Phone to my ear, I listened as Kiera told me she was returning my call. It had been too difficult to tell her about whathappened to Taran in Oban last Saturday, but I wanted her to be aware of the possible situation and be vigilant with the kids. I’d called her several times, but she hadn’t been around to pick up. Now, I relayed everything.
“You really think it could be Eoghan?”
Kiera had obviously been around for the entire tragic incident and the aftermath of Eoghan trying to blame me and Forde.
“We have no other suspects. Just … keep an eye on the kids.”
“They’re really looking forward to seeing you on Friday but … Quinn, is it safe?”
“Do we let this person dictate our actions? Normally I’d be extra cautious, Kiera, but this is my last weekend with Heather before she leaves for uni.”
“I know. And I know you’re the best person to look after them. Angus would throw a fit if we cancelled. He’s been talking about seeing you nonstop.”
Pleased, I smiled at my feet, anticipating seeing my son in just a few short days.
“He likes Taran.” My ex-wife’s tone was tentative.
“Good. She likes him too.” I cleared my throat. “Speaking of Angus, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I need you to have a word with Gary about this ice rink thing.”
Kiera’s sigh was a weary one. “Och, don’t you think I already have? Gary … he means well, Quinn. He adores Angus and just wants the best for him.”
“He’s also fairly new to the Highlands and doesn’t understand how these things work. I want my son to dream and shoot for those dreams, but I don’t want someone filling him with hope for something that won’t happen and will only break his heart.”
“I know,” Kiera agreed. “Gary and I had a bit of an argument about it on Sunday. He gets it now. He’ll stop. I mean, he’s stillgoing to follow through with the petition, but he’s not going to mention it to Angus anymore.”
“Good. I don’t mean to be a prick about it.”
“You’re his dad. You get to ask about these things.”
There went my ex-wife proving again how cool she was. How lucky I was that this was the state of play between us. Knowing how bad things were between Murray and his ex made me extra grateful for Kiera.
“He loves Angus, Quinn. Know that your son has three parents who love him very much and just want the best for him.”
“I do. I know that.”
“Maybe … maybe one day it’ll be four parents …”
It was strange how not strange it was talking to Kiera about this, considering Taran had been the reason our marriage was over long before it ever legally ended. Maybe because she was one of only three people who really understood what happened to us. “I’m not getting my hopes up.”
“She still loves you.”
My heart stopped. “How … how do you know that?”
“Because … Taran Macbeth has always looked at you like you hung the moon. She still does. I don’t think even she’s aware of it.”
Christ, I wanted that to be true.
“Selfishly, I want you two to get back together so I can forgive myself for my part in it.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Kiera.”
“I think there is.” Her tone was sad, remorseful. “I wouldn’t change having Heather and Angus … but I would change how it happened. For Taran. For you. For me.”
“We can’t.”
“I know. But I can hope that you’ll get her back, Quinn. I’m happy, and I just want you to be happy too. Taran, as well.”
Emotion thickened my throat.
