Celtic Knot Read online

  On the verge of saying she didn’t mean Beth, Lily walked out of the bedroom and saw Bella had jumped up beside Ian and was caught in the throes of bliss as he scratched her under her chin. Bella seems to like him, and he apparently likes her. He passes the cat test with flying colors, she thought. Ian One, Lucas Zero.

  She picked up her clutch purse and he stood in response. “You look very different,” she commented. In dark gray slacks, a winter-white oxford shirt unbuttoned at the throat, leather loafers and a two button blazer, he looked as if he might have just walked off the cover of GQ magazine. His long curls were tamed back into a neat ponytail.

  “You look rather different yourself. The black curls are very pretty on you, but your natural blond hair is…stunning–” He stopped suddenly. “Are we ready? I made reservations for seven thirty.”

  “Absolutely.” She smiled. At the sudden clatter behind them, Lily spun to see Bella trying to blend into the bookcase and seated on the spot previously occupied by the now missing picture of Lucas. The cat blinked owlishly at her. “You’ve made your point, Bella.” Lily laughed then cringed when she realized she had spoken out loud.

  “Her…point?” Ian asked.

  “Nothing,” she said, improvising quickly. “Bella was just giving her opinion on…ah…her…oh, seven thirty you said? We should probably go.”

  Though still warm and humid in the early Florida evening, a constant light breeze kept the oppressive heat at bay. Down in the parking lot, Ian pressed the remote in his pocket.

  When Lily caught sight of the sleek black German coupe she gasped. “This is your car?”

  He opened the door for her and said “It is. I’ve had it on order; just came in this week. You’ll be the first to ride in it,” he said. He turned the key and the quiet engine purred to life. Lily inhaled deeply, taking in the luxurious new car smell and petting the supple leather seats.

  Ian drove unhurriedly toward the restaurant and she found herself becoming more comfortable and relaxed. “I’m an insurance agent at my day job. We haven’t insured many of these yet,” she said, openly admiring the interior and sneaking peeks at his profile.

  “It’s a new model here in the States, I’m told. I had a similar one in London,” he said.

  Lily frowned in confusion. “Funny, you don’t quite sound English to me.”

  His laughter was intoxicating. “That’s because I’m Irish, darlin’, but I lived in London before moving here. My home’s in County Kilkenny, to be specific. Not too far from Dublin,” he said. “On the other hand, you and your enchanting accent have to be from the Southern states.”

  “Yes,” she said proudly. “One of the very few people born and raised in here in Florida.”

  “It’s a lovely state. Rains a lot during the summer, but I do like the storms,” he said with a grin. Arriving at the restaurant minutes later, he hurried around to open the car door for Lily, who was charmed by the gallant gesture. On impulse, she took his arm as they walked in.

  “Your table is ready, Mr. Kelly,” the maitre d’ announced, leading them to the quiet, out of the way table she had a sneaking suspicion her date had requested.

  Their waiter appeared to present Ian with the leather bound spirits folder and announce the evening’s specialties. After a glance over the proffered list, Ian asked her, “Do you drink wine?”

  “Yes, but I’m afraid I don’t know very much about choosing a good one,” she said, her cheeks warming.

  Ian nodded and asked the waiter for a moment to look over the menu. When they had both made their entree choices, he selected a full-bodied chardonnay. “I hope you like this one. It should go well with dinner,” he explained.

  The requested wine arrived within moments. Lily watched the little acceptance of the bottle ceremony with no small bit of intimidation. Pushing away the niggling thoughts of insecurity, she smiled at her dining companion as the waiter filled her glass then disappeared After tasting a sip and declaring it delicious, she took a lingering look around. “This is the first time I’ve ever been here. It’s very nice.” She glanced down at the tablecloth, puzzled. “Is this…paper?”

  “It is. The waiter should be along with some crayons in a bit so we can indulge our inner child while we wait for dinner,” he said, a boyish smile crossing his face.

  They made small talk as Lily continued to admire the decor. Spying the restrooms, she saw her chance for a fast status update. “Please excuse me,” she said, “I just need to powder my nose.” She and Ian rose together, then she forced herself to glide rather than run across the dining room. Once inside the ladies room, she sent Beth a text message with blinding speed:

  OMG amazing–details tomorrow

  Beth’s reply came back within seconds.

  You better call or else LOL

  * * * *

  In Lily’s absence, Ian could not stop thinking about her. She was so very lovely, but there was something else too. What was it? Intuition told him he’d have to go slow; he didn’t want to scare her off.’ The first order of business would be to figure out how to get control over his rebellious body, which was responding immediately to even her most incidental touch.

  When Lily returned, her surprise was apparent to see he hadn’t been kidding. Ian leaned over the top of the table, hard at work with the aforementioned crayons. He stood when she approached, stepping around the table to hold her chair for her. “Oh, that’s beautiful,” she exclaimed at the exquisite bouquet of flowers he had drawn in the center of the table.

  “Thank you,” he said with a modest smile.

  “I mean it. You’ve got quite a gift,” she insisted. “Have you ever thought about going pro?”

  He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’m an artist. It’s what I do. I paint the murals for the Castle. I was up on the scaffolding and saw you walking up to the office with the red-headed lady. I had to stop and go ask Dan who you were. When I saw you at the tent in your black wig I wasn’t sure it was really you until I saw your eyebrows.”

  “That was you?” Lily asked “I remember you tipped your hat at me. I thought it was most chivalrous.” She gave a blissful sigh.

  He smiled, pleased at her response. “You mustn’t say things like that, milady. ’Twill only encourage me.”

  They stared at each other for a long moment but the spell was broken when their dinner arrived. Slicing into her chicken marsala Lily asked, “How long have you worked for the Castle? Did you meet the owners in London?”

  Ian was momentarily puzzled then with a big smile of understanding answered, “Nepotism is alive and well at the Castle, I’m afraid. Meg Wilde is my sister.”

  “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Meghan yet,” she explained. “I’ve only met Dan.”

  Ian deftly reduced his bacon wrapped filet to bite-sized pieces and wolfed down two in rapid succession. “Dan and I have been friends since we were small. I introduced him to my sister. Don’t think he’s ever forgiven me.” He chuckled. “Do you have brothers or sisters?”

  Lily shook her head. “I’m an only child.”

  “I’ve got siblings to spare, so if you’re needing any, I’ll be delighted to loan them out.” Ian grinned. “Two brothers and two sisters. I’m right in the middle, and Megs is two years older than me. When’s your birthday?”

  “The end of June. I just turned twenty-three. And you?”

  Ian did a quick mental inventory. She was a Cancer, water sign, ruled by the Moon, strong, independent. A beautiful Queen of Cups…. “I’ll be twenty-five on the thirty-first of this month.”

  Lily’s breath caught in her throat. “On Halloween? Then you’re a Scorpio. In the tarot court, you’d be the King of Cups.”

  While they talked, he noticed their hands were moving closer and closer until they finally touched. The spark was tangible. Taking her hand, he gently massaged it with his fingers and when the conversation lulled, he could do nothing but gaze in her eyes. Lily was the first to look away, glancing around at the other t
ables. “We’re the only ones in here now. Everyone else is gone,” she said.

  “I don’t remember there being anyone else in here all night,” he replied, “but you’re right. The hour is late, and I believe you are working in the morning.” He stood and offered his arm. “Would that this night could last longer, milady, but reality doth intrude most grievously.”

  ****

  The ride to her apartment seemed to take just a few moments, and before she knew it they were in her parking lot. Offering his arm, Ian escorted her up the stairs to her door. “I had a wonderful time,” he said. “May I call you again soon?”

  “I had a lovely evening too, thank you,” Lily nodded her assent and smiled. When they reached her door, she hesitated only a moment. “Would you like to come in? I could make coffee.”

  Ian wavered, but shook his head. “I would love to, but this isn’t the night,” he said. “I will take you up on your inviting offer another time and that, milady, is a promise.”

  She gave him a tentative, uncertain smile. When he stepped closer she closed her eyes and tilted her head up in anticipation. It took her by surprise to feel strong hands cup her face, his lips brushing her cheek. His warmth reached out to envelope her and something deep inside her, tiny and buried, came alive with his touch.

  When he released her, she stood thunderstruck by the whirlwind of new emotions. It took three shaking attempts to fit the key into the knob, but on the last attempt managed to get the door open. “Good night, and thank you again,” she said, her voice quavering.

  Ian placed his hand over his heart and inclined his head. “You are most welcome. Sweet dreams, milady.”

  She closed the door behind her, leaning against it to catch her breath. He only kissed me on the cheek, and Claims would write me off as a total loss. I’m not going to survive one full on the lips. Lost in that enticing thought, she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard his quiet voice through the door.

  “You haven’t locked it.”

  She turned the key in the deadbolt with a firm snick and heard him say “Thank you. Good night.”

  By the time she got to the bedroom, he was standing next to his car gazing up at her window. Smiling, she raised her hand to wave and he tipped an imaginary cap before getting into his car and speeding off into the night.

  6

  Beth didn’t wait for the phone call the following morning. She showed up bright and early on Lily’s doorstep. The girls took their coffee to the bedroom and Beth sprawled across the bed while Lily dressed for work. “So start at the very beginning,” she ordered, taking a long sip.

  “I swear upon my life I will tell you everything tonight,” Lily said, rifling through the dresses in the small walk in closet.

  “Bottom line…are you going out with him again?” Beth asked.

  “I hope so. He asked if I would, and I said yes.” Like a runaway black rocket Bella streaked in and made straight for the folding mirrored doors. With a push of her paw she closed the closet door, plunging Lily into darkness. “Not funny, Bella.”

  Pushing the door open automatically turned the lights back on, but as soon as she returned her attention to picking out a dress, Bella closed her in again.

  “She knows you’re going to see Losers…I mean Lucas.” Beth struggled to maintain a somber tone. “So…have you and Ian picked out names for your kids…uh…made plans for your next date yet?”

  Lily nudged the closet door open again, fixing Bella with a stern warning glare. “He may not even call me again. Guys have been known to do that, you know, tell you they’ll call and then don’t.”

  Beth snorted in a most unladylike fashion. “Oh, please. He’s going to call, and you’re going to go. Better start thinking about how you’re going to break the harsh reality to Lucas, and even more important, what you’re going to wear. I know it’s going to happen. Ees a gypsy thing, you wouldn’t understand,” she intoned in her best Rom accent. As Lily recovered from the subsequent fit of laughter, Beth studied her friend with a keen eye, cradling her mug in her hands. “You liked him,” she said.

  Lily blushed under her scrutiny. “He’s very nice and thoughtful, and really funny. Yes, I liked him. Bella likes him too.”

  “So what does he kiss like?” Beth asked with feigned casualness.

  Lily batted her eyelashes coyly. “I wouldn’t know,” she said.

  Beth rolled her eyes and stood. “Not the answer I was looking for,” she said, glancing up at the clock. “You’re sooo going to be late.” Lily yelped and both girls made a run for the door. “I mean it, all the details later!” Beth yelled after her.

  Without missing a beat, Beth pulled out behind Lily and headed straight for the Castle for a little detective work. “Meg? Are you here?” she called out, walking into the main office.

  “Be right there,” Meghan Wilde answered in her lilting voice from one of the rear offices. She walked in moments later carrying a pile of folders and upon seeing her visitor broke into a big grin. “Beth darlin’, come in. There’s fresh coffee if you’d like and some pastries too, I think, unless Dan ate them all already. Help yourself and I’ll just be a minute.”

  Beth poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down on the couch to wait. Meg placed the folders on Dan’s already cluttered desk in three distinct piles then turned to face her. “What brings you here so bright and early?” she asked.

  “I got some questions for you,” Beth said, her tone serious.

  Meg frowned. “Well, hopefully I got some answers for you. What’s on your mind?”

  Beth got right to the point. “I want to ask you about one of the actors. His name is Ian Kelly.”

  “Watch yourself…that Irish devil can charm the knickers off a nun,” she warned. “He bolted out of here yesterday going on about meeting someone later. I got the distinct impression it was a date, although he didn’t come out and say as much.” She hesitated, her green eyes momentarily unfocused. “It wasn’t with you, though,” she said slowly.

  Beth gave a start at her perceptiveness. “No…with my best friend. I was just wondering what you had on him so I can decide how best to kill him if he hurts her,” she deadpanned.

  Meg burst into convulsive laughter which lasted for several long moments. Wiping away the tears on her cheeks she said, “You do know he’s my little brother, right?”

  “Well, I do now.” Beth fell silent and there was a long, awkward pause as she deliberated on whether or not she still had a job. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean–”

  “That’s all right, dear, I seriously doubt you’re the first woman to threaten to kill him.” Meg giggled and Beth relaxed, the tension easing. “Your friend doesn’t know you’re here,” Meg said, more a statement of fact than a question. She refilled her coffee and after retrieving the plate of sweet rolls, took a seat on the couch. “Ian is one of the good guys most days. We’d love to see him settle down with a good woman, but she’ll have her hands full for sure.” She took a long sip of her coffee and continued. “Let’s see, he doesn’t smoke, doesn’t do drugs, loves kids and animals. He’s moody as all hell sometimes, and he’ll eat you out of house and home if you let him. Stop me when you’ve heard enough.”

  Beth laughed. “I’ll bet he’s got a string–” She stopped, reconsidered the source, and started again. “He just seems like the type of have lots of girlfriends. My friend was pretty swept off her feet by him.”

  “Well, he’s not an angel by any stretch, but he’s behaved himself since he moved here,” Meg said. “Couple of dates here and there, nothing serious. He can be charming when he sets his mind to it, I’ll give him that.”

  Beth helped herself to a cinnamon roll. “So he works here as an actor full time?” she said in between bites.

  Meg smiled. “He wears lots of different hats here. The park guests love him. He’s so authentic-looking in costume. I think it’s all that pretty hair myself. It drives our mother to distraction,” she said, taking a roll for herself as she glanced out
the front window. “He’s been focused on his work. You know he does all the mural designs for…damn it all to hell!” Meg shot to her feet and flung open the front door with a bang. “Renaud, get your feckin’ horse off my street before he leaves something you’ll get dirty shoveling up!” she shouted.

  The dashing blond musketeer jumped the graceful animal over a low cart and rode straight to the front door. “Bonjour, Madame Wilde,” he said, sweeping the plumed hat from his head in a grand gesture. “Would either your esteemed husband or brother be about?”

  “Good morning yourself, and they’re both out golfing, as you would be too if you had answered your phone this morning,” Meg answered with a sweet smile.

  “I was otherwise engaged,” Renaud said, grinning wolfishly. “Please offer them my humble apologies, but in truth they’ll benefit from the practice before playing me again. I’ll catch up with them later. Au revoir.” Waving, he and the horse turned and shot down the street toward the stables with a clatter of horseshoes on the cobblestones.

  “Cheeky Frenchman.” Laughing, Meg closed the door. “Sorry for the interruption,” she said. “Now, where were we?”

  “You had just said your mom doesn’t approve of Ian’s hair,” Beth giggled. “Do your parents live here?”

  “Lord, no. You’ll never get Ma off the island. Our dad passed two years ago. There’s five of us kids altogether, but Ian and I are the only ones here in the States. Any more questions?”

  Beth nodded sagely. “Just one more–what’s wrong with him?”

  Meg gave a hearty laugh. “I’d say his worst fault is a healthy dose of the Kelly temper–just like the storms here. Fierce, but doesn’t last too long. Ma always said it was the wild Celt blood.”

  Beth glanced at the clock and smiled as she stood to leave. “Thanks, Meg. I appreciate the info. I’ll be back later to set the tent up.”

  “Oh, there’s something,” Meg said, snapping her fingers. “Here’s a secret for you, and were you to come straight out and ask him I can promise you he’ll lie his arse off about it. Those pretty cards of yours–I’ve heard you’re very good with them, but I’ll wager he reads them as well as you.”