Because You're Mine(43)

Her door opened, and Barry thrust his head in. “What are you doing with that, Alanna?”

She turned with a smile that ebbed when she saw his dark expression. “I heard it playing last night and found it in an abandoned room. I quite adore it, Barry. My sister had one like it. In fact, I was wondering if it might be the same one. How did it come to be here?”

“It’s been here as long as I can remember. I’ve never asked where it came from.”

“Do you recognize the tune?”

“No.” He stepped in. “It needs to be returned to the room where you found it.”

“Please let me keep it?” she coaxed. “Who can enjoy it otherwise?”

His attempt at a smile was more of a grimace. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, sugar, but I can’t let you keep it here. Feel free to listen to it in that room anytime though.”

“You don’t really believe there’s a banshee, do you?”

He didn’t answer as he reached past her and closed the lid to the music box. The abrupt cessation of the delightful sound pained her. He lifted it in his hands and took it out. Alanna followed him, still disbelieving that her doting husband would deny her something that meant so much to her.

When he disappeared around the corner, she decided to see if he might take it to the padlocked room Grady had shown her. Her bare feet made no sound on the floor. When she reached the place where the corridor branched off, she saw Barry disappear around another bend. She followed him through the twists and turns of the halls until she was thoroughly lost.

She saw Barry pass the padlocked door and return the music box to its original location. She paused and leaned against the wall by the padlock until Barry exited the bedroom and shut the door. He stopped when he saw her standing there.

“I neglected to ask how you’re feeling this morning,” he said, his smile breaking out.

“I’m a little sore, but I will soon be to rights when I get a chance to practice with my mates,” she said. She turned and yanked on the doorknob. “Why is this locked? None of the other rooms are.”

He took her arm and pulled her away. “It’s just got my business papers in it. I don’t trust Grady not to meddle, so I lock it up.”

His tone held tension under the casual words. She realized she didn’t believe him. As far as she knew, he’d never lied to her before, but somehow she knew he wasn’t telling her the truth. It made her more determined to see what was inside that room. But judging by the way he moved her along at a fast clip, she knew better than to ask for admittance. Maybe later.

Right now she needed her band, her music. And she needed to be finding out what Jesse was doing at the estate last night.

She tugged her arm out of Barry’s grasp so he would slow. “I’ll be meeting Ceol in Charleston today to practice. What car do you want me to take?”

He stopped walking and stared down at her. “I’ve got a conference call that will last several hours. I can perhaps take you after my business is concluded.”

“I’m perfectly capable of driving myself. I’ve gotten quite used to cars on the opposite side of the road. I need to practice most of the day.”

He frowned. “You shouldn’t drive in your condition, Alanna.” His gaze swept her bare feet. “And certainly not without shoes.”

She smiled up at him. “But the nail polish is such a beautiful color.”

His stone-faced expression didn’t recognize her attempt at humor. “I really don’t want you driving the cars. It’s tricky driving on the opposite side of the road. If you listen to the radio or get distracted in any way, you’ll veer to the wrong side.”

“I’m not a lass, Barry,” she said. “I’ve been driving fifteen years.”

He took her elbow and led her down the corridor again. “Things are different here in the South, sugar. I’d rather drive you. I’ll come find you when I’ve finished my conference call. You had a fall yesterday. Practicing all day would be too arduous anyway. Remember the baby. You don’t know your own limits.”

Maybe he was right. Liam had also said she pushed herself too much. Every muscle still ached, and she needed to guard the baby.

“Take a nap,” he urged. “I can see you’re limping. I doubt you slept very well.”

“No. No, I didn’t.” She allowed him to lead her to her bedroom door. “Thanks for taking care of me.”

He brushed his lips across her forehead. “I’ll try not to be long,” he whispered. He caught a strand of red hair in his fingers and kissed it before letting her go with obvious reluctance.

She closed the door behind him, then sat on the edge of the bed. Though her body ached, she wasn’t sleepy. A nap didn’t sound appealing. She’d rather find out what Jesse was doing wandering the estate last night. She rang Ciara and told her what had happened.

“I don’t believe Jesse would hurt you,” Ciara said after a long pause.

“Then what was he doing here? He’d left with you, then came back. And he appeared right after someone shoved me down the hill.”

“I don’t know, but I’m sure there’s a good reason. The main thing is you’re all right. The baby is okay?”

“The ultrasound showed him doing cartwheels,” Alanna said.