Indivisible Souls: Book 3 of the Bound4Ireland Series

by Tricia Daniels

  “Sorry,” the technician interrupts. “I don’t mean to intrude on your private conversation, but you were thinking about terminating this pregnancy last week?”

  “Yes,” Olivia admits feeling remorseful.

  “I see. Then I assume this your first ultrasound?”

  “Yes.”

  “How far along did you think you were?” he asks, stoically.

  Olivia glances over at Ethan’s now concerned look. “About four or five weeks. Why?”

  “Well,” he begins to explain. “Although the baby is small, development wise, I would estimate you to be around twenty weeks. A lot of clinics won’t do terminations after that point.” He wipes the gel off her stomach. “You’re all done. Come back right away if you have any pain or bleeding, but otherwise, everything looks good. I’d follow up with your OB/GYN in a few days.”

  “Twenty weeks?” Olivia asks stunned. Ethan scratches his head, trying to do the math. “Are you absolutely sure?”

  “Yes, I’m fairly certain. Based on development of the organs and heart. She’s a little small, but I’m pretty sure I’m accurate. They’ll do another ultrasound in a few months and check on the progress. I’ll send the full report to your doctor.” Tossing his gloves in the garbage, he leaves the room.

  Olivia closes her eyes and curses quietly.

  “Is there something you want to tell me?”

  “I don’t know what you’re thinking O’Connell, but you’re the only man I’ve had sex with in three years, so this baby is yours.”

  A brief moment of doubt passes when he looks into her eyes. He somehow knows it to be true.

  She looks at him apologetically. “I guess, I wasn’t safe after all.”

  Leaning down, he presses his lips against her cold belly and gives it a kiss. “He said, she,” he says delighted.

  “Yes, he did.” She runs her fingertips playfully through his hair.

  Ethan sits up, looking alarmed. “Christ, I’m in a lot of trouble.”

  “Indeed.”

  Ethan climbs into bed beside her and pulls her onto his lap.

  “I remember what happened tonight,” she whispers.

  He strokes her hair. “Tell me.”

  “I was just so upset, I needed to get away.”

  “I figured as much. Where did you end up?”

  “I was heading to your place and I just kept driving. I ended up on a dirt road somewhere.”

  “You were lost?”

  “No, not really. I know the road I was on eventually ends up in a small town about an hour from here. It was dark and the road was wet and full of potholes. I slowed down and turned around.”

  He holds her against him, caressing her back. “Okay, so then how did you get hurt?”

  She turns her face further into his chest and mumbles something.

  “What?”

  She repeats it again. “I couldn’t hit the brakes…” the rest is mumbles.

  He leans forward sitting her upright on his lap. “One more time. Without mumbling this time, please.”

  She sighs in embarrassment. “Bunnies ran out in front of me.”

  “Bunnies? As in more than one?”

  “Yes,” she frowns.

  “Oh,” he says, confused. “That’s tragic.” He pauses then asks the question that’s on his mind. “Sweetheart, are you trying to tell me that bunnies fucked up my car like that?”

  “No. Because that would be ridiculous,” she says annoyed. “Can I finish my story?”

  “I’m sorry,” he kisses the top of her head. “Go ahead.”

  “It was dark, I didn’t see them until it was too late. I couldn’t hit the brakes, because on that loose gravel, I would have hit the shoulder and rolled that Hellcat, for sure.”

  “Jesus, you must have been driving at quite a speed.”

  She avoids the comment. “The whole family was crossing the road together. I hit the momma and then I heard all the babies… thump thump thump thump!”

  He cringes at her description of them bouncing off the undercarriage of the car. “Is that when you got hurt?”

  “No, be patient,” she says frustrated.

  “Patient? Have we met?”

  She pinches him and makes him jump. “Ouch! Okay, so then what happened?”

  “I lifted my feet.”

  “So you don’t get dead bunny on them.”

  “Exactly!”

  He can’t help himself this time and laughs out loud.

  “Don’t make fun of me,” she pouts.

  “Can we fast forward to the part where you tell me how you got hurt and demolished my car?”

  She frowns. “I was watching their little bodies bouncing on the road in the rear view mirror. I stopped the car and got out.”

  “Why?”

  “I dunno. To see if there were any survivors, I guess.” She leans back into his chest again and twists his t-shirt around her fingers.

  “I don’t suspect there were any. And how did you get hurt?” he asks, becoming even more impatient.

  Her voice gets soft and it starts to quiver. “There were little dead bunnies, everywhere. They were so tiny.” She sighs, then takes a deep breath and continues. “One little guy wasn’t dead. He was laying there all twitchy and looking at me with sad baby bunny eyes.”

  “Fast forward further,” he suggests.

  “I was tired and upset. I got back into the car and I guess I was driving pretty fast and that’s when it jumped out at me.”

  “For fuck’s sake, woman! What?”

  “Bambi. He came out of nowhere.”

  “I see. That would explain the damage. You could have been seriously hurt. You’re lucky you didn’t knock yourself out cold, if you hit hard enough to split your head open like that,” he scolds.

  She says nothing and he takes her silence as an admission of guilt. He sits her forward, so he can see her face. “Olivia? Were you unconscious at all?”

  She shrugs her shoulders and avoids eye contact. “I don’t know. I mean. I remember feeling my head bounce off the window. When I opened my eyes I was covered in blood.”

  “Jesus. You shouldn’t have driven home!” The anger is noticeable in his voice. “Why didn’t you call me?”

  She frowns. “You’re upset with me.”

  He gets control of the angry feeling and pushes it to the back of his mind, for now. “Yes, I’m upset,” he says. “But we’ll talk about it tomorrow. Right now you need to get some rest.”

  He lifts her off his lap and gently places her back down beside him on the bed. He pulls the blankets over her and lifts her hand, kissing it and holding it to his lips. “I’m just really glad that you came back home to me safe and sound.” He scratches his head. “Well… somewhat safe and sound.”

  “What do you mean, you let him go?” Ethan hollers at the officer the next morning.

  Olivia squeezes his arm, a reminder to curb his anger.

  “Mr. O’Connell,” the officer warns. “You were supposed to come to the station last night. We couldn’t hold him for more than twenty-four hours. He did nothing illegal last night.”

  “Not last night, but you’ve read the file. You know what he did to her.”

  “Allegedly did to her, and might I remind you, Miss James never pressed charges.”

  “He’s right, Ethan,” Olivia says sadly

  Ethan’s nostrils flare. “What about the break-in at the house?”

  “There’s no evidence that he’s guilty of that either.”

  “So that’s it then? He walks free and you’re going to do nothing?”

  “Mr. O’Connell, I understand your frustration. Miss James can contact a lawyer and begin the paperwork to apply for a restraining order.”

  “And how is that going to help? By the time you get there, she could be dead.” The words are no sooner out of his mouth and he wishes he could take them back. He glances over at Olivia’s horrified expression. “I’m sorry, Sweetheart. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
>
  “It’s okay,” she sighs. “It’s the truth, and I’ve got no one to blame but myself. I should have dealt with it three years ago.”

  “The police failed you. They should have hunted him down and charged him,” he says agitated. “You were in no condition physically or emotionally to take that on.”

  “Mr. O’Connell.” the constable interrupts. “We’re done here.”

  Ethan holds on to the steering wheel of the Mustang so tightly that his knuckles turn white.

  “Just tell me why?” Olivia insists.

  “Because I have to go back for this event, that’s why.”

  “But what about the work still to be done at the house? And getting the Hellcat fixed?”

  “Scott’s going to look after all that,” he says decisively.

  “Ethan, please,” she begs.

  “I’m sure as hell not going back without you while that lunatic is running around free. And you’re going to start taking some sort of self-defense classes as soon as we get there. This discussion is over.”

  Olivia pouts and as always, it tugs on Ethan’s heartstrings. “Geez, would you stop that? I have this charity event to attend, and I want you by my side. Not to mention that my sisters are driving me crazy. They want me to bring you home.”

  “Okay,” she concedes, still looking dismal.

  Ethan sighs, feeling like a tyrant. “What if I promise to fly your sister and your friends out to spend Christmas with us?”

  “That’s a long ways away.”

  “A little more than two months. I don’t know what my schedule is going to be like, maybe we can come back for Thanksgiving.”

  Olivia frowns. “We already missed that. Canadian Thanksgiving was at the beginning of October.”

  “Sorry, Love. I forgot. You should have said something. It’s a North American holiday, so I wasn’t thinking about it.

  Olivia shrugs. “When do we leave?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Olivia steps out of the terminal and is smothered by hugs.

  Ethan folds his arms. “I remember the days you all used to be happy to see me.”

  “Pffft. We’re only happy when you come home because you make the rest of us look quiet and well behaved,” McKenna remarks.

  “Nice,” Ethan says, feeling hurt.

  “I’m happy to see you!” Kaylie chirps, throwing her arms around him.

  “Thank you, Kaylie.” Ethan squeezes her tightly and lifts her off the ground.

  “And you’re making me an auntie, twice in one year.”

  Ethan tenses as he lowers her to the ground. “I’m sorry,” she frowns, “I guess you’re not so happy about that.”

  Olivia smiles and takes Kaylie by the hand. “Oh, he’s terrified that this one is going to be a girl. Can you imagine?”

  “I would imagine she’ll be quite the little daddy’s girl,” McKenna muses.

  “I can guarantee it,” Olivia chuckles.

  “I can’t wait to teach her how to dance,” Maddie adds.

  Ethan shakes his head as he loads their luggage into the car. “Holy Hannah, she’s not even born yet, and you already have her wrapping me around her finger, wearing ballerina slippers.”

  “Pretty much,” McKenna laughs.

  “Speaking of dancing, Ethan booked you a lesson tomorrow night,” Maddie advises.

  Olivia flashes him a look. “Really?”

  Ethan shrugs. “We’ve only got a few days to the charity event. I figured we shouldn’t waste any time.”

  “Dress shopping!” Maddie screams from the back seat.

  “Ugh.” Olivia frowns. “I doubt I’ll find anything suitable in the maternity section.”

  “You’re joking, right?” Maddie says. “You’re four months pregnant and you don’t even show.”

  Ethan reaches over and lifts Olivia’s hand to his mouth, giving it a tender kiss. “You don’t look any different than the day I met you. I doubt you’ve gained any weight. Have you?”

  Olivia hesitates, not wanting to answer.

  “Liv?” He prompts.

  “I’ve lost twelve pounds.”

  Clearly uncomfortable with her answer, Ethan adjusts his position in the seat. “I’m going to get John to make you an appointment with Dr. Cameron. You’re losing weight, and the technician clearly said that the baby is small. Let’s have a really thorough check-up and make sure that you’re both okay.”

  Olivia nods and looks out the window, wanting to put an end to the discussion.

  It’s a quiet drive up the long driveway that leads to the O’Connell home. Aiden and Anna are waiting on the front step. Olivia becomes very nervous. “Oh boy,” she whispers anxiously.

  “It’s okay,” Maddie assures her from the back seat. “They know everything and they’re actually kind of excited.”

  Shocked, they turn to look at her. Ethan gives her a questioning look. “Dad doesn’t get excited about anything.”

  “He’s been different lately, Ethan. You’ll see,” Kaylie gleams.

  Anna’s warm smile puts Olivia at ease as she gets out of the car. Ethan holds the door for her and extends his hand for support as she steps up on the small paved curb. Establishing eye contact with his father, Ethan nods. He doesn’t look any different to him. The same stern, stoic look greets him.

  “Why is she carrying her own luggage?” Aiden asks in a hard tone.

  Confused Ethan looks down at the bag on Olivia’s shoulder.

  “Oh, this is not luggage, Mr. O’Connell,” Olivia explains. “It’s my purse…well, purse, slash, laptop bag.”

  Aiden continues to lock eyes with Ethan; a look that reduces him to feeling like a small boy again. “It looks heavy.”

  Immediately Ethan takes the bag from her shoulder and carries it himself.

  As Olivia reaches the patriarch of the family, she ignores his stiff military stance. She wraps her arms around him and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Welcome home,” he says, trying to maintain his impassive expression.

  Despite his apathetic look, there’s a sparkle in his eyes; one that she’s seen before in the eyes of his son. “Home,” she says with a smile, as Anna takes her hand and leads her into the house. “I like the sound of that.”

  As Ethan walks past his father, Aiden raises his eyebrows. “She prefers to do stuff for herself, Dad. She’s very independent,” Ethan explains.

  “No excuses, Son. She’s having your baby. You treat her right.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Aiden pats him on the back as he continues past. “Good. Once you’re settled back in, I want to talk to you about the business.”

  Ethan looks down at his father’s hand on his shoulder, it’s a gesture he hasn’t witnessed in a long time and he becomes concerned. “Oh? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, of course. But your mother and I’ve been thinking. Now that there’s a grandbaby on the way, maybe it’s time to consider retiring.”

  “You? Retire?” Ethan asks shocked.

  “I’m old and tired son; time for me to start gearing down. Learn to enjoy life. Maybe take your mother away and rekindle the romance a little.” He gives him a little wink and a smile.

  Ethan enters the parlor with an unidentifiable expression on his face. Shock. Horror. Trauma.

  “Is everything okay?” Olivia whispers, when no one is looking.

  “I’m not sure, but I think my father has been abducted. We should look for pods, immediately.”

  Olivia snorts, causing everyone to look up. She covers her mouth, trying to quiet her laughter. “That bad?”

  “You have no idea.”

  The next day, Maddie stands at the door to the dance studio, watching Olivia make her way up the three flights of stairs.

  “Are you okay?” she asks worried.

  “Jet lag and the time difference, I think. I didn’t sleep very well.”

  “Olivia, if it’s too much, we don’t have to do this.”
>
  “I’m here now. We might as well.”

  “Okay, but if you start feeling worse, you need to let me know.”

  The door opens and a flustered woman stomps in and begins to put on her dancing shoes.

  “Please tell me Michael is coming back.”

  Madison frowns. “No, I’m sorry. But Imelda is an awesome partner.”

  Olivia wrinkles her nose. “Well, if you say so. But if you ask me…there are two, too many ovaries in this partnership.”

  Three hours later, and completely exhausted, Olivia arrives at the Dublin flat with her hormones raging. Feeling like she lacks the necessary feminine grace to dance, she’s discouraged.

  Ethan is waiting for her in the living room, but she doesn’t feel like talking. She avoids him all together and goes straight to the bedroom. When she doesn’t return, he goes looking for her, finding her in the darkness, with the covers over her head.

  “Everything okay, Liv?”

  “No,” she sniffles.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No.”

  He grasps the edge of the blanket but she tightens her grip, stopping him from pulling it away from her face.

  “You’ll feel better.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  Ethan sits on the side of the bed and waits. “I’ve already talked to Maddie. I know what’s going on.”

  Olivia pulls the blanket off her face, angrily. “I’m quitting dance lessons.”

  “I thought you wanted to learn how to dance?”

  “I do. But it’s no use,” she says sadly.

  Ethan pulls back the covers and slips in beside her.

  “It’s a disaster,” she whispers.

  He wraps his arms around her and pulls her against his chest. “There’s nothing about you that’s a disaster, Love. I think you’re just a little tired and overwhelmed.”

  His Irish accent calms the bubbling, emotional uprising taking place inside her.

  “Go back for one more lesson tomorrow. I promise, it’ll be better.”

  “I can’t do anything right,” she squeaks, trying to hold back the tears.

  “Shhh, now. That’s not true. It just feels like it at the moment. Let me help you get settled, and once you’ve had a good night’s sleep, you’ll feel better.”