Chapter Thirty-Four

 

Aubrey admitted the truth graciously, but it didn't stop the anxious feeling and the pounding of her heart. She didn't know if she believed Mr. O'Grady's magic box brought him to her. All she knew was that she loved him, and if last night was any indication of how he felt, he loved her too.

"Are you still there?"

Loretta's voice from her phone speaker snapped her back to the present. "I'm here, sorry."

"I have to tell you I was surprised you put the article together so fast. You've outdone yourself." Disbelief crept into her chuckle. "I thought perhaps you were too distracted by Ian and his fabulous kisses, but I see he's the muse you needed to really shine."

Aubrey's lips curved. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Oh, I do." Aubrey heard the rap tap-tap sound and could imagine Loretta tapping her pencil against the desk as her thoughts formed for the onslaught of questions.

"You mentioned Nelson showed up." Loretta paused, waiting for her to say something about it. When she didn't, she spoke again. "Must have been interesting with Ian there, too. Not to mention crowded," she murmured under her breath, but Aubrey heard her.

She knew Loretta's questioning was because she cared about her and didn't take offense. "Nelson's on his way home."

"Really? So that means—"

She didn't let Loretta finish. "I got a hold of Clarity Shaw. She should be calling you in the next few days."

"Clarity Shaw? Why—oh my God, you dog, you're staying in California, aren't you?"

"I need a few days off, is what I'm saying, and we need another reporter for the magazine anyway. We've put it off too long as it is." She held the phone away from her ear when Loretta squealed in delight.

"Honey, you take a few weeks if you have to. It's not every day a soul mate walks into a girl's life. Or should I say walks back in."

Aubrey chuckled. "Thanks, Loretta. I'll keep you posted."

"Oh, you better. Go get him, girl!"

Aubrey's grin widened as she said good-bye and rang off. She walked through the inn's lobby and outside to the patio area in the back where Mr. O'Grady assured her Ian would be.

She scanned the open area, her gaze landing on Ian who had yet to see her. She watched him for a moment, admiring how his muscles moved beneath the dark fabric of his T-shirt, and how his hair lifted with the whisper of the breeze ruffling through it. Her breath caught on a surge of yearning so intense it felt like pain. She knew in that split second, if there had been any doubts left, they'd flittered away with the wind. She'd made the right decision. Ian told her he wanted her, had always wanted her. Well, the truth was she wanted him as well.

He must have sensed her staring at him. He put down the rosebush he was about to plant and turned around, his gaze locking with hers.

Her feet took the steps separating them. She read the surprise on his face as he stared at her in disbelief. "Hello, Ian."

He didn't appear to know what to say. Then she realized he knew she'd checked out of the inn early this morning.

"I... I thought you left," he said confirming her thoughts.

"Only to drop Nelson off at the airport."

"Oh." He removed his gloves and stuffed them in his back pocket. "Why did you come back, Aubrey?" The dark center of his eyes dilated until she thought she would melt within their depths. She was sure he knew, or at least suspected, why she was here, but he wanted her to say it. She couldn't blame him.

"Remember I told you I'd placed my wish in the magic box?"

He nodded. "If I recall correctly, you told me you wished for Nelson."

"Well…not exactly. I didn't place his name in the box. I wished for my soul mate." Her gaze held his and she knew when her words sunk in. "It doesn't mean I believe in all that faery nonsense, but I can't ignore what I feel for you."

He nodded accepting her words without judgment. "We were young when we fell in love the first time," he reminded her.

"I know. How about we see what happens now that we're adults?"

He gave her a long searching look before he nodded. "I thought you'd never ask." His lips curved. As always, his grin, both boyish and roguish, warmed her heart. "Come here." Before she could move, he took matters into his own hands. He pulled her to him, lifted her, and swung her around, before he let her body slide down his. He was about to kiss her, but she placed the palm of her hand on his chest, to halt his advances.

"I'm curious. You believe in the magic box. Why is it you never made a wish yourself?"

"I did."

Her eyebrows rose. "You never told me."

He stared at her in surprise then lifted one shoulder in a shrug, intent on telling her now. "I wished for my soul mate before I went off to Ireland. I did find her, but I was foolish enough to let her go."

She knew what his words meant, but she couldn't believe it. "You did not."

He gave her a sheepish grin. "I'm afraid I did. I didn't believe my wish had been granted until I met you. Then it all made sense."

She lifted one brow. "What exactly?"

"The day I made the wish, my parents surprised me with a ticket to Ireland, a birthday gift. They said I'd find magic there and they were right, I did."

She let the significance of his words sink in. I want you. I've always wanted you, Ian had told her. "The faeries should have warned you that once you found your soul mate, you shouldn't let her go."

He chuckled as his hand brushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "Believe me, I've learned my lesson and won't be lettin' her go a second time." His imitation of an Irish brogue made her smile. Then his eyes turned a shade darker and his mouth curved as he covered her lips.

Bells tinkled, the sound whispering like an old melody. Aubrey pulled her lips free from Ian's, meeting his gaze. "Did you hear that?"

Ian grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. "Not to fear, lass. 'Tis only fitting, the faeries give two soul mates their blessing of approval."

Aubrey sighed as Ian reclaimed her lips in a soft sweet kiss laden with unspoken promises. She had a hunch the true magic was yet to come.

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