Because You're Mine(16)

She closed her eyes and felt like purring. “That’s nice.” Tipping her head, she brushed her lips across the back of his hand. “Thank you, Barry.” Attraction to her new husband flared in a way she hadn’t experienced before. She raised heavy lids and stared into his face.

She could see in his eyes the desire to kiss her, and it brought her to her senses. It was too soon to feel this way, with Liam just gone. “I’m tired and I’m sure you are too.”

He stilled, then stepped away. “I’ll leave you to unpack. I’ll be just across the hall in my room.”

Relief drained the tension from her shoulders. She hadn’t been quite sure what would happen once the wedding vows were taken. Barry loved her, and she knew it. At least he was giving her time to get over Liam and learn to love again.

If it was even possible.





Seven


Jesse’s mother touched his arm. “The detective will be here soon. Maybe you should take a pill.”

“I don’t want a pill!” His mom winced, and he quickly added, “Sorry,” to apologize for his sharp tone. He rubbed his head as he stood staring out the window, and the pain began to ease. A van drew to the curb outside. “I think he’s here.”

It wasn’t a man who stepped from the van, but three women. He recognized them as members of Ceol. The beautiful black woman was Ciara. She sang alto. The pink-haired one, Ena, played the pennywhistle and the guitar. Fiona, the blonde, sang lead now that Alanna was recovering from throat surgery. How was Alanna doing now? She was married as of eleven this morning.

Her marriage was something he’d done his best not to think about. It was his fault she’d lost Liam. But he couldn’t ignore the gnawing jealousy in his gut at the thought of her with another man. He felt as though she belonged to him, even though he had no conscious memory of them ever dating.

He met the band members at the door. “Hi.” Opening the door wide, he stepped aside so they could step in.

Ciara’s white teeth flashed in a smile. Her high heels clicked on the tile floor as she stepped inside. “It’s good you’re looking, Jesse.” Her dark eyes assessed his face. “The scars are healing.”

He touched his chin where the most prominent scar lingered. “I’m hoping this was the last surgery.”

“Your voice doesn’t sound quite so gruff either,” Fiona said. “Your vocal cords must be healing too.”

“So the doctors say. Come on in and sit down. I’m sick of my own company.” He led them into the living room.

His mother came through the doorway from the living room with a pot of tea and cups. “Just in time to join us,” she said, smiling.

“We can’t stay long,” Ciara said, always the spokesperson. But she still moved to the sofa and sank onto the overstuffed cushion. The others imitated her action. She tossed her black cornrows behind her shoulders and laced her fingers together over one kneecap. “We need your help.”

“Oh my dear, Jesse is in no shape to help anyone,” his mother said. “He’s still recovering.”

Jesse straightened. When was the last time he’d done anything other than wander the house aimlessly and lie on the sofa? It was driving him crazy, and the thought of escaping this place held appeal. “What do you need?”

Her lips lifted in a coaxing smile. “We need a percussionist. I heard you play the last time we were here. You’re good, very good, especially on the bodhran. Our tour is coming up, and we haven’t been able to find a new drummer.”

“I’m a novice,” he said. “I’m not sure I can keep up with what you need.”

“It’s desperate, we are. Say you’ll at least practice with us in the morning? For Liam’s sake?”

He needed a purpose. Maybe this was it. “I’m not nearly as good as Liam, and what about Alanna? I doubt she wants me around.”

“Alanna will do what’s best for the band.”

The thought of seeing her again was a major enticement. “I’ll give it a shot if you’re sure.”

“Son, you’d better ask the doctor first,” his mother said.

He set his jaw at her protest. “I think it’s for me to decide,” he said. “I’ve got to find something to occupy my time.”

“A tour schedule is grueling,” Ena said. “Maybe your mum is right about checking.”

“It’s the inactivity that’s bugging me,” he said. “I want to try.” He’d been practicing since he was well enough to pick up a drum, and his teacher said he’d never seen a faster learner. He felt more together when he played the bodhran, too, more himself. It might be good for him to be around Liam’s friends.

His mother pressed her lips together but said nothing more.

“Shall we pick you up in the morning and drive out to see Alanna?” Ciara asked. “We’ll be having Liam’s drums loaded in the van.”

He nodded. “About nine?”

Ciara smiled and went toward the door with the other two women trailing her. “See you then!”

The triumph in her voice made him smile. She might not be so happy after she listened to him practice with them. He waved as they got in the van and drove off, but his elation didn’t last long when a police car turned the corner and stopped in front of the house.