“What did you do to her?”
Finn looked up from his plate of food at his mother’s table to see McSweeny stomping over to her.
“What did I do to who?”
“That sweet lass of yours.”
“Nothing.” Except I fucked her all hours of the night and early morning.
“Really? I hear all over the village the two of you slept together and now she’s heading back to the States.”
He dropped his fork. “What? She’s going where?”
“Your boy is daft,” he said to Finn’s mother. “Notice how he ignores the sleeping together bit?”
“I’m beginning to think that as well.”
“Guess she got her money and is running home.”
“That’s the other rumor I’m hearing. And you’re wrong. She didn’t suss this man out, he approached her and she agreed to meet him as she didn’t know who he was. Honora said she wasn’t selling.”
“How would she know?”
“Because unlike some hardheaded Irishman I have before me here, she asked Emmie if she was or not. She didn’t assume.”
The pain of betrayal he felt when he overheard them talking about selling the bar had cut him more than he’d believed possible. Sure it was hers and he couldn’t stop her if selling was what she wished to do, but he hoped the place meant more than that to her. That he’d meant more than that to her. However, he’d jumped to a conclusion when he’d heard those words and left, not bothering to clarify or ask her directly. Then he ignored her call.
“How is she getting out of the village?”
“Donnie took her.”
“I’m going to kill him,” he growled, shoving back from the table. “I need your truck McSweeny.”
His grandfather tossed him the keys and Finn snatched them out of the air.
“Don’t wreck it.”
He didn’t answer, for he had to get moving. Running flat out for the old truck, he cranked the engine the moment he got into the seat. Shoving it into gear, he spun out of the driveway, gravel and rocks flying up from the tires.
He knew the nearest station that would get her to the bus if she didn’t wait in Dunphy to catch it, and if Donnie took her, then she wasn’t here. Asking the truck for every bit of speed he could get from it, he tore off down the narrow road.
At the station, he saw Donnie’s car and blocked him in. The man got out.
“What is your problem, Finn?”
“Where is she?”
“Emmie?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, alright. Christ, what’s wrong with you? She’s already on the bus, it left about ten minutes ago.”
“Fuck.” He climbed back in the truck, only to kick the door back open and march to Donnie. “Hands off her Donnie. Emmie is my woman.”
The man chuckled but it fell short when Finn leveled a glare at him.
“Shit, you mean that don’t you?”
“I do. Be her friend, fine, but anything else, get the slightest hope for that out of your head.”
Donnie held up his hands and backed away. “I’m not about to piss you off, Finn. Learned that lesson in school.”
One final glare and he was back in the truck, chasing down a bus. He caught up to it a few towns and villages later. Whipping around it, he gave them enough space to stop and parked the truck in the middle of the road, perpendicular. Tires squealing, the bus shuddered to a stop and he was at the door the second it opened.
“You are out of your mind, son,” the driver yelled at him. “Get that out of the road.”
“Not until I say what I have came to say to a passenger on this bus. Emmie! Emmie where are you?”
“For Christ’s sake, Finn. What did you do? Are you insane?”
He leapt to the top of the steps and relief slammed him when he saw her standing staring up at him. She had gripped the seat before her.
“You can’t leave.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Yes I can. And I am. Why does it matter? You believe the worst of me anyway.”
“I did, I jumped to that conclusion that you were selling Emerald Myst. I’m sorry for that. I should have known you would not sell that place. Your home. Your past, present, and your future.”
He moved down the aisle toward her. The devastation in her gaze tore him apart.
“You don’t know anything. And I’m going home.”
“To what? You’ve been here for four months. What are you going back there for? The ex-boyfriend who cheated on you? The job where the boss made passes at you and you let others take credit for your work?”
Her chin wobbled and he continued toward her.
“You have friends and family here.”
“I have people who don’t like me and don’t believe I can run a bar. Or shouldn’t. I can do that in the States just fine.”
“But you are running a bar, you’re putting Dunphy on the map. You discover new talent by letting up and coming musicians play at the bar. We’re getting the kitchen up and running to be able to expand and turn it into a full restaurant if that’s what you want. These are all your visions.” He took a deep breath. “They are happening because you are implementing them.”
“And it will still run if I’m in the States.”
“By who? Who’s going to run it if you’re not there?”
“You. Isn’t that what you wanted? The place to yourself. You even called it your bar when I first met you.”
“I won’t run it if you’re not there, Emmie.”
“Why not?”
He swallowed, aware of every eye in there on him. It didn’t matter. One thing did and that one thing only. Her. Emerald Donaghue. His Emmie. “Because I’ll follow you to America.”
She pulled back slightly. Some of the women sighed at his words while some of the men nodded.
Her lips pinched before smoothing out. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“What about love does?”
Emmie shook her head. “Don’t say that.”
He stopped before her and tipped her chin up to see her eyes. “Don’t say what? The truth? That I’ve felt this way for months and what we shared last night I don’t want to lose. You go to America, I’ll come with you. I want you, Emerald Donaghue. Whether we’re here in Ireland or somewhere else. It’s you that makes my heart continue to beat.”
“Honey, I’ll take him up on it if you don’t.” The woman’s words got several agreements from others.
Tears glistened in her eyes.
“I’m scared.”
He longed to pull her close and take all that fear from her. “Of what? You moved across the world for an inheritance you knew nothing about. You embarked on a new business adventure. How can loving me scare you?”
“I don’t want to lose you.”
His thumb skimmed along her cheek. “What do you think heading to America is? Getting closer?”
“Protecting my heart.”
Finn cupped her face. “Emmie, I’m already there in your heart. Believe me, you’re already in mine. There is no more protection. We’ve already climbed on that ride, baby. Now we hold on and face the adventures together.”
She nibbled on her lower lip and he kissed her. Unable to wait any longer so he took her mouth in his.
It took a moment for the cheering passengers to penetrate the haze surrounding him. Ever so slowly, he drew back until he could once again see her eyes.
“I love you, Emmie. Stay with me.”
She smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she did so. “I think you’re staying with me.”
His smile mirrored hers. “That works too. Come on, come home with me. I’m sure these people need to get on with their day. However, as I interrupted everything, if you are ever back through Dunphy. Stop by Emerald Myst, the drinks are on me.”
The cacophonous cheers nearly deafened him. Emmie jumped on him, legs around his waist and kissed him once more.
“Do you have any luggage?”
“Nope. Just my carryon right there.”
He turned and carried her off the bus, her bag in his left hand, sending one more apology to the driver.
“Then let’s go home.”