anymore. Maybe I needed to go and experience it to realize I didn’t.”
“What do you want then?” Brogan grabbed her hand and tugged her with him to walk around the edge of the pond.
“I want to be here. With you. I want to create art for the people – images that anyone can buy and hang in their home. Work that will bring a smile to someone’s heart.”
“You can do that here.”
“I can. I have. I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy it. It’s not losing my career, it’s just shifting the focus.”
“You’re brilliant, Kira. Anything you focus on will be a success, I’m sure of it.”
“Brogan… I have to show you something.” Kira stopped him and turned him to her. “And I need to tell you how sorry I am. I didn’t know he’d be on the tour, and I meant to tell you as soon as I found out but the stage manager interrupted me and then I was on duty and –”
Brogan just looked down at her patiently.
“Jax’s band was opening for Tainted Roots. I spoke with him last night at the club after the show. Well, someone took a picture and then the blogs implied we were back together.” Kira pulled her phone from her pocket with the intention to show him.
“I know. I saw.”
“Wait… what? You saw the photo?”
“Of course. A few people sent it to me.”
“And… you’re not mad at me?”
“Did you do anything I should be mad about?” Brogan regarded her, his eyes clear.
“No, of course not. I would never. In fact, it was kind of nice seeing him, because I realized that I don’t resent him anymore. He’s sort of like a dopey puppy you tolerate.”
“I told you I trusted you, did I not? And how important honesty was to me?”
“You have, yes.”
“You’ve given me no reason not to believe your word, Kira. I didn’t think for a minute you were out hooking up with Jax last night.”
“Really? I was so worried that this photo would hurt you.” Tears sprang to Kira’s eyes, and Brogan reached out and brushed one away with his finger. “I would hate for you to feel like you weren’t important to me.”
“I know I can trust you, Kira. And I hope you know you can trust me. There are going to be times when we travel or are apart. I don’t want to think twice or worry about what the other person is doing. I wouldn’t be able to be in a relationship with you if I thought you were capable of doing something like that.”
“Oh, Brogan, you really are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Kira collapsed against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her ear to his chest. The tension of the day eased from her shoulders as his arms came around her.
“Now, I have a surprise for you.”
“You do? Brogan, why didn’t you answer your phone then? I’ve been calling you all day. I was convinced you were avoiding me.”
“Ach, that silly phone. I forgot it at the cottage.” Brogan shrugged, looking sheepish. “Come on. Look.”
“You have the new fortress up!” Kira exclaimed.
“I do. But that’s not what I want you to look at. Look behind it. On land, in the brush under the wood.”
Kira crouched next to Brogan and peered inside.
“She had her babies!”
“Two of them. That’s where I was all day. I didn’t want to bother her, but I wanted to make sure everything was going along smoothly and all.”
Friends. I’m a father.
Fergal popped his head out of the den and looked up at them.
“A fine father you make, Fergal. How is Heather?”
All is well. A boy and a girl.
“Congratulations then. We’ll keep checking on you. If you need anything…”
Fish.
“Of course – fresh fish on the way for you tomorrow, I promise.” Kira turned and squeezed Brogan’s arm. “It’s a boy and a girl. Everyone’s good. Fergal’s a proud papa.”
“Excellent news. I say this calls for a celebration. May I invite you back to my cottage and have my way with you?”
“I’d love nothing more. I didn’t even bring my camera with me,” Kira said with a laugh as they began hiking back up toward the cottage. “I was hurrying so fast, I left it in the car. I never do that.”
“You were really worried, weren’t you?”
“You’ve changed my life, Brogan. I didn’t see how it would work at first, but now it all makes perfect sense. You’re the one I’ve been waiting for.”
“I’m glad to