The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next three days passed in relative peace even though she was incredibly busy. Her house was torn up as construction and painting continued, but all was quiet on the stalker front. Her meeting with the mayor had gone much better than she'd anticipated. The man was actually excited about the prospect of a B & B in town to help bring more tourists to the area. The fact that Cyndi's home was a historic one helped tremendously.

The book of fabric swatches arrived and Cyndi quickly made her selections. She placed a huge order by phone and Janine sent the bolts of fabric via courier, knowing that Cyndi was anxious to get started.

She also had a seamstress lined up. She talked to Rebecca Tanner, who'd been too busy to take on the large job of curtains for the entire house, but her daughter, Casey, had agreed. Cyndi was hesitant until mother and daughter came out to the house to meet her.

The serious, green-eyed, black-haired girl immediately impressed Cyndi. Casey was only seventeen, but seemed much older, and was confident she could do the job. Rebecca assured Cyndi that she would be there to help if Casey ran into any problems, which she didn't think the girl would. She'd been sewing for years.

They toured the house, matching fabric swatches with windows, while double-checked measurements and discussed the types of curtains for each room. Casey had taken her own notes, pinning them to the various fabrics.

Cyndi was more than pleased when the girl gave her a quote for the job. It wasn't too low, as one might have expected from a teenager wanting a job. The girl obviously valued her own skills. But neither was it too high. The price agreed upon, the women carried the mounds of fabric to the car.

She and Casey decided that the downstairs drapes would be sewn first, as these would be the first rooms to be done. In fact, with the painting finished in the parlor, all it needed was new drapes and furniture to be complete.

Again, the experience with Rebecca and her daughter went better than she'd expected. Rebecca was reserved at the beginning, letting her know that the only reason she agreed to come was because Shamus had called and asked her to. It seemed that Shamus had done a favor for Rebecca a long time ago and she was very fond of him.

But as the afternoon wore on, Rebecca gradually relaxed. Casey was nothing but charming from the beginning, but then, she wasn't old enough to know anything about Cynthia's father, or his way of getting what he wanted. It was a testament to her mother that the other woman hadn't said anything about her or the James family. Cyndi appreciated that and it made her like and respect Rebecca Tanner.

Today, the men planned to finish painting the foyer. The desk area was ready and Cyndi absolutely loved it. It wasn't large or obtrusive, but made the most of the small alcove it sat in front of. It was perfect for one person and the heavy oak and the trim matched the rest of the room. Shamus had built it himself, and Cyndi could see the quality and care that he'd put into it.

She'd already brought tables and chairs down from the attic. Most of the furniture just needed a good cleaning and waxing. The various chairs needed their fabric changed and she also planned to upholster all the seats for the dining room.

She figured she could tackle the dining room chairs herself. If she ran into problems, she could always ask Shamus for help. She'd never done any upholstery before, but the simple dining chairs didn't look too difficult. She was eager to try her hand at it.

Her plan was to get at it first thing, but one look in the refrigerator during breakfast changed her plans. It was almost bare. There was plenty to eat in the freezer, but there was nothing fresh. She needed milk and fruit and vegetables at the very least.

She'd bought food for one when she'd first arrived, but Shamus had a huge appetite. If he hadn't brought the occasional item home from the store, she'd have had to go before now. As it was, there was no longer any choice. If they wanted to eat, she needed to grocery shop.

Working her way through the refrigerator and the cupboards, she made an extensive list. When she was done, she went to the foyer to find Shamus. He was staining the desk he'd built for her and it looked gorgeous. He looked up from his work and smiled at her.

"It looks amazing."

"I aim to please.” She blushed because he'd said the same thing to her last night, except he'd had his face buried between her thighs at the time.

"I'm going grocery shopping."

"Hang on and I'll go with you."

She shook her head. “There's been nothing for three days now, and besides, I can't live like a prisoner in my own home forever. If I'm afraid to go out into the community by myself, that's what I'll be."

"I don't like it.” He wiped his hands on a rag as he came toward her.

"I'm going straight from here to the grocery store and home again. Nothing is going to happen to me in that length of time. I'll be on the busy streets of Jamesville and in a public store. I'll be fine."

He didn't look convinced.

"You took time off earlier in the week to go to City Hall with me. You're needed here to keep the workers busy.” As if on cue, one of the men stuck his head out of the library and hollered for Shamus.

"I'll be right there,” he called back as he raked his fingers through his hair. “I don't like it."

"I know, but it's something I have to do."

"Just to the grocery store and home."

She bristled at his command until she saw the concern in his eyes. Reaching out, she patted his chest. “Promise. I've got my cell phone in my pocket and I'll lock all my car doors."

"Park right in front of the store.” His scowl was fierce as he pulled her toward him.

"I will.” She knew he was worried, and with good reason, but if she was going to live in this town, she had to start acting like it. The only way to put the past to rest was to start living in the now. People had to get to know her for the person she was, not the person she'd been. The only way for that to happen was for her to actually go out into the community.

"Call me when you get in the store and just before you leave."

She frowned, thinking he was getting a little zealous, but she agreed. “Don't worry.” She kissed his chin and his lips. “I'll be back before you know it."

One of the men hollered for Shamus again and he growled in frustration. “Go.” He dropped another quick kiss on her lips before he headed toward the library. “Oh, and pick up some potato chips for me."

She could see the worry in his eyes even though he was grinning at her to try to put her at ease. “I will."

Grabbing her jacket from the coat rack by the door, she slipped it on and hurried outside, not stopping until she was locked safely inside her car. Mike had returned it as promised, good as new, with all new tires. It started easily and she quickly backed out of the driveway and headed down the road. Within minutes, she was pulling into the supermarket parking lot and luckily found an empty space not ten feet from the door.

Her hands were clenched tight around the wheel and she could feel her blouse sticking to her back beneath her coat. In spite of her bravado with Shamus, she was scared and nervous about being out in the open. Prying her fingers from the steering wheel, she took a deep breath and turned off the ignition. Collecting her purse, she climbed out and locked the door behind her, pocketing her keys.

The automatic doors slid open as she approached. She walked inside and grabbed a cart. Making sure she wasn't blocking anyone, she pulled her cart to one side as she took out her cell phone and pressed the first number on her speed dial.

Shamus answered on the first ring. “Cyndi?"

She laughed. “I'm here and I'm fine.” There was no way she'd tell him about her white knuckles and cold sweat.

"I know you're fine. I just worry."

"Me too,” she added softly. “I'll get potato chips,” she said more briskly. “Anything else?"

"Just you.” His husky voice sent shivers of a different sort down her spine.

"Be home soon.” She ended the call and tucked her phone away. Pulling out her list, she began to shop.

It took her longer than she expected, but she soon had everything she came for and then some. The amount of items in her cart kept growing as she saw foods that Shamus might like. She laughed at herself, but it didn't stop her from adding two thick steaks to the cart. There was a grill out back and she was hoping to talk Shamus into firing it up later tonight. Of course, then she needed steak sauce and mushrooms, as well as a host of other things she hadn't thought to put on her list.

As she wheeled her cart out into the parking lot, she was pleased with her trip. No one had bothered her. Sure, a few folks glared at her and stalked off, but just as many nodded at her. She'd smiled and nodded back. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Her good mood disintegrated when she saw a woman leaning against the cart corral. She hesitated, but then wheeled her cart forward. She'd known it was only a matter of time until she had to face Dani Black.

"I saw you getting checked out inside.” Dani crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought we should talk."

Dani looked good. Obviously marriage to Burke Black agreed with her. Her hair was still long and there were only a few light lines around her eyes. She was wearing jeans and a blue sweater that flattered her coloring. Cyndi tried to think of what to say to her. But really, what did you say to a woman whose relationship you'd tried to sabotage?

"I'm sorry.” The words tumbled from her lips, surprising not only herself, but from the looks of her expression, Dani as well. The other woman seemed taken aback. Cyndi pulled the cart to a stop at the trunk of her car and took a deep breath. She'd already started so she might as well keep going. “I know I can't change what happened all those years ago, but I am truly sorry for any harm I did to you and your family."

Dani's eyes, a carbon copy of Shamus's, narrowed as she straightened away from the cart corral and walked over to stand by Cyndi's car. “That was a long time ago."

"Yes, it was,” she agreed.

"What do you want with Shamus?"

How could she answer this question without upsetting Dani? Cyndi didn't think there was any way to do it. She certainly couldn't tell his sister that she thought he was the hottest man on the face of the planet. No, that wouldn't go over well at all.

"Shamus is a wonderful man. He's kind and thoughtful and extremely intelligent."

"I don't understand you.” Dani canted her head to one side, studying Cyndi.

Slightly uncomfortable with the scrutiny, Cyndi dug her keys out of her pocket, unlocked the trunk, and began to pile the bags of groceries inside. “There's nothing to understand."

"You always had an angle, Cynthia."

She flinched at the sound of the name she'd discarded so many years ago. “Like you said, that was a long time ago. Maybe I've changed. Are you the same person you were all those years ago? Would you let another woman come between you and Burke now like you did then?"

"Of course not,” Dani insisted.

"So you've changed. Can't you give me the same credit?” She finished loading the groceries into the car and shut the trunk. A cart corral sat only a few feet away, so Cyndi wheeled the cart over, pushing it into the metal stall. Dani was still standing in the same spot, watching her.

"I'm not sure I believe that anyone can change that much.” Dani sighed, her fingers twisting in the strap of her purse. “I want to believe.” Cyndi could see the torment in the other woman's eyes. “I don't want Shamus hurt, not any more than he already has been."

Cyndi flinched, the keys gripped so tight in her hand that the metal dug into her palm. “I never wanted anyone hurt. I tried to get Shamus to leave me alone at first, but he's very stubborn. He's also an adult who can make his own decisions. I like him a lot and I want to be with him."

This time it was Dani who flinched away. Cyndi had stopped short of saying that she was in love with Shamus. One step at a time.

They stood there for what seemed like the longest time. Finally, Cyndi decided to make the first move. “Shamus is working out at the house every day if you'd like to stop by and have a look at it."

"You're really turning it into a bed and breakfast?"

Cyndi shrugged. “I really am. I've been working in the hotel business for ten years now."

"It's hard to imagine that place as a B & B.” There was no mistaking Dani's confusion.

"Like I said, times change.” Cyndi strolled to her side of the door and unlocked it. Dani followed close behind.

"I'm still not sure I like the idea of Shamus being involved with you."

Cyndi yanked open her door and tossed her purse onto the passenger seat. “I'm sorry about that, but the only opinion that matters to me is Shamus'."

A breeze came up and Cyndi noticed a piece of paper flapping against the windshield. Looked like someone had stuffed a flyer or something underneath her wiper blade.

Reaching over, she ripped the piece of paper out from where it was wedged and glanced down at it. She could hear Dani's voice in the background, but it gradually faded as all her attention focused on the paper in her hands. It wasn't a store flyer. The huge block letters, cut from newspaper print and pasted onto the plain white paper were all too familiar.

Cyndi felt the world around her recede as the words blurred in front of her. GO HOME, it said, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.

"Cynthia?” She jumped when she felt a hand on her arm, falling back and striking her elbow against the car frame. Dani was staring at her with concern. For a moment, Cyndi thought she must be hallucinating. “Cyndi?” the other woman asked again, worry etched on her face.

"Did you see anyone around my car?"

Dani pulled her hand away, a frown forming. “No. What's going on?"

Reaching into her car, Cyndi grabbed her purse and dug out her cell phone, all the while scanning the parking lot. It wasn't overly busy, but there were people coming and going. Dialing quickly, she waited until the phone was answered. “I need to speak with the sheriff.” She paused. “Tell him it's Cyndi Marks."

She could feel Dani's confusion, but didn't even spare the other woman a glance. She felt so cold inside. She couldn't fight this unreasonable kind of hatred. It seemed to take forever for the sheriff to pick up the line. As succinctly as she could, she told him where she was and what she'd found. He'd told her to stay put and that he had men on the way.

She hung up and hit her speed dial. This time Shamus picked up on the second ring. “On your way home?"

"Not yet.” Her voice quavered in spite of her best intentions.

"What's wrong?” She could hear him moving in the background.

"I got another note. It was tucked against my windshield when I got out of the store."

"Get in the car and come home."

"I can't.” She half turned her body away from Dani to try to keep her conversation private. “Patrick said to wait. He's on his way and there's a sheriff's cruiser pulling in now."

"I'm on my way."

"You don't have to come. I can deal with this.” She was steadier now that the authorities were here. She recognized the two men who climbed out of the car and came toward her and Dani.

"I'm on my way,” he reiterated.

"Okay. I've got to go.” She ended the call and tucked her purse away as the officers came toward her.

Shamus's heart was racing as he drove, barely managing to keep the truck at the speed limit. He'd known something like this could happen if she went out alone. That's why he'd been running all the errands or going with her.

He should never have given into her pleas, should have demanded that she wait until he could go with her. “Yeah, like that would work,” he muttered under his breath. Cyndi was a very independent woman, used to running her own life. She wouldn't take kindly to him telling her what to do.

His hands tightened around the steering wheel as he maneuvered the streets, heading toward the grocery store at the other end of town. Logically, he knew she would be safe with uniformed deputies surrounding her. But he knew he wouldn't rest easy until he saw her for himself.

The store came into sight and he could see several official vehicles parked in one area, so that's where he headed. He parked his truck and was out in a flash, striding across the blacktop. Because he was tall, he saw her immediately. Her face was impassive as she answered questions, but he could see the tension there.

As if she felt his presence, her head swung around and her eyes met his. He saw the relief in them and knew it mirrored his own. He scanned the crowd and noticed Patrick stop talking when he realized Cyndi was no longer listening to him. Their gazes met and Patrick nodded at him. Shamus inclined his head and kept walking, his long legs eating up the distance.

Reaching out, he pulled Cyndi into his arms, wrapping them tight around her. She was safe.

"I'm okay.” Her voice was slightly muffled against his shirt, but he heard her all the same.

Over the top of Cyndi's head, he saw his sister watching him. What was she doing here? He'd find out, but right now, all that mattered was Cyndi and getting her somewhere less open.

"We're going home.” He met his brother's gaze.

Patrick rubbed his hand over his jaw and sighed. “Okay. That might be for the best. I think we've got everything we need for now.” He flicked his gaze over Cyndi. “I'll be by later."

He started to herd her toward his truck, but she dug in her heels. “Shamus, I can't leave my car here. I've got a trunk full of groceries."

Shamus raked his fingers through his hair. “I'll come back and get your car later."

Cyndi frowned up at him. “There's no reason I can't drive it home now. You can follow right behind me.” She laid her hand on his chest, directly over his heart. “I'll be fine,” she whispered so no one else could hear.

Glancing around, Shamus realized that everyone was studiously looking everywhere else but at him. That is, everyone except his brother and sister who were watching him and Cyndi with great interest.

"Fine.” He knew he was acting like a jerk, but he really wanted to toss Cyndi over his shoulder, stuff her into his truck, and take her somewhere away from this town. Somewhere she'd be safe.

He kept his arm wrapped around her as he guided Cyndi to her car and settled her inside. “Wait for me.” He shut her door and faced his siblings. “I want a full report as soon as possible,” he informed his brother.

He could tell that Patrick was torn between being amused at Shamus's highhandedness and being angry. Fortunately, humor won out. “No problem. As soon as I finish here, I'll let you know. And Cyndi can't take the car yet. We haven't finished going over it."

Relief filled Shamus as he opened Cyndi's door again. She stared up at him, confusion on her face. “Patrick said that you can't take the car yet. They're not finished with it."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should have thought of that."

Patrick surprised him by reaching out and gently touching Cyndi's shoulder as she climbed back out of her car. “It's not surprising you're rattled. It's been a hell of a week or so for you."

"The groceries. Can I get the groceries from the trunk? I have perishables in there."

"I'll bring the truck over and transfer them,” Shamus said when Patrick nodded. As he walked back to his truck, his sister fell into step beside him. “Should I ask what you're doing here?"

"I came to get groceries, and when I saw her car, I stayed to talk to Cynthia.” Dani reached out and placed her hand on his arm.

He stopped beside his truck. “Her name is Cyndi."

"Shamus,” Dani began tentatively.

"No.” He pulled open his truck door as he turned to face his sister. “I don't have time to get into this right now. Cyndi's had a shock and it probably isn't safe for her to be this exposed. Someone wants to drive her away from Jamesville. She's already been physically hurt once, and I don't plan on letting that happen again."

He climbed into the driver's seat, but didn't close the door yet. “Look, if you want to talk later, call me or come out to Cyndi's place."

"She invited me to stop by.” He could sense his sister's bewilderment.

"I keep telling you that Cyndi is a good person. When will you believe me?” His gaze went back to her, and he was satisfied that Patrick was keeping her close. “She could be making a hell of a lot of trouble if she wanted to, demanding I not see any of you. But instead, all she does is worry about my relationship with my family. Think about that."

Dani looked so upset. He reached out and gave her a brief hug. “Everything will work out. Don't worry."

Her arms tightened around him. “Be careful."

"I will.” He released her and she stepped back.

"Love you."

"I love you too, sis.” He closed the door and drove over to park beside Cyndi's car. It only took him two minutes to transfer the groceries and get Cyndi settled into the passenger seat beside him.

As he pulled out of the lot, he glanced in the rearview mirror. Patrick had his arm wrapped around Dani as they both watched his truck until it disappeared from sight.