Catch Me a Catch Page 16

  “I want to be here with you. To give our relationship a chance.” They hadn’t mentioned love yet, but it was just a matter of time. He’d loved his parents and they’d died. If they spent more time together she felt sure he’d realize the emotion which drew them together had a name, and its name was love.

  “I do too.” She kissed him right back.

  ****

  “Have you time for a dance before you have to get your plane?” She led him by the hand back to the hall. A circle of daisies crowned her hair; the little flowers a perfect complement to her natural beauty. Her dimple winked. The prospect of a dance was enticing. It would be a chance to hold her close, move his body against hers. They had so little time he hadn’t managed to sneak her away for a quiet session in the dunes.

  “You know I do. A slow dance anyway.” He nuzzled her neck. Kissed the vanilla scented skin. If he were creating a chocolate in homage to her, he’d use dark chocolate streaked with gold leaf to mimic the colors woven through her thick swathe of hair. It would be flavored with the finest Madagascan vanilla, to match the rest of her. He made a mental note to tell her sometime. She could call it the ‘Venus.’

  “Most dances in the ceili are slow ones during the festival.” She wriggled, laughed at the feel of his chin on her delicate skin. “The dance of love.”

  “Ah. The dance of love.” The smile faded from his face, replaced by raw desperation to have her body tight against his in the twilight darkness.

  “Let’s go dance.”

  There were people everywhere. Despite Annie’s declaration, the music was fast and loud, couples hurling each other across the dance floor like missiles. It seemed to be breaking the ice anyway. Laughter filled the air.

  “Oh my God. This can’t be the dance of love, can it?”

  “More like the dance of broken bones.” She grinned and jerked him out of the danger zone.

  “There’ll be a slow one next. Come on, let’s get a drink.”

  At the punchbowl, a familiar giant was chatting to a small, pretty woman he hadn’t met before.

  “Jack, this is my cousin Michael and his wife Grainne.”

  Jack nodded. “Michael and I have met. But this is the first time I’ve met Grainne.” He stuck out his hand and shook hers. “Pleased to meet you, Grainne.”

  “Likewise.” She had an open and friendly face. “Michael’s told me all about you.”

  Annie was looking puzzled. Her gaze flicked between them. Of course, she didn’t know about Michael coming to the house on ladies night. The night he’d brought the supplies for the boat. The night he and Bull had discovered Michael’s secret.

  His heart fell. He hadn’t told her Michael’s secret. But he’d told Bull hers. He closed his eyes in dread. Waiting for the blade to fall.

  The music changed, softened into a ballad. The mournful lilt of the singer perfectly matching his mood.

  “Annie, they’re playing our song.”

  Her eyes opened wide.

  “Okay, it might not be ‘our song’ but it’s the first slow one. So you’re dancing with me.” He did the whole macho thing of leading her out into the middle of the dance floor. He had to get her away before Michael let something slip. Jack pulled Annie into his arms and breathed in the fragrance of her hair. Her body molded itself to his in a sweet torment. He couldn’t give in to it. He had to talk to her before anyone else did.

  “Annie.” She moved sensuously against him, swaying in the circle of his arms. It was torture. “Annie.” Sharper. Her steps faltered and she cracked open her eyes to gaze up at him. “I need to talk to you about something.”

  ****

  She stilled in his arms. This was it. He was going to say he loved her. She just knew it. She breathed in. It was the perfect ending of a perfect day. Her thoughts tumbled over each other, working out the details, mile a minute. He’d go back to New York for a few days and be back before the festival was over. And all the time she’d be thinking of him. Planning out the future they’d live together. Maybe they could buy somewhere in Dublin, somewhere near his grandmother, close enough so they could sail back here for holidays.

  She waited.

  “While you were in Dublin I spoke to your father.” He didn’t look happy. In fact he looked so serious she almost interrupted before remembering what had happened the last time she’d jumped in. He’d spoken to Bull? Had he asked her father for his blessing? It was archaic, but she felt sure Bull would have approved.

  She nodded, silently willing him to continue.

  “Did Bull tell you?” His brow creased in a fascinating puzzle of wrinkles.

  “No. He didn’t. Why don’t you?” She smiled. He obviously needed some encouragement.

  “Oh.” His face fell. He was really milking the moment for all it was worth. She was happy enough to let him. It wasn’t every day she got proposed to on the dance floor.

  “I spoke to your father about you being the next matchmaker.” The swirling couples and the mournful music faded away. She felt her jaw drop open, like a cartoon character. It couldn’t be true.

  “What?” Her legs were barely holding her up. She needed to sit down, quick. She stumbled and his hands gripped her upper arms steadying her.

  “Let’s sit down and talk.”

  She glanced around the room full of romancing couples. They sat on chairs around the dance floor, talking and flirting.

  “Outside.” Her feet couldn’t rush her out of there quickly enough, but she resisted the urge to run. Outside, she sank down onto one of the chairs set up under the darkening sky.

  Annie’s hands twisted and squeezed in her lap. She bit the inside of her mouth, one part of her not wanting to hear the details, the other desperate to. Jack’s voice was low as he started talking.

  “I met Michael during ladies night. Later, Bull, Michael and I were talking. Michael wanted to help out matchmaking during the festival. His lifelong dream is to be a matchmaker. Bull told him he could help, but that the job of matchmaker had to come to you. It was your legacy as his only child. Michael was disappointed. Even though he’d always known you would inherit the mantle. He told Bull he’d be happy to help. I couldn’t let Bull turn him down. Not when I knew you didn’t want the job. I insinuated that you didn’t want it. You know you dread it.” He reached for her hand again, but Annie shifted in the seat, rejecting his touch. She stared out at the water. It was unforgivable. He’d betrayed her trust. Spoken to her father against her wishes.

  “Isn’t it time for you to be going?” There was cold anger in her stare. “You don’t want to miss your plane.”

  “Annie, don’t be like this…” There was a warning note in his voice, but she ignored it. Not this time. This was a step too far.

  “You betrayed me, Jack. I asked you not to say anything. Did you even think of that when you decided to take matters into your own hands and tell him my innermost thoughts?”

  He was silent.

  “Well, did you?” His betrayal hurt. No, more than that, her entire body ached as if mugged. Especially her heart.

  He glanced at his watch and cursed aloud.

  “I have to go otherwise I’ll miss my flight. If I miss this one, I’ll miss my meeting. I can’t stay, Annie. If we lose the contract it could be catastrophic for the company.”

  “Just go, Jack.” Walk away. And don’t bother coming back. She told herself she’d survive, and she knew she would. But she wouldn’t be happy. She didn’t think she would ever be happy again.

  “I’m going. But I’ll be back. Think about it while I’m gone. I’ll be back for the end of festival party.” He bent down and brushed her unresponsive lips with his warm ones. “This isn’t over. I care about you, Annie. I’m not giving up.”

  His long legs rushed him to the car in moments. She sat in the dark and watched the lights of his car grow smaller until they finally faded into the distance.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The fact his office had the perfect view over Central Park di
dn’t interest Jack in the slightest. He buzzed Roxie and asked her to come in. “Did you book the restaurant?”

  Roxie and Mark were having dinner with him tonight. They were leaving straight from work. The pile of paperwork on his desk was steadily shrinking. It now resembled a small hill, rather than the mountain it had been when he returned to the office three days ago.

  “Yes, it’s all arranged.” She’d brought her notebook in with her. She always did. Usually when he called he’d need her to. Not this time though.

  “Sit for a couple of minutes, will you?”

  She tossed back her shining cap of black hair. Sat on the white leather chair opposite his and crossed her long, elegant legs. She was uncharacteristically quiet. “Will you need me to take notes this evening?”

  He’d never taken his secretary for dinner before. Apart from meetings when they would be discussing a client’s requirements. She’d always had to combine the tasks of eating with note taking. He was a terrible boss.

  “This evening is just for us all to talk. We won’t need your notebook.” Jack ran a finger around his collar, loosening the fit. He hated the constriction around his neck. Being in Durna, he’d quickly got used to jeans and tee-shirts. And talking about his feelings.

  “The meeting went well?” Roxie’s eyebrows raised questioningly, giving her a slightly startled look. She tilted her head sideways like a curious rabbit. She must be wondering where her driven boss had gone. The aimless man facing her bore very little resemblance.

  He nodded. “Yes.” He’d worked with Mark to redo the presentation, and had let Mark give it. Jason Mecredi wanted him there, but Jack had insisted on only sitting in as an observer. Mark was running the show. It wasn’t fair of the client to dismiss Mark’s efforts. Jack had made that quite clear to Jason in a phone call before the presentation. Mark was a damn good worker. He had vision and style. There was no way Jack would take that away from him. After an hour of presentation and the subsequent discussion, Mecredi Cars announced they were satisfied. Miller Advertising had won another prestigious contract. He should be bouncing off the walls. Instead, his thoughts returned unerringly to Durna, and to Annie.

  “I want you to know there are going to be some changes.”

  Roxie crossed and uncrossed her legs. She was nervous. Everyone dreaded change.

  “In a good way,” he hastily added. “I want to talk to you and Mark because I consider you both the most important people in the company. I’d like you to think about taking on a bigger role, Roxie.” She’d always talked about becoming a creative, and Mark was all for it. Roxie’s knowledge of the company’s workings had been invaluable while he was away. She’d more than proved herself able for the job.

  “Mark agrees. He was very impressed with your work while I was away. The company is expanding. I’ve offered Mark a directorship and he’s agreed. We’d like you to take the position of Mark’s assistant. Eventually take on clients on your own. When you feel ready, of course.” She was beaming at him. Not smiling, actually beaming. “We’ll have to employ someone to take over your position, and you’ll need to spend some time training them in. Then you’ll be working with Mark. It’s one of the things we’ll be discussing this evening. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”

  The other item on the agenda was his determination to take the organization global. Starting with Ireland. He would break the news over dinner.

  Roxie pushed her hair behind her ears. It was only just long enough. She pulled in a deep breath. “I’d love that, Jack. You know it’s what I’ve always wanted.”

  He nodded; she’d never been shy about stating her goals. “You deserve it, Roxie. You’ve worked hard and you’re a real credit to the company.”

  He walked around the desk and offered her his hand. “Now, let’s see if Mark is ready to go. I think we can close up early today. Don’t you?”

  ****

  After a hellish couple of days, Susan Goff rang to make Annie an offer she couldn’t refuse. The chance to have samples of her winning chocolates grace every table at the presentation ceremony. The organizers had produced small, two-chocolate sized boxes with Devine Chocolates printed on top. Along with acres of violet ribbon to dress them.

  It was an impossible task to complete in her kitchen at home, and they’d cleverly provided the perfect solution. A miniature army of six professional chocolatiers from the catering college had been provided, along with everything they’d need. The hellish part was that there were one hundred and fifty guests. The resulting nightmare of producing a mountain of chocolates had been one unforgettable experience.

  Now, one hundred and fifty boxes filled with her winning entry sat on a side table ready to be placed out onto the tables at the end of the meal. The guests were a hand picked, select group of international buyers and restaurateurs. All of whom would be tasting her chocolates before the night was through. As well as the publicity and substantial check, getting her chocolates in front of the buyers would be the catalyst to getting her company off the ground. She should be feeling ecstatic. Instead, she was exhausted.

  She was stacking the final boxes on the side table when a tall, elegant lady dressed in a flowing silk dress walked up to her. “Annie? I’m Susan Goff.” Annie placed the boxes down carefully. “Miss Goff.” Speech deserted her in the face of the illustrious judge.

  “Susan.” She cast an expert eye over the boxes, then gestured to a chair. “Call me Susan. They look fantastic.” They sank onto two chairs abutting the nearest table. “I wanted to get a chance before the ceremony to meet you. To find out if you have any concerns that need my attention.” Susan Goff’s long red nails lay in her lap. Her tone was so warm, Annie relaxed instantly.

  “I did want to talk to you about something.” She pulled in a deep breath. “The shop.”

  One of Susan’s eyebrows rose. It was an impressive trick.

  “I wanted to know what would happen if I decided not to take it.”

  The eyebrow fell, and Susan leant closer. “In the event of you not taking the shop, we would have to award it to the runner-up. You would still be the winner of the competition, of course, but the lease for the current tenant runs out in a month, and such prime property…” She hissed out a breath. “Well, we couldn’t leave it empty. Are you planning not to take us up on our offer?”

  It was late in the day for making such a momentous decision, but she needed to explore all her options.

  “I haven’t decided yet.” Her eyes clouded and she clenched her jawline tight. “I’ll let you know by the end of next week.”

  ****

  A sumptuous suite of rooms formed part of Annie’s prize. It was decked out with fruit, flowers and champagne. The two-roomed suite meant her parents could stay the night in luxury too, which had been a relief. Her flat was too small to accommodate them, and she didn’t want them traveling back to Durna so late. It was a long drive. Annie soaked in a leisurely bath and got dressed.

  The extension rang just as she was putting the final touches to her hair. She’d decided to put it up in honor of the occasion, and was fiddling with the jeweled hair chopsticks she’d bought on holiday. The mauve butterflies made of Swarovski crystal were a perfect match to her dress.

  “Hello?”

  “We’re in the lobby. Can we come up?” It was a relief to hear Maeve’s voice. Annie’d been so alone over the past couple of days. Up to her elbows in chocolate. So busy she’d not had time to brood over Jack.

  “Come on up.” She gave up on the hair chopsticks and opened the door, gazing down the corridor to the lift. Mum could do her hair when she arrived. Tonight, Annie was all thumbs.

  The last thing she expected when she walked down into the lobby was the small throng of supporters from Durna. They’d staked out the bar and broke into spontaneous applause when they saw her.

  “Surprise,” Maeve said quietly. She patted her daughter’s arm. “We all came down together. Dad and I are staying the night, but the rest are flying back
after the presentation.”

  “Flying?” How could they afford that?

  “Jack chartered a plane from Galway. He rang and told us to bring everyone.” Maeve’s face lit up. “It was wonderful, Annie. He organized a coach to bring us all here from the airport.”

  Annie couldn’t believe it. So many people. Here. For her. Jack had known how important it was to share all this with her friends. Even when she hadn’t. She sank into the throng and accepted congratulations from everyone. This evening would be everything she’d dreamed of and more. There was only one person missing. Jack. She straightened her spine and gratefully accepted a glass of champagne. This evening was about fulfilling old dreams. When Jack came back at the end of festival for the party, she’d fulfill her new ones.

  ****

  The last night of the festival was always the best, and this year was no exception. Early evening sunlight was still bouncing off the rocks outside the pub, and Niall had strung lanterns from the trees to bring the festival ambience outside. Inside the pub, a makeshift stage had been rigged up. A local band played enthusiastically to the growing crowd, many of whom were dancing on the space cleared in the center for exactly that purpose. A great cheer went up as Annie and Bull walked to the open doorway. When they reached the matchmaker’s table a couple of drinks arrived in front of them instantly.

  “On the house.” Niall grinned. “With my compliments. You’ve brought enough business my way over the past couple of weeks.”

  “Thanks, Niall.” Annie’s eyes searched the crowd for Jack. There was no sign of him, but she knew he’d be there, he’d promised. Jack wasn’t one for reneging on a deal.

  Bull was deep in conversation with a group of his old friends, completely in his element. She felt a familiar tingle of watching eyes, and glanced at the doorway. Her cousin Michael stood there, unsure.

  “Michael!”

  He tentatively crossed the room toward her. “Hi Annie.” He eyed her carefully.