by Evie Hunter
Niall patted the pocket of his jacket. ‘Everything is under control. Trust me.’
‘That’s what you said when you found my sister. And she’s gone AWOL again.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll put Andy on it. He’ll track her down.’
It was the one shadow on a beautiful day. She had so wanted her sister to be at the wedding, but Roisin had gone to ground – last seen somewhere in Ireland. She didn’t like to think of her being without protection with Hall still on the loose.
‘Stop frowning. You’ll ruin the photographs,’ Niall said.
‘Feck off. Come on, hurry up.’
They arrived with minutes to spare at the white-painted Pilar Basilica, one of the oldest and loveliest churches in Buenos Aires. Outside the portico, a kilted Scotsman paced, drawing curious glances from passers-by. He tapped the face of his watch as they raced through the gates.
‘What time do you call this? Everyone else is inside, except Summer and Tim. She had to dash to the airport to pick him up,’ Flynn said, exasperated. ‘They’ll be here any minute.’
Niall dropped a quick kiss on Sinead’s mouth. ‘I’ll see you inside. Don’t keep me waiting.’
As the first strains of music drifted through the open doorway of the church, Sinead lifted the bridal bouquet to her face, inhaling the sweet scent of the exotic blooms. She couldn’t believe that this day had come, that she was actually here. She tied the medal her grandmother had given her around the stem of the bouquet, then glanced at her watch. It was almost time for the ceremony to begin.
A red sports car circled the garden in front of the church and screeched to a stop at the doorway. Sinead smiled. Thank god. She thought she’d be on her own walking up the aisle. A beaming Tim O’Sullivan climbed from the rear of the car and gave her an enthusiastic hug, but took care not to crush her dress.
Her cousin Summer got out of the driving seat. Her mop of chocolate-brown waves had been tamed into an elegant up-style and the simple bridesmaid’s dress had probably cost a fortune. ‘Sorry Sinead, we had to race from the airport. Dad’s flight was late.’
Tim O’Sullivan snorted. ‘It wouldn’t have happened if it was one of my planes.’ He glared at his daughter. ‘They have speed limits here, you know.’
‘It doesn’t matter. I’m so glad you’re both here.’ Sinead handed over the bridesmaid’s bouquet. ‘Flynn’s like a scalded cat. You’d think it was his wedding, the way he’s carrying on. We better go in and put him out of his misery.’
‘Niall’s misery is only starting,’ Tim chuckled.
Two pairs of blue eyes glared at him.
‘Can a man not crack a joke? What’s wrong with women these days?’
Summer laughed and shook her head. She straightened his bow tie and checked him over. ‘Come on, Dad. You’ve got a niece to give away.’
Just before they went in, Sinead fingered the ring on the third finger of her left hand – a platinum band set with a dark blue sapphire. She slipped it off and handed it to Summer. ‘Don’t you dare lose it.’
The Viking had surprised her last night with an engagement gift to match the earrings he had bought for her in Paris. He had also been thinking of something blue. Sinead smiled. How well he knew her.
The simple ceremony was probably costing him a fortune, but his sister Alison had been posted to Buenos Aires and her only cousin lived here too, so it had been the logical place to hold the wedding.
Sinead tucked her hand through her uncle’s arm and they began the slow walk up the aisle. Sinead concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, smiling when she reached the guests occupying the pews at the front of the church. Her uncle patted her hand and passed it to Niall. ‘Mind you take good care of her.’
Niall nodded and Sinead tried not to laugh at the hint of a threat in Tim O’Sullivan’s words. He was more of a father to her than her own had ever been. He had raised her, educated her and, in his own way, loved her almost as much as he loved his own daughter.
Niall squeezed her hand and mouthed, ‘I love you.’
No matter how many times he told her, his words always made her catch her breath. Niall loved and accepted all of her. Both Lottie and Sinead. She didn’t need to hear him vow to love, honour and protect her for the rest of his life. She knew the big Viking always would.
Sinead blinked away a tear. It didn’t matter that her father was in prison or that her sister was on the run. None of that was important now. For years she had searched for her missing family, but her real family had been here all along – Tim, Summer, Granny O’Sullivan, and now Niall.
Her family. The only ones she would ever need.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to:
Our beloved families, who put up with our absence, without complaining too much.
Cover artist for the Touch novellas, Claire Chilton.
Our agent, Madeleine Milburn.
Our editors Patricia Deevy and Davina Russell, the wonderful staff at Penguin, and online publicist Catherine Ryan Howard.
Website designer and IT support, Seoirse MacGabhann.
John Colgan, for information on weapons and all things military.
Our FL friends, for kinky inspiration – particularly Apulia, Elftitch, JackC, Jeneie, JMagee, MCat, QueenHoneyBee, Suarach, Tenjiku and Zytex.
Our beta readers, Mary, Silje and Claire.
The Corner Table Writers’ Group.
Patricia O’Reilly of UCD.
Caroline’s baby sister Elizabeth McCall and her husband, Michel Guinand, for all things Parisian.
For assistance with the Swiss legal system, journalist Clare O’Dea.
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PENGUIN BOOKS
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First published 2013
Copyright © Eileen Gormley and Caroline McCall, 2013
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ISBN: 978-0-241-96667-9
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