Katie wanted to ask a lot more than the story behind those tattoos.The Ian Finnegan she’d known had preferred a clean jaw, short hair, and designer clothes.So many questions, but it would take an order of sliders, and two glasses of wine before Katie could even consider confronting the man who’d destroyed her world.What would she say?
What are you doing here?
How dare you?No, that would imply she cared that he was in Magdalena.Must stay cool.
So, you’ve been bartending?I always did wonder where you’d end up.Nope, he’d think she’d never forgotten him.Can’t have that.
Nice tattoos.I never pictured you with a beard or long hair.Actually, I forgot what you looked like…I forgot what you looked like?Ha, talk about a fabrication.She wished shecouldforget what he looked like…
What about a simpleGo away.Stay away.You have no right to be in our town?
Katie nibbled on her sliders as Ava chatted about the baby, her new river rocks projects, the Bolognese that Law made the other night that she labeledexquisite.With the exception of a few nods and the occasional,Sounds great, lucky you, andkeep me posted, Katie concentrated on her food and her current dilemma who stood half a room away, serving guests, laughing, and fixing drinks.The barstools were filled with women—young, old, middle-aged, all vying for his attention.What would those women say if they knew he was a user who didn’t care about relationships or breaking someone’s heart?
No doubt, many wouldn’t care.
“Katie?Hey?”Ava placed a hand on the table, leaned forward.“I almost forgot.Law wants to know if you’re featuring a holiday soup.”
A blonde in a shrink-wrapped dress reached across the bar and clasped Ian’s wrist, ran her fingers along his forearm….
“Katie?Hello?”
She dragged her gaze away, focused on her friend.“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Big sigh and a shake of her dark head.“Who do you think you’re talking to?What’s going on?Did you meet somebody when you were in Chicago?”Her gaze narrowed, her voice turning suspicious.“Did Roman introduce you to one of his colleagues?My brother knows everybody, and I’ve been telling him he needs to find somebody for you.You spend enough time in Chicago to make the whole long-distance thing work.So…?”The smile slid across her lips, spread to her eyes.“Spill.You met somebody, and my brother’s behind it, isn’t he?”
“No, sorry, nobody in Chicago.”Roman Ventori was a class act; handsome, a loving husband and father, a great brother.But he wouldnotget involved in other people’s personal business, and he’d told Katie that the first time she’d visited Chicago.Just so you know, you’re safe with me.My sister thinks everybody needs a special someone, and for some reason, she thinks I can help you find one.I’ll never do that to you.My wife, on the other hand, will definitely try, so do not tell her you’re unattached.I’m not saying lie, but should you have the opportunity to meet her, avoid the subject.
And that’s how Katie and Roman Ventori began their friendship.
Katie spent the rest of the night focusing on Ava and avoiding the bar area.She’d find a way to confront Ian Finnegan and let him know just how much he wasn’t welcome in this town.Not tonight though.Seeing him again—even if he looked nothing like she remembered—unsettled her, and she needed time and distance to control her emotions.
She wasn’t nineteen anymore, and she definitely wasn’t gullible or too trusting.And she didn’t fall for phrases like meant-to-be and happily-ever-after.But when Ian Finnegan approached them a short while later, his nearness stole her oxygen, made her lightheaded.And that look that homed in on her as though he could decipher every single thought in her head?She gulped her wine, tried to block out that intense stare.
“Ian, I’d like you to meet my friend, Katie Layton.”
The man who’d once promised her a future, extended a hand.No smile, no words.Katie hesitated an extra second before placing her hand in his.The grip was firm, confident, and somehow personal.But it was those darned eyes that unsettled her.She cleared her throat, kept her voice even, as though she were speaking to a stranger.“Welcome to Magdalena.Will you be staying long?”Oh, you will not be staying.
A pause, followed by a soft, “I’m sort of playing it by ear.”One more dark gaze, and then he turned to Ava.“Nice to see you again.Tell that husband of yours I said hello.”And then he turned and headed back to the bar and the women waving their wine glasses at him.
“There’s something mysterious and sexy about him, don’t you think?”
Katie stared at Ian Finnegan’s back, remembered the tears and pain he’d caused.“I couldn’t say.”She finished her wine, glanced at Ava.“Now do you want to split one of those monster chocolate chip cookies?”
Her friend’s laugh drowned out memories of the man she wanted to forget.“Do you think half will be enough for us?I mean, they’re warm and chocolatey, and I might want a whole one.”Another laugh.“You’re the only other person I know who checks out the dessert menubeforethe meal.”
“That’s why we get along so well.”Katie leaned toward Ava, whispered, “It’s all about the sugar.”
“Of course it is.”Ava’s face lit up, her whisper matching Katie’s.“And speaking of sugar, isn’t Ian Finnegan sweet deliciousness?”
No.No, he was not.
“Katie?Just think about the guy…I saw the way he was looking at you.”Pause and a loud whisper.“I think he’s into you.”
Katie clutched her fist in her lap, steadied her breathing.Ava meant well, but she had no idea what she was saying.Small-town life made it impossible to remain anonymous.Everybody either knew your business or knew somebody who did.While Katie enjoyed the travel her job required, big-city life wasn’t for her.She wanted to drink her morning coffee on the front porch, listen to night sounds from the back deck, and spend time in her vegetable garden.The cabin on the outskirts of town had been her very own sanctuary for years.
But less than twenty-four hours since her return, that sense of peace and well-being was threatened by the arrival of the man who’d destroyed her belief in love and happily-ever-after.He’d almost destroyed her, too, but that was not happening again; she wouldn’t let it.
Katie should have leftO’Reilly’s with Ava, but no, she’d been so spun up about seeing Ian Finnegan again that she walked to her car and waited an hour for him to finish his shift.What sort of crazy fool does that?What if the man didn’t finish until after midnight?Would she have really sat in her car for two and a half hours?She should have driven home, gotten a decent night’s sleep, and come up with a game plan to confront him tomorrow.But when had she ever been rational when this man was concerned?She wanted him gone, and the sooner she found outwhyhe was here, the quicker she could convince him to leave.
