Saving a Legend(82)

“I don’t think so, Kieran,” she finally whispered back.

“What do you mean?” His words were strained and slow.

“It’s not just about us anymore, Kieran. A lot of people were affected by this. Shea’s been having meltdowns every day. A trip would take hours and I’d have to close the shop, which I can’t afford, or explain everything to Shea and find a babysitter. I can’t leave her right now, not with how tenuous everything is. And on top of all that, I just can’t see you like that. I can’t see you locked up in a cage.”

“I don’t know if I can go an entire month with this between us, flower girl,” he said softly. “I miss you, and I miss Shea.”

Fiona sniffed back tears. “We can talk when you get home, but I’ve got to put her first right now. I have to do what’s best for her. I can’t think about what I want right now.”

Part of her wondered if that was just better for everyone anyway. She’d spent so many nights worried about how he’d handle finding out about her past. If the pain threatening to break her was any indication of how painful a secret past could be, she certainly couldn’t imagine telling him now about hers. And that was the worst part of it—she knew she was a hypocrite. She was upset at him for holding back from her, when she was doing the same to him. At this point, they’d both made such a mess of things that it really seemed easier to cut ties and move on.



Kieran’s voice crackled through the line, pain lacing his words. “Fiona, do you still want me?”

God yes, I want you. I’m falling in love—Fiona’s thoughts came to a screeching halt. She couldn’t possibly be in love with a man who was currently behind bars…could she?

“Kieran,” she finally whimpered, not sure how to answer and definitely not wanting to tell him the thought that had just crossed her mind.

But he wasn’t letting her off the hook, and his voice was so full of pain. “Fiona, do you still want me?”

Fiona held the phone tighter against her ear. “I—I don’t think it matters what I want anymore.” I don’t think it matters that I’m falling in love with you.

“I’m counting the days, Fi,” he said softly, after a few moments of silence passed between them.

“Me, too,” she whispered, almost wishing it wasn’t true.

But it was true, and as she put the receiver back on its holder, a loud sob wracked her body. Leaning back against the wall, she was about to slide down to the floor when she felt several arms encircle her. Casey had her arms tight around Fiona’s upper body, her head resting on her shoulder. Nora had her arms around the both of them, and Clare moved to wrap around all of them. It was an awkwardly large group hug, and it was everything she needed.

Allowing herself to cry for a few more moments, she soaked up the love and affection of her friends and leaned into their embrace. As her sobs lessened, she slowly regained her composure. Her heart ached, and her eyes felt painfully puffy.



“Come upstairs, Fi,” Nora said. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

“We’ll make some tea,” Casey volunteered, and she and Clare both gave her another hug and kiss on the cheek before returning to the kitchen.

Fiona followed Nora upstairs and washed her face in the bathroom sink before plopping down onto her bed. Nora brought her a cool washcloth and lay beside her.

Fiona continued to sniffle as she draped the cloth over her eyes. “He’s such a great person, Nora. This is all such a mess.”

“He has some pretty shitty luck,” Nora said. “I don’t think he should have gone back to prison in the first place.”

“They caught him with a joint in a youth center, Nora. I don’t think there was another option.” Honestly, she didn’t care all that much about the pot. She’d tried it a few times in her teen years, and she didn’t really think it was a huge deal, despite the fact that she definitely didn’t want it—or anyone using it—around Shea. However, his having it did imply some very questionable judgment, and that was the part that threw her—the fact that she didn’t know who this man was she’d fallen in love with so fast. In love? The thought settled in Fiona’s heart once more. Am I in love? She still didn’t know.

Suddenly, Nora let out a big sigh, her hands pushing through her curly blond hair. She made a groaning sound, like she was frustrated, and Fiona frowned at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!” Nora exclaimed, and Fiona’s eyes grew round as she turned to look at her friend, who was lying beside her, staring up at the ceiling.