Chapter Thirty-One

 

Aubrey needed to finish the article, but how could she write when Ian had left her with a kiss that had her questioning her relationship with Nelson all over again? It wasn't supposed to happen this way. She came downstairs to tell Ian she belonged with Nelson, that he was her soul mate. She couldn't even look Nelson in the eye when she went back upstairs to retrieve her laptop—and her excuse to go back downstairs again sounded lame to her own ears.

God, she could still see the smoldering flame in Ian's eyes when he leaned down to kiss her. His actions had startled her, but before she could say anything, stop him, he covered her mouth, smothering her words with his caress. Her trembling limbs clung to him as she savored his touch, almost unbearable in its tenderness—like a silent plea singing through her veins. She forgot everything—Nelson, soul mates, and faeries granting wishes. She gave into the caress, but then he let her go, taking his warmth with him. The world seemed to spin on its axis. Before she managed to find her bearings, Ian had already walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her regrets.

She stretched her legs out in front of her and stared at the Celtic carved box resting in the curio cabinet. "It's just a box!" she spat, angry with herself for being swept away by the legend.

"You don't believe that, now do you, Miss Jules?"

Aubrey turned in her seat to see Mr. O'Grady walking toward her with a tray. "I thought you'd be needing a spot of tea about now."

"That would be wonderful, thank you." The old man was a Godsend.

Mr. O'Grady did the honors of pouring. She drank deeply, savoring the rich aroma of spices.

"Are you having a wee bit of trouble with your muse?" He nodded toward the blank screen on her laptop.

She sighed. "You could say that."

He sat down on the chair beside her. "Spill it then. I have a good ear, you know."

She believed it. Mr. O'Grady, Ian's grandfather was a good man with his good humor and the ability to make a person feel comfortable enough to reveal secrets. Maybe it would do her good to talk to someone and try to make sense of all this. "I don't know what to believe anymore. You convinced me to wish for my soul mate and…" She shrugged.

"I see. You be wondering who the soul mate may be. Is it your dashing young love from the past, or the sophisticated young gentleman who showed up today?"

Her gaze riveted to his, meeting his Atlantic blue eyes, eyes of wisdom. Without her telling him, he knew her dilemma. She nodded and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I spent three unforgettable weeks with Ian ten years ago. I believed I would never see him again, but here he is and the last few days have…well, they've made me remember how I felt about him." She looked at Mr. O'Grady. "I loved him once."

He nodded. "I figured as much."

She inhaled deeply and let out her breath again, her gaze mesmerized by the warm spiced liquid in her cup. "Nelson and I have been a couple for almost three years. That's a long time. We're committed to each other."

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

She met his gaze and lifted her chin. "You believe in the magic box and Nelson showed up here. Being spontaneous isn't something Nelson has ever done. Wouldn't you say it was a good sign the faeries sent him?"

"Do you love this man, then?"

"I…" Do I? Do I love Nelson? She was comfortable with him. They were compatible. Did she still love Ian? Ten years ago, she would have said yes in a heartbeat, but she was a different person now. She'd grown up, and so had he. "My mind says I shouldn't throw away the time I've invested with Nelson."

"What does your heart tell you?" She looked at Mr. O'Grady with his smiling eyes of blue. "I'd have to be blind not to see how you and Ian are mad for each other." He placed a weathered hand on hers. "I knew Ian pined for someone, but he would never speak of her. A terrible twist o' fate forced him to take on a responsibility that wasn't his own. My dear departed daughter would have been proud of her eldest son. Ian's a good man, Miss Jules—but then you already know that." He left his seat and walked over to the bookcases, pulling a large volume from the shelf. He headed back to her and placed it in front of her. "As promised, this is the book with all the people who made wishes. You should add yours."

Her hand caressed the aged, leathered-bound book before she covered Mr. O'Grady's hand with hers. She looked up at him. "Thank you. Not for the book, but for listening to me. I'll make this right. You have my word."

He sighed, his lips curving in a hint of a smile. "Of course, you will do the right thing. I never doubted you." He patted her hand. "Good night, Miss Jules."

Alone, Aubrey opened the book. She skimmed over the pages deciphering the scrawled handwriting. The yellowed pages were filled with peoples' hopes and dreams. It took her a moment to realize that in one way or the other their wishes had been granted. Sure, it was a leap of faith to believe the faeries had something to do with their happiness, but it would be difficult to prove otherwise.

She flipped the book to the last page where the lines were blank and waiting to be filled in. Her gaze landed on the pen resting on her notebook. Her fingers closed over it, determined to add her wish to the book, too.