The Mystic Cove Series Boxed Set (Wild Irish Books 5-7)

by Tricia O'Malley

  “You wished for me to be miserable?” Dylan asked, turning to glare at her.

  “I wished for you to have magick in your life. Love and laughter, frustration and fights, and the essence of being truly alive. The fact that Grace has real magick is only icing on the cake, as far as I’m concerned. How lucky are you to have found a woman so amazing as that?” Catherine asked softly, her eyes full of love for him.

  “And that’s it? Just accept it all and fall neatly in line with what destiny wants for us?” Dylan asked, stubborn to the end.

  “It’s not what destiny wants,” Catherine said. “Don’t you see? It’s what you want. You’re here, aren’t you? You’ve left your woman behind, devastated. And from the sounds of it, I doubt she’ll be waiting around for you to come back, so again, I’ll reiterate my assessment of your intelligence. But nobody is telling you what do, Dylan. Only you can listen to your heart and trust what you want. So what is it?”

  “I want to be with her,” Dylan said automatically, surprised to realize it was completely and inexplicably true.

  “Then why did you leave her behind?” Catherine asked.

  “I… aww, shite. Because I’m an idiot,” Dylan said, raking his hand through his hair.

  “I hope you know how to grovel, because I suspect this beautiful pirate queen of yours will take no prisoners,” Catherine called after him, but Dylan was already racing to his car, the panic of what he might be losing etched on his face.

  Catherine looked down at the fat cat who brushed against her leg.

  “I think that went well, don’t you?”

  In response, the cat bit a flower and Catherine narrowed her eyes at him.

  “I see someone doesn’t want dinner.”

  Chapter 42

  “This has been the best gift ever,” Fi said as they sipped a mimosa, the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean shimmering before them.

  After Dylan had left, Grace had needed an out. At first, she’d briefly considered going to find the cottage where her dreams had been shattered. But that seemed too self-indulgent, or perhaps morose, so instead she’d caved to Fi’s demands that she visit her in Italy. Rosie had happily gone off with Margaret and Sean, who were staying for a week at Keelin and Flynn’s house just over from the cottage. Her work for New York was currently at a standstill, as the products had all been shipped. With nothing to do but mope, Grace couldn’t refuse Fi’s offer of a holiday.

  It had been exactly what she’d needed.

  Grace and Fi had spent the week having a proper girls’ holiday, with boat rides on the water and afternoons spent laughing with charming Italian men who were born to flirt. Grace had shopped in all the little boutiques, picking up anything her heart desired, from pretty dangly azure earrings to a deliciously soft leather purse. And a pair of shoes or two. It would be a crime to go to Italy and not buy some shoes, Grace had reasoned, running her hand over the butter-soft leather of her new boots.

  Fi had done her best to hook Grace up with every handsome man who crossed her path, but Grace wasn’t feeling it. Finally, they had a day of just lounging by the water, and Fi had decided enough was enough.

  “You really love him, don’t you?” Fi asked, peering at her through polka-dot sunglasses. They were stretched on sun chaises – it was still a little chilly in the season, but warmer than in Ireland. The garden was charming, with climbing vines, a low stone wall, and a breathtaking view of the water. So long as Grace could see the water, she was soothed.

  “Aye, I do.”

  “I thought so. I kind of did a thing. I didn’t mean to. Mum yells at me to be better about it,” Fi said, nervously drumming her fingers on her leg. Grace glared at her pixie of a friend.

  “What did you do?”

  “I kind of peeked in your thoughts. I knew how much you loved him. But I had to be sure,” Fi said.

  “Why did you have to be sure, Fi? Couldn’t I have told you in my own time? You know how I feel about that. I try to be good with you,” Grace grumbled. Though she couldn’t fully read minds, Grace could pick up on flashes here and there, but she always tried to be respectful of her friends.

  “I know. It’s just that… I’ve never seen you this distraught. I know you’ve been putting on a front for me, trying to have fun. But I can tell you just want to be home. With him,” Fi said.

  “I do. But that really isn’t an option for me, Fi. You know that. Hence the whole heartbreak thing,” Grace said, sipping on her drink and staring out at the water. “It’s just going to take some time for me to get my feet under me and move on.”

  “Or, you know, you don’t have to move on,” Fi suggested.

  “You want me to go back to him?” Grace said, turning to look at Fi in surprise.

  “I think that true love deserves a fighting chance,” Fi said evenly.

  “I can’t fight with someone who walked out,” Grace pointed out.

  “Yeah, about that,” Fi said, a flush creeping up her pretty features.

  “What did you do?” Grace asked, rolling to sit up and glare at her friend.

  “Well, you know how you told me to take your phone away?” Fi said and Grace felt her stomach go sick.

  “You didn’t text him, Fi. That would be unforgiveable,” Grace hissed, feeling betrayed by her friend.

  “Just listen… He called. And called. And called. And messaged. Repeatedly. So, finally I did a thing,” Fi shrugged, not looking as guilty as Grace thought she probably should.

  “What did you do?” Grace bit out, doing her best to keep her temper in check around her best friend.

  “Hello, Grace.”

  Chapter 43

  At the sound of Dylan’s voice, Grace sprang up and tried to run from the patio, but there was nowhere to go but over the cliffside and down into the sea. Furious with Fi, and unprepared to speak to Dylan, she stared out at the sea and willed herself to breathe.

  One breath at a time.

  When she finally turned, Fi had made herself scarce. Smart woman, Grace thought as she detailed all the ways she would make her friend suffer.

  Her first thought, when she could finally bring herself to look at Dylan, was that he looked tired. And like he’d lost a little weight. Not that she cared, Grace reminded herself as she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I came back to the cottage. The next day,” Dylan said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “But you were already gone.”

  “So? Did you think I’d be there to greet you with open arms?” Grace shrugged and looked away, so frustrated with herself for wanting to run to him and hug him.

  “No, I didn’t expect that. I didn’t expect you to be a coward, though,” Dylan said and Grace looked back at him, anger flashing through her.

  “Coward? I’m not the one who walked,” Grace said, moving forward to poke her finger into his chest. “I’m not the one who wasn’t strong enough to stand for us. To give us a chance.”

  “I know, Grace. I’m the coward. I couldn’t see what you saw. But know that I just needed some time to process,” Dylan said, his face miserable. “You’ve had ages to come to terms with magick, with destiny, with crazy dreams and past lives. I’ve had days. I know I screwed up, but can you cut me some slack? It’s a hell of a lot to process on the fly, let alone when you want to change your whole life for someone.”

  “Change your whole life? What are you changing? Oh… the cultural center? I’m so sorry that you have to move it,” Grace griped at him. “I didn’t say you couldn’t build it. It’s not the end of the world to switch locations.”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about,” Dylan said, and pulled a package out of the messenger bag he wore. He held it out to her until she took it, looking warily from him to the folder.

  “What is this?”

  “Open it and see,” Dylan suggested.

  Grace opened it and scanned the contents, her heart blooming with hope as she realized what he’d done.

  “You’ve done the right thing,” Gra
ce said, her voice cracking.

  “Aye, the land is yours. I’ve signed it over to you. You’re right. It should stay in your family,” Dylan said.

  “That’s… that’s incredibly kind of you,” Grace said, straightening her back, “And the right thing to do. I commend you for that.”

  “Except I’ll be needing you to sign off on Clause Number 39,” Dylan said, nodding to the file.

  “Clause… what? I’m sure this can be worked out another time,” Grace grumbled, frustrated and flustered at the prospect of having to read paperwork when the man she loved was throwing her emotions into a tailspin.

  “No, it really can’t. I’ll need you to make a decision on that now,” Dylan said, his face set in hard lines. Annoyed, Grace bent her head to the paperwork and flipped through the pages until she found Clause Number 39.

  “This long lease of land is transferred into the name of Ms. Grace O’Brien if she accepts the irrevocable right of a tenant to share the cottage located at Grace’s Cove,” Grace read, then whipped her head at up and glared at him. “A tenant? I don’t think so.”

  “Read on,” Dylan suggested.

  “The tenancy is solely granted to one Mr. Dylan Kelly…” Grace’s voice caught and she looked up from the paperwork, her mouth dropping open to find Dylan kneeling before her.

  “What… what does this mean?” Grace gasped.

  “And here I’m being called the dumb one all the time,” Dylan teased, and then looked up at her, his heart in his eyes. “Before you decide on accepting the clause, I have something else for you.”

  Grace took the package he offered, which was much heavier than she expected from a man kneeling on the ground. Tucking the paperwork beneath her arm, she hastily unwrapped the paper from the package. When she saw what it was, tears flowed freely.

  My heart for yours.

  “You found the cottage,” Grace whispered, holding the chunk of stone they’d so painstakingly engraved all those years before.

  “I found the cottage. And brought this to you to show you that I believe you, I believe in our love, and I was a fool to turn my back on it just because I didn’t understand or accept it yet. Will you accept me, Grace, my love? For all my faults and failings, will you take me as your lover, your husband, your love of all time? I’d be lost without you – I didn’t realize that I’m nothing without you until I met you once again in this lifetime. Now the pieces all fit together and I know with my every fiber of my being that you’re the one for me.”

  Dylan held up yet another package, causing Grace to laugh and cry at the same time. She put the papers down, then lay the stone engraving on top of them, before accepting the box from him. When she opened it, Grace’s heart soared.

  “It looks like the cove,” Grace whispered, meeting Dylan’s eyes. The ring, a brilliant blue sapphire with a perfect half-circle of diamonds set in a gold band, shimmered with life and love.

  “So?” Dylan asked, hope in his eyes, “Will you accept Clause Number 39? It’s irrevocable, you know.”

  “Aye, I do. Faults, stubbornness, and big heart and all,” Grace laughed, leaping into his arms.

  “We’re forever bound, once more. My heart for yours…” Dylan whispered against her lips.

  “Through all time,” Grace agreed.

  Epilogue

  “So you’re telling me you haven’t spilled a word of it?” Dylan asked, laughing as Grace dragged him down the street to the pub. It was a busy Saturday night a few days later, as they’d had trouble leaving a delighted Fi, who was already planning their wedding.

  “I haven’t. And since Fi’s sworn to secrecy, it will be a surprise to all,” Grace said. She had only called ahead to let people know they would be back in town. They’d missed the second town meeting, but from the number of emails, phone calls, and text messages that had poured through both their phones, it was apparent that the village had agreed unanimously to approve the design and vision of the cultural center. To the surprise of all, Mr. Murphy had donated his house, which was located close to the harbor with a large yard and small outbuilding, for the center. He was pleased as punch to make something useful out of his childhood home, and Liam had sent an email explaining that it truly was the perfect spot for the center.

  “If only we’d come to that conclusion before we’d gone through all the drama and headaches,” Grace had griped, but Dylan had only laughed and pulled her back to bed.

  “Then I wouldn’t have known what a headstrong and perfect match you are for me, my love,” Dylan said, kissing her breathless.

  “From where I’m sitting, I’d be saying you’re the stubborn one,” Grace said, and laughed when he poked her in the ribs.

  “We owe Mr. Murphy a drink,” Dylan decided, pulling the door open to a packed pub. Word had gotten out that they were back in town and everyone in the village wanted to see who was left standing after their battle for the ages.

  Silence filled the room as all eyes turned to look at them, even the musicians playing a jaunty tune in the booth sliding the song to an abrupt stop.

  “Well? Did you two figure things out then?” Cait asked, her hands on her hips.

  “Aye, that we did,” Grace said and held up her hand to show the ring, which sparkled in the pub lights. A cheer went up and in seconds they were swarmed with well-wishers, both Grace and Dylan being roundly kissed and hugged.

  “Wait, we have something to settle,” Liam called to Cait, and the pub went quiet again.

  “I’m already on it, can’t you see, Liam?” Cait grumbled, flipping through a fat leatherbound book she’d pulled on to the bar. Pushing her hair from her eyes, she narrowed a look at Dylan.

  “What day did you propose, young man?”

  “Three days ago, now,” Dylan said.

  Cait nodded and flipped through the pages, scanning her notes.

  “And the winner of the bet on what day they’d get their heads out of their arses and fall for each other…” Cait smiled.

  “You bet on us?” Grace said, hands on hips as she surveyed the crowd in outrage.

  “Of course we did. You’re just mad you weren’t in on it,” Cait said.

  “Who’s the winner, Cait?”

  “That’d be our fine Mr. Murphy – the hero in this story, it seems,” Cait beamed. Mr. Murphy clapped, so delighted was he that he almost toppled off his little bar stool. “To the tune of one thousand thirty-nine euros.”

  “Drinks on me!” Mr. Murphy cried, and the pub cheered in delight.

  “Now, how could I not expect this in a town named after you?” Dylan laughed against her ear and Grace leaned into him, delighted to be back in his arms again, across all these centuries.

  Fiona smiled from where she stood behind Cait, always a presence in their lives, content to see her family happy and well-cared for. Turning, she slipped into John’s waiting arms.

  “A love for all times… much like ours, my pretty Fiona.”

  “Aye, John, it is at that. My heart for yours.”

  Ms. Bitch

  Finding happiness is the best revenge

  Available as an e-book, Hardback, Paperback, Audio or Large Print.

  Read Today

  New from Tricia O’Malley

  From the outside, it seems thirty-six-year-old Tess Campbell has it all. A happy marriage, a successful career as a novelist, and an exciting cross-country move ahead. Tess has always played by the rules and it seems like life is good.

  Except it’s not. Life is a bitch. And suddenly so is Tess.

  “Ms. Bitch is sunshine in a book! An uplifting story of fighting your way through heartbreak and making your own version of happily-ever-after.”

  ~Ann Charles, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Deadwood Mystery Series

  "Authentic and relatable, Ms. Bitch packs an emotional punch. By the end, I was crying happy tears and ready to pack my bags in search of my best life."

  -Annabel Chase, author of the Starry Hollow Witches series

  "It's ea
sy to be brave when you have a lot of support in your life, but it takes a special kind of courage to forge a new path when you're alone. Tess is the heroine I hope I'll be if my life ever crumbles down around me. Ms. Bitch is a journey of determination, a study in self-love, and a hope for second chances. I could not put it down!"

  -Renee George, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Nora Black Midlife Psychic Mysteries

  "I don’t know where to start listing all the reasons why you should read this book. It’s empowering. It’s fierce. It’s about loving yourself enough to build the life you want. It was honest, and raw, and real and I just...loved it so much!”

  – Sara Wylde, author of Fat

  Secret chapter

  “I have a surprise for you! As a gift to you, here is a secret chapter that is a prequel to a book of my heart, Ms. Bitch. This chapter is not included in the actual book, so I hope you enjoy!” Tricia.

  Today was the day. The day she’d never spent too much time dreaming about, but had always assumed she’d partake in at least once in her life.

  Tess rolled over in the hotel bed, the sheet soft and cool against her skin, and propped herself on her elbow to study her fiancé’s face. At thirty, Gabe Campbell was handsome in a guy-next-door kind of way, with soulful eyes, a quirky smile, and was the life of every party. Tess had been drawn into his gravitational force since the moment she’d met him, and he’d decided she was going to be his next girlfriend. It had happened so quickly – from single to living together – that Tess had barely had time to think. She loved it, though. It was nice to be the center of someone’s universe.

  For once she hadn’t felt so alone.

  “Hey babe,” Gabe said, blinking awake with a smile at her touch. “We’re getting married today.”