Forever Mine: Callaghan Brothers, Book 9(19)

With each mile, his anticipation grew.

After pulling into the parking lot of O’Leary’s diner, Jack cut the engine. He took several deep breaths; his heart was leaping against the walls of his chest, his palms sweaty. With one last check in the mirror, he pulled off the patch of toilet paper from his chin (it had been a rather quick shave), and headed for the front door.

He made it about half way across the lot when he stopped. There, in the window, he saw her. Kathleen. Looking even more beautiful than he remembered. She wore a powder-blue waitress uniform, her black hair pulled back into a clasp at the base of her neck. Pad and pencil in hand, she was taking the order of an elderly couple.

And then, as if sensing him, she looked up. Their eyes met, and time itself stopped.

The next thing he knew, she was flying out the door, skidding to a stop less than a foot away.

“Jack? Is it really you? Or am I dreaming again?”

“It’s not a dream.”

And then, just like he remembered, she launched herself into his arms. He tried to brace himself, but his leg gave out and he lost his balance. Grabbing her around the waist, he just went with it, falling backward with her on top of him. He never felt the impact; all his could feel was the warm, fragrant flesh of his croie.

She kissed him, long and hard, and Jack was certain he’d died and gone to heaven.

“I missed you so much,” she whispered.

“I missed you, too.”

He looked up into her face, her beautiful, perfect face, and saw the crystal droplets on her lashes. With the snow falling softly, the glow of the lamplight behind her, he was even more certain he was in heaven, because she looked exactly like an angel.

“Oi! Lass, what in name of—”

Conlan O’Leary’s deep voice boomed out from the front of the diner, where two dozen or so patrons were peeled to windows, watching the scene with great interest. “Jack? Jack Callaghan, is that you lad? Come on inside then, before ye both catch yer death.”

Kathleen leaned down and kissed him again (thank God!). She didn’t seem in any hurry to move. He wasn’t, either, but it was snowing and she was in just that little waitress uniform.

“Guess we should go in.”

“Guess we should,” she agreed, but made no attempt to move until he put his big hands around her waist and lifted. She was every bit as soft as he remembered.

She laced her fingers with his, and his heart soared. It was a good thing, because now that he’d seen her, he was quite sure he was never going to let her go again.

“Welcome back, son,” Conlan said, clasping him on the shoulder. “Come, sit. We’ll get ye something te eat.”

Food? Who could think about food? His thoughts must have shown clearly on his face, because Conlan gave a knowing chuckle. “Aye, I ken ye have some catching up te do, but ye can do so with something hot in yer belly.”

They moved to the round booth in the back corner, the most secluded table in the place. “Katie-belle, ye are officially off-duty. I’ll get ye both some coffee. And remember,” the older man said with a wink and twinkle in his eye, “this is a family place.”

Kathleen blushed as they slid in next to each other, but she kept her hand in his. “I knew you would keep your promise,” she murmured.

It was a heady feeling to know someone believed in him so absolutely. There were times when even he had his doubts, not for lack of effort, but because of circumstances beyond his control. And in that moment, he swore to never, ever willingly let this amazing woman down.

“I wouldn’t have made it without you,” he replied truthfully. “Knowing you were waiting...”

“Always,” she whispered.

Conlan brought them coffee, soup, and sandwiches. “It’s good to have you home, Jack.”

“It’s good to be home, Mr. O’Leary.”

“Now maybe my daughter will start smiling again, eh?”

“I’ll do my best, sir. Speaking of, might I have a word?”

The old man’s eyes lightened. “Aye.”

“Kathleen, would you excuse us for a moment?” She didn’t want to release his hand, but he brought hers up to his lips and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Just a moment, I promise.”

She nodded. “I should go freshen up a little anyway.”

Jack didn’t think so. She looked beautiful. Had this not been so important, he wouldn’t have given her the chance. He couldn’t help but watch as she walked away, the slight sway of her hips, the swing of her ponytail, resurrecting long-dormant sensations. Only when she disappeared behind the double doors did he turn to her father.

“Sir, I’d like to marry your daughter.”

“Ye don’t beat around the bush, do you, lad?”

“No, sir. I love Kathleen, and I don’t want to waste another minute.”

Conlan studied him, then nodded. “Aye. Ye are a good man. If she’ll have ye, I’ve no objections.”

Relief washed over him. He liked the old man, and wanted his blessing, but in truth, nothing would have stopped him. “Thank you, sir.”

“Will ye be proposing then?”

“Aye.” Jack pulled out the small box he’d purchased years earlier on his last visit home. The one he’d hidden in his closet. Thankfully, it didn’t appear that Kathleen had discovered his secret hiding place.