)

“I understand.” And she did, but it was too much to wrap her mind around. First things first, the rest could come later. She levelled a gaze at Ryan. “But if you really love me, you’ll put this on hold until after our wedding.”

“Consider it done.”

She nodded. “And Thomas, I expect you to be there.”

The older man smiled, clearly relieved she had chosen to include him. “Actually, Ryan’s asked me to be his best man.”

****

Ryan danced with his new bride under the mistletoe hanging from the ballroom ceiling. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Ivory satin clung to her curves as her spike heels tapped out the merengue rhythm. Her mane of sable hair swung to the beat, blue eyes laughing as he claimed her delicious mouth. They circled the dance floor, her scent swirling, a flash of leg blasting his desire into the red zone. He yanked it back, holding onto his sanity by a tenuous thread. Another few hours and he would sate his passion. And hers. Especially hers. Teach her other ways a man could love a woman besides the traditional.

She belonged to him now. She was his to honor with his body and soul. He saw the trust in her eyes when she looked at him. A trust so new and fragile it scared him to death. And yet he cherished it, would build on it, would die before he’d let her down. Emotion rose, tightening its hold. He’d be lost without her.

The band changed up the tempo. Thomas tapped his shoulder when a waltz began to play. “You wouldn’t refuse an old man a dance with his daughter, would you?”

Ryan hesitated. Fin pushed against his chest, moving into her father’s arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He relaxed, noticed his friend’s cane hooked behind his chair at the table. Could only imagine how important this dance must be for Thomas to attempt a step without it. His leg had been badly damaged in the bomb blast. The simple act of walking was painful.

“Do you think you could partner with your mother-in-law now that Fiona’s found herself a distinguished older gentleman?” Poppy stood at his elbow, looking radiant in shimmering yellow silk. “It’s strange, but Thomas looks so familiar. It’s as if I’ve met him before.”

Ryan didn’t want to go down that road and neither did Thomas. Not until the rings were in their possession. Only God knew what would happen if Poppy recognized the father of her child. Although chances were slim, considering they’d only spent one night together. Still, he danced her to the other side of the room and changed the topic. “Thanks for giving us the wedding. You’ve made Fin and I very happy.”

She tipped her chin, the ghost of a smile touching her lips. “I’m the dreamer in our family, Ryan, the one who believed in love at first sight. And yet, I think Fiona is the one who found it.”

“I love her and she loves me.” He dipped Poppy slightly and swung her upright again. “It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other.”

The song ended. She stepped away from him, hands dropping at her sides. “Stay true to her, Ryan. Or I’ll be forced to kill you.”

He laughed as she walked away, although he hadn’t missed the steel edge in her voice. Admiration spiked for some crazy reason. Poppy might play at being an empty-headed movie star, but he suspected she was calculated and brilliant beneath the facade. And he wouldn’t bet on Ramsey’s continued good health now she knew he’d abused her daughter. Of course, she might have to stand in line to do any damage.

He glanced up and saw his mother coming toward him, looking elegant in moss-green silk. She’d never looked happier, moving through the room and greeting other guests. He took her aside and told her he was close to clearing his father’s name. “Take your time, Ryan. Enjoy your life with Fin. That’s what’s important. If it’s meant to be, the rest will fall into place.”

He swept her out on the dance floor, admiring her moves as they danced to an old rock ’n’ roll number. The song ended and he walked her back to her table, noticing Judge Miller place a proprietary arm along the back of her chair once she was seated. Who knew, maybe his marriage to Fin had sparked a little romance for his mom. God knew she deserved it.

Saying his goodbyes, he looked around for Fin. Ryan frowned. Where was she? She’d been on the dance floor just moments ago. He searched the crowd again. Still no Fin. Okay, something was going on. His gaze settled on a cluster of women off to one side of the room, Fin at their center. Ah, that explained it—the bouquet toss. And Ronnie was the big winner, shrieking with delight.

He touched Fin’s elbow. She turned, taking his hand and grinning. “The men are waiting for you to toss the garter.”

“They’ll be waiting until the cows come home, sunshine, because it’s not happening.”

Yeah, he refused to do the garter thing, slipping it off her leg and pitching it into a bunch of single guys. No freaking way. First off, he would have to strip her naked at the first feel of her leg in his hands. And second? Nothing worn on her delectable body would ever be handled by another man. That’s the way it was. Take it or leave it.

He grabbed Fin around the waist, growling in her ear. “It’s time to go.”

“Yes it is.” She kissed him on the lips. “Just let me see my friends off first.”

Tears were shed and promises made for upcoming visits. He bundled Fin into his coat to keep her warm as her girlfriends piled into a limo. Nantucket Memorial Airport was just a few kilometres down the road. The girls would fly from there to make their connecting flights for Hawaii, Texas, New York and Alaska. Fin waved until the town car disappeared from view.

He unlocked the door to the guesthouse, carried her across the threshold, and set her down. Someone had been busy. A fire glowed in the hearth. Champagne chilled in a silver bucket and rose petals adorned the bed. Fin laughed. “I think we’ve been visited by cupid.”

“Your mother?” he asked.

“Or maybe yours.” She came into his arms, laying her head against his shoulder. “Could we pop the cork and enjoy a drink in the hot tub? I love watching the stars.”

“I love watching you.” His lips met hers and she opened for him, taking the kiss deeper. He was about to undress her when he heard a car drive up. He peered out the window and opened the door. “Hold that thought, sunshine.”

Thomas crossed to the doorway, a frown riding his brow. He nodded to both of them. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”

“What’s going on?” Fin pulled him inside, sitting him down by the fire. “Tell us what’s happened.”

“It’s Poppy.” Undoing his overcoat, Thomas accepted the glass of scotch she handed him. “I made an error in judgment by keeping her out of the loop about the rings.”

Ryan’s gut tightened. This couldn’t be good. “What are you talking about?”

“I overheard her talking to your mother.” Thomas sighed, shaking his head. “It seems she put little parting gifts into the maid of honor’s and bridesmaids’ luggage.”

“Well, what are they?” Fin looked perplexed. “Knowing Poppy, it could be anything from jewellery to offering them one of her timeshares for a holiday.”

“Why don’t you check for yourself, Fin?” Thomas tipped his glass, downing the scotch in one swallow. “Apparently, she also left a little something for you.”

Fin gazed around the room and noticed a small gift box on the fireplace mantel. She pulled at the ribbon and tore at the paper. Ryan stood at her shoulder. Nestled inside was a Claddagh ring. “My God, she found them. I hid them where I used to hide my childhood treasures, inside my dollhouse. She must have known where to look.”

“And, unfortunately, Poppy didn’t know their significance.” Thomas added, “I’m guessing your friends have the other four.”

“I’ll call their cell phones.” Fin handed her father the jewellery box, found her phone and flipped through the address book. “They should check for messages as soon as they land.”

“Honey, don’t say anything to alarm them.” Ryan shot her a smile, the kind that never reached his eyes. Hell, the women were carrying pieces of a puzzle that could get them all killed. “Just ask them to call you as soon as they land.”

“I wish we knew who’s after the money. Paul still isn’t saying much. He keeps shouting for his lawyer.” Thomas moved to the scotch bottle to pour himself another round. “There were a lot of people still at the reception when Poppy and your mother were talking, Ryan. Anyone could have overheard them.”

“I’ll contact the bureau and have agents meet the flights when they land.” He made the call, providing the flight numbers Fin gave him before disconnecting.

“Do you think my friends are in danger?” Fin wrung her hands, clearly rattled, her gaze locked with his. “Tell me the truth.”

Crossing the room, Ryan gathered her against him. He wanted to lie, but God help him, he couldn’t. “Maybe. It’s also possible no one heard Poppy and my mom talking. Either way, I doubt whoever is after the rings knows where your friends live.”

“Well, at least they didn’t get this one. And they can’t break the code without it.” Thomas left his drink on the table, pocketed the ring, and opened the door. Ryan watched him limp off the front step and ease behind the wheel of his car. He turned the key in the ignition and powered out of the drive.

Arms wrapped around his neck, Fin rose on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. She curved into him, murmuring against his throat. “I’m so happy for us, and so afraid for my friends.”

He sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap. Calmness came over him, his sixth sense telling him the journey of the Claddagh rings wasn’t over. Whatever was meant to be would happen no matter what they did. The best he could do was put a positive spin on it. “The rings brought us together, Fin. We’d never have found each other without them. Try to hold onto that.”

“You’re right.” She snuggled deeper into his embrace. “They were lucky for us in a way, weren’t they?”

“They were.” Ryan slowly undressed her. Scooping her up, he carried her to the hot tub. Stripped off his clothes and slid in beside her. He gazed overhead. Stars winked above them, one of them burning brighter than the others.

“I’m wishing on that one.” Fin pointed to it and smiled. “It looks magical.”

“
You’re
magical.” Ryan cuddled her against him, nipping an ear.

He thanked God for this moment, this woman, and whatever the future held for them. With Fin by his side, they might be in for a wild ride, but they would handle the highs and lows together.

A word about the author...

Kallie Lane writes suspenseful romantic fiction with a touch of humor to lighten the dark moments. She understands the rough edges of alpha males and loves to write about them, helping them find the women who complete them in every way that matters. She excels at hard-hitting action and complex relationships that end with the heroine and hero building a life together.

Kallie loves to write stories with realistic characters, intricate plots, and happy endings. With her Shadow Soldier series, she has had the pleasure of meeting many military men who fit the bill. And while she loves doing extensive research, many of the locations and perils in her stories stem from personal experience. The isolated cottage in Dark Abandon is her own, her boating disasters serving as inspiration for her heroine’s. Her recent release, Reckless Abandon, takes place at a rodeo where she spent much of her time. She was thrilled when the novel was rated Best Book by Long and Short Reviews.

Kallie lives in Canada, was born and raised there, and loves winter in the cool blue North. Ever the optimist, she claims a hot toddy by the fire can work wonders after dragging oneself through snowdrifts and -45C degree temperatures. The perfect setting for hatching romantic suspense novels.

To learn more about Kallie, visit her website at http://www.kallielane.com/ or follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KallieLaneAuthor or Twitter at https://twitter.com/KallieLane

Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.