Time's Secrets (Taylor's Girls Book 3)

by Sabra Brown Steinsiek

“Da! What are you doing here?”

  “Jamie, Mr. Collins, I’ve done something awful and, while I know all the apologizing in the world won’t fix things, I’ve come to do my best to make it up to young Megan.”

  Jamie laughed bitterly. “You’re too late, Da. Megan’s gone. Between us, we succeeded in breaking her heart and driving her away.”

  “Mr. Collins? Is this true? The lass is gone?”

  “It’s true, O’Hearn. And it’s just as well because nothing you could say to her would make any difference. It was bad enough that she learned her father was murdered but to learn the why of the murder was more than she could bear.” Sean stopped and took a deep breath. “I’ll thank you to leave now—both of you—before I say or do anything that could shame me as much as you’ve shamed yourselves.”

  Silently, young Jamie stepped through the door and headed down the steps. His father opened his mouth as if to speak then closed it and turned to follow his son. Sean closed the door behind them and poured himself another glass. He missed Maria desperately. If only she wasn’t on that damned retreat…

  * * *

  Jamie was several steps in front of his father, already turning into their garden gate, when his father finally asked him to slow down. “Jamie, please, we need to talk before we see your mother.”

  “Why’d you have to tell Meg what he’d done? Is your heart that full of hate?”

  “You can’t understand what it was like. To see someone I loved so hurt and me being powerless to help.” He heard the sound of his own words and saw the look on his son’s face. “I’m sorry. You do understand. I’ll never finish regretting what I said to the lass. I’ve no excuse, Jamie, but my love for Sha’leen—and my love for you.”

  Jamie looked at him long and steady. For the first time, the elder Jamie really realized his son was no longer a boy but a man—a man who’d lost the woman he loved through no fault of his own.

  “Answer me one thing, Da.”

  “If I can, I will.”

  “Were you one of them who was responsible for her father’s murder?”

  Of all the questions possible, the elder Jamie had never expected this one.

  Jamie read the answer in his father’s eyes. “’Tis what I thought. Megan’s gone—thinking that I don’t love her because of what her father did. And I can’t go after her because what would she think if she found out the man who murdered her father was mine.”

  He turned and walked into the house leaving his father—and his youth—behind.

  Chapter 13

  Sean Collins looked around the lovely house that was supposed to have been the setting for one last trip with his granddaughters before they grew too far away from him—a trip to give them memories to share for years to come. There would be memories all right but none they’d be taking out to polish and share.

  It had been a long night. He’d never really been to sleep. He’d repeatedly thought of calling Maria or Taylor but finally decided this was news best shared face to face. So he’d packed his things then straightened up the place. Finally, just as the sun was coming up, he sat down at the desk and wrote a note to Katyrose explaining that they’d been called back home suddenly. He left a tidy bonus for her in the envelope and thanked her for her kind care of all of them during their stay. He added a note asking her to deliver an envelope he would be leaving with hers.

  Then he took another sheet of paper and wrote a short note. Sealing it in an envelope, he wrote a name across it and left them both on the kitchen table where Katyrose would be sure to see them when she arrived.

  He left for the airport shortly after that. It was time to leave this place behind and go home. Right now, he didn’t care if he ever set foot in Ireland again.

  * * *

  The pub was not yet open when Katyrose came to the kitchen door. Calling out a greeting to Maureen, she let herself in.

  “Good morning, Katyrose. You’re out and about early today.”

  “The strangest thing, Maureen, when I got to the Professor’s house this morning, I found a note from Mr. Collins. He and his girls are gone! Called back home suddenly but he didn’t say why. Left me a tidy bonus, he did,” she said as she patted the drawstring purse she wore at her waist. “And he left an envelope for me to deliver to young Jamie. Is he about?”

  Maureen was rocked by the news but didn’t want to let it show to Katyrose. How hurt Megan must have been by old Jamie’s drunken accusations yesterday! It was no wonder they’d gone.

  “He’s not in yet, Katyrose. I’ll be glad to take it for you and give it to him when he comes in.”

  Disappointment filled Katyrose’s eyes. She’d been hoping to find out what was in the letter. She didn’t think it was from young Megan since the name on the envelope was in her grandfather’s writing but she was nearly consumed by curiosity at what it could say. Still, she needed to get back to the Professor’s house and wash the linens and put the house to rights, so she reluctantly handed it over to Maureen.

  “See that he gets it soon as he comes in, Maureen. I think it might be important.”

  “The minute he arrives, Katyrose.” Maureen held the door open so the older woman could leave then tucked the letter into her apron pocket. Jamie should be along soon.

  * * *

  Jamie was late, arriving at the pub just before the doors were to open. He’d been out looking for a place of his own since he could no longer live under the same roof with his father. His decision had devastated his mother, but she understood it was time. For a while he’d thought about pulling up stakes altogether and heading to Dublin or even London. But the only place that Meg would know to find him—if she ever wanted to—was at O’Hearn’s. If he left here…it was a tenuous connection at best, but it was all he had.

  He came in and grabbed an apron, tying it around his waist as he went into the public room. Maureen was just finishing wiping down the tables and Jamie began to do the same to the bar. She hadn’t heard him come in and was startled to turn and find him there. The boy looked like hell. She’d have been willing to bet that he had not slept at all.

  “Jamie?”

  “Yes?” He kept his back turned to her as he checked the stock behind the bar.

  “Katyrose was by earlier. She said that Professor Collins and his girls have left.”

  “That they have, Maureen.” He was glad to busy himself with straightening bottles and glasses so he’d not have to look at her face.

  “She brought something for you—a letter.”

  He turned quickly, hope alive in his eyes as Maureen handed the envelope to him. She watched as he tore it open and read the short message, the hope dying.

  “Jamie? ‘Tisn’t bad news, is it?”

  “Neither good nor bad, Maureen. Thanks for taking it for me. I need to get some whiskey out of the back; we’re a bit low. I’ll be right back.”

  He went through the kitchen door and down the stairs into the basement storage room where he opened the single sheet of paper again. It was from her grandfather and read,

  Jamie, I’m sorrier than I can say at the way things turned out for you and my Megan. I hope that somehow the two of you will find a way to work it out.

  I can’t break my promise to her and tell you where she’s gone. But I can give you my address if you choose to try to reach her. I’ll forward it on for you if I think she’s strong enough to handle it.

  Sean Collins

  Jamie folded the note and put it in his back pocket. He’d keep it but he knew he’d never use it. What had happened between their fathers would forever be a barrier between them. He’d always love her—but he’d never be part of her life again.

  Chapter 14

  Sean breathed a sigh of relief he pulled into the curving driveway that hid his home from the street. Finally! Home! And Maria’s car was there. She was home and knowing she was there wait
ing for him made all the difference in the world.

  “Sean!”

  His eyes filled with tears as his wife hurried up the sloping entryway to hold him in her arms. She was the love of his life and the other half of his heart. Only now did he feel complete and ready to face what was ahead. They held each other for a long moment.

  “Come in. I’ve made chocolate and biscochitos. There’s green chile stew on the stove if you’re hungry.”

  Once they were settled at the table, Sean began his story.

  “First of all, no one was physically hurt and the girls are both fine.”

  “And you?” Maria asked as she covered his hand with hers.

  “I’m all right, too, Maria. It all began the day we got there. I took the girls to a local pub called O’Hearn’s where Megan met a young man named Jamie O’Hearn…”

  * * *

  The chocolate had grown cold by the time Sean finished his story and Maria was weeping.

  “Do Laura and Taylor know yet?” she asked.

  “No, I still have to call and tell them.”

  “It’s too late now, Sean.”

  “I know. I’ll call early tomorrow so I can catch them both before Taylor goes to the theatre.”

  “Then come and rest for now. Morning will come soon enough.”

  * * *

  When he hung up the phone, Taylor sat in stunned silence at the twist of fate that had brought Cary Edwards back into their lives. He’d always known that someday Meg would want to know about her father and had been prepared to deal with it when the time came. But he’d never imagined that she would find out in such a way—find out details that even he hadn’t known.

  “Meg begged me to get her away from there,” Sean had said. “It wasn’t just young Jamie’s betrayal that did her in. She was feeling such tremendous guilt at what Edwards had done to Jamie’s aunt. All she could think of was getting away. Milan seemed like the best choice at the time. Betta texted me that they had arrived safely. She said she wasn’t due back at work for another week so she’d be there to keep an eye on Meg.”

  “You’ve not heard from them since?” Taylor asked, his voice filled with worry.

  “It’s only been a day,” Sean said gently.

  “I’ll call Betta today to see what’s happened. I’ll let you know what she says then.” Taylor paused then said, “Sean, she couldn’t have had anyone better there with her. And you’ve got to quit blaming yourself for what happened. You had no way of knowing.”

  “My head knows that, Taylor. It may take a little longer to convince my heart.”

  Chapter 15

  Betta opened the door to her apartment. “Meg? I’m home!” she called as she carried her bag of groceries to the kitchen.

  “Hi,” Meg said as she looked up from the book she had grabbed for camouflage when she heard Betta’s key in the door. She hadn’t done anything today—or the past two days for that matter. Nothing held her interest and she found herself going over and over that last horrible day in Belfast.

  “Feel like going out to dinner tonight?” Betta asked, knowing the answer before Meg said it. She hadn’t left Betta’s apartment since they’d arrived here three days ago.

  “I don’t think so, Betta. If it’s friends who are asking you, go on without me.”

  “It’s not friends. It’s just me. You’ve been locked up in here too long. It’s not an invitation, Meg. Get up and get ready. We are going out to dinner.”

  “And if I don’t?” Meg’s eyes turned stormy.

  “If you don’t, I’m kicking you out of my apartment and abandoning you!”

  “You’d never do that!”

  “Try me,” Betta challenged as she locked stares with Meg.

  Meg knew when she’d lost. “Fine. Just no place festive or dressy, please.”

  “Getting dressed up would be good for you, but we’re only going to the place on the corner. It’s a beautiful evening and we can sit outside and people watch for a while. You have half-an-hour to get ready.” Betta turned her attention to the letters she had picked up from her mailbox downstairs. She heard Meg pad softly into the bedroom and breathed a sigh of relief. At least she’d get her out of this apartment—out where Meg could see that the world was still going on.

  * * *

  It was a beautiful evening. Meg realized that she was glad to be out of the apartment. There was no one here who knew what had happened and she began to relax as they shared a bottle of wine while they watched the world go by.

  Betta ordered dinner for them both and, for the first time since Belfast, Meg realized she was hungry. She cleaned the last of the sauce from her plate with a piece of bread then leaned back in her chair.

  “Okay, you were right, Betta. I did need to get out.”

  “Am I ever wrong?”

  The two of them smiled at each other and Meg raised her glass in a silent toast.

  “What now, Meg?” Betta’s voice turned serious as the evening shadows crept across the street.

  Meg shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know, Betta. I still feel so confused and don’t know what to make of all of it. I’ve been thinking of going to the villa tomorrow.”

  Meg and Taylor had stayed at the Mediterranean villa after her mother had died. That was where Betta had come into their lives and Meg always thought of it as a retreat and a place for healing. Taylor had bought it shortly after he married Laura. The main house was rented out most of the time but the guesthouse was always kept ready for any of the family who cared to use it.

  “Will you be all right there alone?” Betta asked.

  “Alone is what I need right now, I think. I’ve always loved it there. I’ll rent a car and drive down tomorrow.”

  “If you want to wait for the weekend, I’ll go with you.”

  “Thanks, Betta. But I think I’m really ready to go now.”

  “Just promise to check in with me every day so I don’t worry.”

  “I will—and if I’m really leaving tomorrow, we’d probably better go back so I can make arrangements for the car and get packed.”

  Chapter 16

  It had been nearly a week since Sean had come back from Ireland. Laura had been devastated when Taylor told her the news. Since then, he’d had been so wrapped up in worry about Meg that he wasn’t sleeping well and Laura often went to bed without him only to wake and find him gone in the mornings.

  On one of those sleepless nights, he’d rummaged around in the top of a closet looking for a box they’d stored there. He had found it when he took Meg back to close up and sell the Florida house she’d grown up in. When he’d realized what it contained, he’d called Laura and they had agreed that Meg was not ready yet for the contents. Someday she would want them—would want to know about her father— and, when that time came, Taylor would give it to her.

  He carried it out to the patio and sat in the dark, his hands caressing the smooth wood of the box, and remembered that time that seemed so long ago.

  * * *

  It had only been a little over six months since Meg’s mother, Annie, had died. With Betta’s help, Meg was healing. The pain was still there below the surface but she was learning to go on. She’d been very enthusiastic about his marriage to Laura and welcomed her. Meg and Betta had stayed with Laura’s parents while Taylor and Laura were on their Venetian honeymoon. When they came back to get the girls, Laura and Betta remained in Albuquerque to close up Laura’s apartment, while Taylor and Meg went to Florida to close up and sell Annie’s house and his condo. Then they were all going back to Italy to begin the work of forming a new family.

  The house had been closed for more than six months by then. Sheets covered the furniture. The plants Annie had so lovingly tended were gone, the windows tightly shuttered. He and Meg had stood in the doorway, unsure what to do, where to begin. Finally, Taylor bega
n to open the shutters and asked Meg to uncover the furniture. For the time they were there, he’d make it as much like home as possible.

  It had been particularly hard for Meg. This was the only home she had ever known and she was packing away her memories. Remembering how he had felt when he had finally gone back to his own childhood home, Taylor gave her time alone there, time to remember—time to grieve.

  He made sure that Meg had a chance to see and say good-bye to her friends. He arranged a luncheon for them at a nearby restaurant and sent a limo to pick up the girls. He deliberately did not attend, letting Meg act as hostess.

  The night before they were to leave for Europe, Taylor and Meg hosted a dinner for the people who had been a part of their lives. Jane, Annie’s assistant, had taken over the dance school and retained the Miller Dance Studio name. Susan, Meg’s former babysitter, had gone to work for her. Jude MacMurray had stopped by to assure herself they were doing well. Her law firm would be handling the paperwork when the house and condo sold. David, best man at Taylor’s wedding to Annie, was there, understanding now why Taylor had left Laura to marry Annie.

  When it came time to leave the house for the last time, Taylor told Meg he’d wait for her outside. She’d wandered through the empty house and felt both the presence and absence of her mother in every room. Her face was tearstained as she came out of the house and pulled the door shut behind her, shutting her childhood inside. She never looked back as they drove away, but she held on to Taylor’s hand as tightly as she could.

  * * *

  When she woke to find Taylor gone again, Laura decided it was time for them to talk. She found him in the pre-dawn coolness and shadow of the living room. Quietly she came and sat beside him and wrapped her arms around him. She could feel his tension and understood why. Meg had been his since she was born, first as his goddaughter then his daughter when he married her mother.