Something collapsed within her, like rocks sloughing off a cliff and tumbling into the ocean.
Scenes flooded her mind.
Mr. Chen warning her of the dangers of packing fireworks. “You must be most careful, Jamie. The slightest spark andboosh.” He mimicked an explosion.
BOOM!
Kieran laughing, racing along the beach in Rio, turning to her. “Will ye tell me about the fireworks tonight, lass? Or must I kiss it out of ye?” His face was so boyishly endearing . . .lovewantdesireraced through her. How could her heart ever withstand him?
BOOM!
Kieran standing before her, their hands bound together as they plighted their vows. “I will always love ye, lass,” he whispered. “There will never be anyone for me but you. I will never let ye go.”
Love flooded her, scouring her heart of any other emotion. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him through her tears.
BOOM!
Her hand picking up a lit taper and lighting the end of a fuse.
“This is your wedding surprise, wife?” Kieran laughed, lounging on the beach sand, hands behind his head. “I should have guessed ye would have contrived fireworks, in truth, on our wedding night.”
Grinning, she sat back, resting her head on his shoulder as the charge exploded overhead, an expanding flower of light. “Only for yourself, Kieran, my love.”
BOOM!
Eilidh pressed a shaking hand over her mouth.
The fireworks, the crowd, Simon . . .
The lawn, the estate . . . the whole world receded.
She closed her eyes as a tidal wave of emotion swept through her—colors swirling, her mind expanding and growing and snapping to accept the onslaught.
Image and scene and emotion blasted through every last vestige of numbness, a blurring whir of . . .everything.
Kieran racing across the deck, grinning from ear to ear.
Kieran laughing as she pulled him down for a kiss.
Kieran smiling as she slipped into his cabin, hands reaching for her.
Kieran pressing a kiss to her belly, whispering, “You are loved, little one.”
Kieran . . .
Kieran . . .
Kieran . . .
Oh!
And there it was.
BOOM!
Love exploded in her heart.
Shining. Bright. Incandescent.
