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"A bad breakup," Iris said, surprised that tidbit had jumped out of her mouth. It was highly unusual for her to share personal details of her life, as she was always focused on listening to other people's problems. Now, as they careened toward certain death on the windiest, most narrow road she'd ever been on in her life, Iris figured, what did it matter? They’d be dead within the hour at this rate anyway. "I've had a bit of a hiccup in my life, I guess you'd say. And my ex-boyfriend betrayed me. For some reason, I seemed to think that hopping on a plane to Ireland was what I needed."
"Is that right? Well, Iris, in the nature of comradery and good will, I can tell you that I am here for much the same reason. I also had a bad breakup." Kane gave her a sympathetic look, and Iris vacillated between warming to him and wanting to scream at him to keep his eyes on the road.
"So it's the broken hearts club, huh?" Iris asked. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Is this a game of I'll show you mine if you show me yours?" Kane laughed at Iris's look. "I meant telling me your story. Although if you do want to show me anything else, I might be game for it."
To her absolute shock, Iris realized that Kane was lightly flirting with her. It had been years since she had been in any sort of social situation where someone would flirt with her and, even then, it was a rare occurrence. Perhaps it was her bristly nature, or her wild-colored hair, or the fact that she was naturally distrustful of most people, but Iris had long ago understood that she wasn't the type of woman who got hit on.
"Eyes on the road, buddy. I've got no goods to offer," Iris said, though warmth slipped through her at the thought that this delicious man might actually want to get in bed with her.
"I beg to differ, but since I don't want to be the creep who makes the lone woman I've picked up in my car uncomfortable, I will instead tell you great tales of my heartbreak. Nothing woos a woman more than hearing about how another woman has stomped all over a man's heart, right?"
"Well, we are a bloodthirsty lot," Iris said and was pleased when Kane laughed.
"Don't I know it? Allow me to weave you a classic brokenhearted tale of unrequited love," Kane said. While his tone was light, Iris noticed that his knuckles had turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. Whatever he was about to tell her still hurt for him. Despite not wanting to get involved, Iris could already feel herself wanting to make it better for him. "In a classic runaway bride story, my bride left me at the altar. It turns out that she had been sleeping with my ... " At his pause, Iris glanced at Kane to see his lips pressed together in a tight line. It was as though he'd been about to say something and caught himself in time. Iris could understand that, as she would also have to give a redacted version of her own story. Allowing him the time to collect himself, she stared out the window at rolling green fields dotted with little white fluff balls of sheep.
"She was sleeping with a colleague of mine,” Kane finally continued. “For years. And all that time, not once had I suspected anything. I think that is what shook me more than anything. She was so sweet and kind and what I thought was an easygoing fit into my life. And the whole time, she'd been lying to me. I guess my biggest issue is what does that say about me if I can't even notice that the person I thought I loved was lying to me?"
"It means that you want to believe the best of people. And that you're willing to trust until that trust is broken. It's not a bad trait," Iris said. She took her eyes off the sheep to study Kane's striking visage once again. "You can't beat yourself up for information you didn't have."
Now if she could only give herself the same advice, Iris thought. However, she had been privy to information in a way that others weren't. Her spirit guides warned her away from Warren. She should have known better. Kane, on the other hand, had acted on good faith in his relationship.
"You say that so easily. I wish I could believe it. Instead, it feels like my entire life has been thrown into question. Because if I didn't catch that she was a liar and a cheat, what else am I missing? How can I trust anything?" Kane laughed ruefully. "I suppose that's getting a little deep for having just met you. Anyhow, that's my side of things. What about you?"
"Much the same," Iris said, "except there wasn't any cheating. That I know of, at least. We were business partners, and he betrayed me and stole my money." It was about as much as Iris was willing to share without giving away too many details. She wasn't ready to give more information until she had a better idea if anyone overseas had heard of her plight.
"Well, now that's just shite, isn't it? You're supposed to be able to trust the people you're in business with. And for him to steal from you? I hope you filed charges." Kane's brow wrinkled in anger for her, and Iris found that she could smile.
"I did file charges. In fact, I think that was the only moment in all of this that I actually felt like I was taking some of my power back." At her words, Kane looked at her in surprise.
"Taking your power back. That's such an interesting way to phrase it. Maybe that's something I really need to think about."
For the rest of the ride, as though they'd reached an unspoken agreement that they had both danced too close to vulnerable spaces, they spoke of nonsense things like sports, weather, and their favorite foods. By the time they crested the hill and drove into Grace's Cove, Iris was all but drooping from exhaustion. However, she was grateful she had listened to her spirit guides. Kane had proved to be a witty and intelligent distraction, and she was more than delighted that they'd arrived at their destination in one piece.
The village of Grace's Cove spread out before her, and something shifted inside Iris, like a key fitting into a lock. Colorful houses dotted rolling green hills that hugged a softly curved harbor. On the water, a few ships sailed home for the night, and Iris wondered if they were fishing or tour boats. As they drove farther into the village, the buildings mashed more closely together, and each sported a brightly colored door. Altogether, Iris found herself charmed, and a soft sigh of pleasure escaped her lips.
"It gets you, doesn't it? I've only been here once but, still, this place has called to me. I'm glad to be back," Kane said as he pulled to a stop in front of Iris's accommodation. Turning, he held out a hand. "Gallagher's Pub is right down the street and has the best meal in town. I'll be there for a pint later if you're feeling sociable."
Iris took his hand, feeling that same jolt of recognition run up her arm, and her realization that she wanted to see Kane again unsettled her.
"I likely won't be," Iris answered, forgetting to be polite.
"At least I know you're being honest with me." Kane laughed. "Until I see you next then, Iris."
Chapter 4
The cottage was exactly what Kane had hoped for when he’d called the rental agency, equally as charming as it was serviceable. He’d happily signed a six-month lease, not caring if Grant would freak out that he was going off grid or not. London didn’t make him happy. While Kane wasn’t sure what did make him happy these days, that much he did know.
Located farther up the main hill behind Grace’s Cove, the cottage had a bird’s-eye view of the village and the harbor but still allowed for a comfortable walk into town when he fancied a pint and some conversation. However, the cottage also came with the welcome benefit of being situated on several acres of its own land, rendering the nearest neighbor a good ten-minute walk away. Truly, the combination of privacy along with the opportunity to socialize, if needed, made Kane’s introverted heart sing.
The cottage setup was fairly simple, with the front door leading directly into the combined kitchen and living area. There, a low-slung leather couch was situated in front of a lovely fireplace. A cozy armchair in the corner faced the long row of windows that looked out to the water. On either end of the main room, two doors led to small but respectable bedrooms, both sporting tiny en suite bathrooms. He already knew which bedroom he’d use for his office and made a mental note about getting a desk delivered after the weekend. In the meantime, he’d work just fine at the small dining room table tucked in a corner across from the kitchen. Long wooden beams crossed the ceiling, and the stone walls were painted a soft white. Vibrant rugs were tossed across the wood floor, adding warmth to the room, and a basket of throw blankets was tucked by the sofa. Kane walked to the French doors in the kitchen, and his heart did a little dance. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open and stepped into the cool early evening air.
As far as the eye could see, nature beckoned. No buildings, no stores, and no endless line of cars. Instead, several chairs had been tucked around a table and a small firepit with fairy lights strung above. Beyond that, the hills rolled away in an endless swath of green that brought a smile to Kane’s lips. He’d missed Ireland.
Without thinking twice, Kane bent and untied his boots, removing them along with his socks. Then he strode across the backyard and into the field, a shiver running through him as his feet dug into the damp earth. Smiling, he turned and faced the water, allowing himself to take the first real deep breath he’d taken in months. A touch of the sea mixed with wet earth filled his nostrils, and Kane reveled in how much he’d missed this connection to nature. What had he been doing locking himself up in that tiny apartment in London when he could have acres of land to wander here? This was exactly what he’d needed.
Kane continued to walk, stepping carefully so as not to hurt himself, enjoying the squish of mud between his toes. This felt like taking his power back, the term Iris had used popping into his head. This…this felt like the start of the path he needed to be on to right his ship, so to speak.
