Neither rod moved, both held firm, straight out in front. O’Malley was done playing with them, even with Shay’s threat to call her grandmother. Colin relaxed his grip on the dowsing rods and rolled his shoulders and head to loosen up the muscles.
“I think that’s all we’re going to get tonight. Hate to say it, but I think you and your Gram are overdue for a long conversation. Ow!”
Colin rubbed the back of his head and jumped up out of the chair. Holy shit! Did what he think just happen, really happen? If so, did that mean the spirit could read his mind? Holy, holy crap. He needed out of that house so he could think. Quickly he gathered up equipment.
“It’s late and we’ve both got a full schedule tomorrow. Let’s get this wrapped up.”
“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Shay reached out to check his head and he sidestepped her.
“I’m pretty sure he smacked me upside the head.”
Shay dropped down onto the sun-warmed sand and closed her eyes. It’d be so easy to lie back and let the sound of the rolling waves lull her to sleep. Ever since Colin had walked through that door and back into her life, she’d been running on empty, which wasn’t great when you spent your day chasing little kids around. Something had to give or she’d snap.
Only she couldn’t blame the last two nights’ loss of shut-eye on the man. Well, maybe a little. Waking up in his arms had sent all sorts of delicious and naughty thoughts through her head. Ones she hadn’t quite been able to dispel. Not to mention just how right it had felt. Her head on his chest, the steady beat of his strong, compassionate heart, and the scent that was all Colin, a mix of man and beast. God, how she had missed him over the years.
Not just the sexy times too, although none other had ever compared to him. She missed the way he’d made her laugh and how he’d listen with complete rapture on his face to her stories of the kids’ antics from her previous job at a preschool. She missed Sunday breakfast in bed with him, which generally consisted of whatever they could grab because neither had the energy to cook. Long walks on the beaches of Puget Sound, listening to him talk about the animals in his care at the zoo and all the ideas he had to improve their lives. He’d tell her every evening that he’d missed her during the day.
Now if only she could just let go of her worries and jump right in or rather jump him, because he was too much of a gentleman to push her before she was ready.
Then, at least, her body would relax. As for her mind, that might be a lost cause because she really had no idea how to broach the subject of Finn O’Malley with Gram. Nor was she sure she had a right to do so. Her grandmother had loved another before her granddad. Big deal. It was the sixties, the time of free love, baby.
But what had happened to Finn? How did Gram end up with Granddad? If Finn’s spirit had hung out all these years, he obviously loved the woman so why hadn’t he married Siobhan Doyle? Or had Finn? And had Granddad known about the two of them?
It was Gram’s story to tell or not, which didn’t stop her brain from burning with questions. Like why not tell the family who the spirit really was after all these years?
Shay clenched two handfuls of sand and threw them in the air. Much better than screaming, because there were inn guests not far down the beach and walking around the grounds. No need to scare off the paying guests.
This was one of those moments where she really missed her bestie, who was currently in Kenya with Doctors Without Borders saving countless lives. She could go to Lydia with anything, even a grandmother with a ghost, and never be judged. Plus, Lyd had been there in the “before/during/after” Colin years and would understand the confusion and sexual frustration Shay was going through now.
“Hey there, girlfriend.” Ava was a lot like Lydia. Outgoing, fun, and completely loyal to those she loved. Shay smiled as Ava planted herself in the sand next to her. “So how was my Mini-Me today?”
“Mia was fabulous, very excited to see Stephen when her dad picked her up today.”
“Yeah?” Ava’s eyes lit up. “Those two kids totally get each other and she’s really missed him this week when he went to visit with his mom.”
Shay dug her toes into the sand seeking warmth as the cooling night air blew. “Hey, I talked with Dana today and we’re going to arrange a little field trip next week for the staff’s kids to visit the local goat farm. Think Stephen would want to join us?”
“Are you kidding? Get it? Kidding?” Ava nudged her shoulder with her own. “Stephen digs anything if he’s learning something new. So why are you sitting out here all alone? And boy do you look—”
“Exhausted?” Shay supplied for her.
“I was going for crud this time.” She laughed. “Tall, dark and dreamy still invading your dreams?”
“That and more.”
“Oooh. Well, then it’s a good kind of crud. Right?”
“Wrong. While he’s invaded my life, he hasn’t invaded my. . .personal space.”
They both laughed.
“So, invade his,” Ava suggested and as far as suggestions went, it wasn’t half bad.
Shay played with the sand, digging her toes in further, and watched the waves for a few moments while she gathered her thoughts. Ava had said something about her grandmother that made Shay feel like she might be a kindred spirit.
“Can I ask you something kind of personal?” At Ava’s nod, Shay continued. “Have you ever had someone close to you keep a secret from you?”
“Hon, everyone has secrets. I’m pretty sure even Mother Theresa had secrets. Usually the person keeping the secret has what they think is a good reason for doing so, even when sharing it might ease their burden. Trust me, I know first-hand.”
“If you know their secret, do you confront them?” Shay whispered.
Trust her.
Shay’s head shot up and she looked around. There was that voice again. Was Finn O’Malley out here on the beach with her? And whom did he mean, Ava or Gram?
Ava hadn’t seemed to notice the strange voice or Shay’s reaction as she stared off, looking at the horizon. “I kept a secret from my grandmother. I went behind her back to get her help, because I knew she wouldn’t do it on her own. She was mad, but more disappointed than anything.”
“Was it worth it?” Shay asked, curious about the woman who held stock in signs from the universe.
“I got my second chance with Cory, but it was too late for Grandma. She’d say it was worth it though. I’m happy and that’s all she’s ever wanted.”
“She sounds like an amazing woman. And thanks.”
“I’m not sure I was exactly helpful, but you’re welcome. So, do you and. . .” She hesitated, looking at Shay to fill in the blank.
“Colin?”
“Hmm, he looked like a Colin. You know, sort of British. He isn’t, is he?” At Shay’s shake of her head, Ava’s shoulders slumped for a minute before perking back up. “Probably a good thing. Those accents tend to melt panties. Anyway, do you two have plans tonight?”
“Nope, was just going to hang out in my cottage and maybe catch up on some sleep.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “What a waste. Come with me. You can sleep when you’re dead. What you need right now is a night out with girlfriends.” She jumped up and brushed the sand off her gauzy skirt.