N. Walters: The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke

Shamus chuckled. “Move over."

"What?” She eased to one side as he sat on the bed and lowered his large frame down beside her.

"Now I'm in bed.” He pulled up the guardrail behind him.

"The nurses won't let you stay.” Even as she said it, she scooted closer, gritting her teeth against the pain that shot down her side. She could feel the heat of his body and needed to get as close as possible.

"I know, but I needed to be here with you. To touch you."

"We're quite a pair.” She didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

He laid his arm carefully around her waist as he leaned in to kiss her. His lips were soft and gentle against hers and she sighed.

"I love you,” he whispered. “Nothing is going to change that."

"I love you too,” she whispered back, knowing she'd do whatever it took to make it work between them.

Sighing, Shamus closed his eyes. Cyndi watched him, wanting to just look at him. Even in repose, his features were sharp and masculine. Smiling, she closed her eyes and snuggled down into her pillow and slept.

The door to the room opened, but neither of them stirred. Dani O'Rourke stood in the doorway with her husband and stared at the couple lying wrapped in each other's arms on the bed. As silently as they'd come, they backed out of the room and shut the door behind them.

Cyndi sat up in bed, surrounded by people. She wished it was just her and Shamus again, but he'd been gone when she'd finally opened her eyes this morning, sneaking back to his own bed sometime during the night. He was back again, this time seated in a chair right next to her bed, but they were anything but alone.

Her Aunt Verna had arrived late last night, and when she'd checked into the Jamesville Motel and inquired about Cyndi, she'd been directed to the hospital. The small town grapevine was alive and well. Cyndi was glad her aunt was here, if only for moral support.

As if sensing her unease, Shamus reached out and took her hand in his, twining their fingers together. She drew strength from his nearness and took a deep breath. “Okay. What exactly is going on?” Patrick was here, along with his wife, Shannon. Burke and Dani were here as well. Cyndi was getting more nervous the longer this took.

Patrick stepped forward. “Bo Hobbs admitted that he was hired at first to try to scare you out of town. When you didn't leave, the plan was changed and he was told to get rid of you."

"Who?” Cyndi had to know who hated her that much.

"Elijah Harris.” Patrick crossed his arms over his chest. “He tried to deny it at first, but when I confronted him about what you'd found in your father's safe, he finally admitted it. Harris wasn't happy when you decided to transfer all your business to another law firm. He figured if you were scared enough, you might leave town and forget about switching. Seems he was hiding some of the funds from the firm and pocketing them himself.” He eyed Cyndi with something resembling respect in his eyes.

She blinked, sure she must be mistaken as Patrick continued. “He had another document already forged, naming Harris and Hammond beneficiary of the estate in the event something happened to you. He'd forged both your signature and your father's. It never occurred to him that your father might have kept proof about their wrongdoings."

"That bastard.” She could feel the anger emanating from Shamus and squeezed his hand tighter.

"What will happen now?” She wanted this mess put behind her so she could get on with her life. Her father and his legacy had made a mess of so many lives.

"Bo Hobbs is charged with attempted murder and a long list of other crimes. Elijah Harris will also be charged, but the charges are still being decided on. I'm sure the list will be long and he'll be disbarred and imprisoned for what he's done."

"Good.” She wasn't normally a vindictive person, but she wanted these men punished for what they'd done, not only to her, but to Shamus.

"Stephen Hammond had no idea any of it was going on and is in shock over this,” Patrick continued. “He's shut down the office until this mess has been straightened out, but he knows he's going to be ruined over this as well."

She tugged the covers tighter around her waist. It was uncomfortable to be surrounded by Shamus's family. Cyndi glanced over at her Aunt Verna who was watching the proceedings carefully. She smiled at the older woman, knowing her aunt wouldn't hesitate to intervene if she thought it was necessary.

"Is there anything else?” She was getting tired and wanted to rest. Patrick had already informed her that she could move back home today. The crime scene tape was down from around her house, the investigation done.

Dani cleared her throat and stepped forward. Cyndi braced herself, ready for just about anything. Shamus's grip tightened around her fingers. “I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"Sorry?” Cyndi didn't quite believe her ears.

"Yes. Sorry for what happened to you. Sorry for trying to stop you from seeing Shamus. I was distraught and wasn't thinking.” Dani sighed. “That's no excuse and it was very petty of me."

Burke laid a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. “All of us have been against your relationship with Shamus from the beginning."

"I know.” Cyndi glanced up at Shamus, then back at Burke.

"What we seemed to forget in all this is that Shamus is a man and his choices are his own.” Burke gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “I can't claim to have always made the best choices in my own life, so who am I to cast stones?"

"I guess, what we're trying to say is that we hope you'll give us another chance.” Dani stared at Shamus and then down to where his fingers twined with Cyndi's. “You're a big part of Shamus's life and therefore, part of ours."

Cyndi could see the doubt and worry in Dani's eyes. She looked up at Shamus but his face was impassive as he stared down at her. She could see it in his eyes. This was her choice. He'd support whatever one she made. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. For her there was only one choice. Shamus loved his family and they were trying. That's all that mattered.

"Of course I'll give you another chance. It's what I want from you, so I'd be a hypocrite if I denied you the same thing.” She could see the relief on Dani's face and knew she'd done the right thing. The road ahead wouldn't be an easy one, but that was okay. Shamus was worth it. What they had together was worth it.

"When are you getting out of the hospital?” Aunt Verna rose from her chair and came over to stand beside Cyndi.

"Hopefully, I'll be released when the doctor makes his rounds."

Burke stepped forward and offered his hand. “Dani and I have got to run, but I wanted you to know that I've got a crew out at your house, clearing out the rubble and cleaning the downstairs. Most of the damage was confined to that area. Unfortunately, you'll have to repaint the downstairs. The upstairs has already been cleaned just to freshen it up."

"Thank you.” Shamus replied for her because, quite honestly, Cyndi was speechless.

The men shook hands. Dani leaned in to kiss her brother's cheek before patting Cyndi on the arm. “I'll see you soon,” she promised as she followed her husband out the door.

Patrick came forward, his wife by his side. “I'll let you know if there are any new developments in the case. And Alicia Flint told me to tell you not to worry. She's on top of all of it."

"That's good to know. Thank you.” One of the best moves she'd made since coming home was hiring Alicia.

"Drop by the diner once you're feeling better,” Shannon invited. Cyndi didn't have the same history with Patrick's wife and instinctively knew that their relationship would be a bit easier.