I look forlornly at the package. “A gift from Lachlan. He wants me to open it later.” I put it in my pocket. It feels hot and heavy like a burning coal. I’m vividly aware of its presence, preoccupied with the thought of a gift from him.
He touched this. It was in his pocket, just a moment ago. It’s for me.
“Anyhow, came to get you for cake. The little ones are getting antsy.” Music filters through speakers, a slow waltz that makes my heart ache.
“Right, then,” I say with a smile. “Thank you.”
We walk back under the tent.
“I thought it’d be different, Sheena.” If I can’t confide in my older sister, who can I?
“What?”
I sigh. “Being eighteen.”
“You mean Lachlan.” She’s not one to beat around the bush.
“Aye. I mean… he’s always been a bit distant, but I thought—well, I mean—” I bite my lip.
Way to botch things up, Fiona.
“I thought now that I’m eighteen…” my voice trails off.
“Ah, lass, don’t you see,” Sheena says, taking my hand with a sad smile. “It’s because you’re eighteen. He’s a man of honor, Fiona. He abides by a code he’d die before he’d break. And no way on God’s green earth he’d have touched you when you were still a child.”
“Still a child?” I ask. “Sheena, nothing changed overnight.”
I purse my lips and shake my head. This is preposterous.
She sighs sadly. “Not so, love. Everything changed last night. Now here you are, with nothing to hold him back from you but his own convictions.”
“Well that’s bollox,” I say hotly.
She laughs out loud. “Be patient, Fiona. Good things come to those who wait.”
“Never my strong suit,” I mutter. Isn’t she full of platitudes and clichés today? Bloody hell.
I go through the motions of eating cake and unwrapping presents. I try to enjoy the party as best I can, but my mind is elsewhere.
I sneak away at the first possible opportunity. After cake and presents, I quietly make my way to the greenhouse when the party’s still in full swing. I can’t wait any longer to see what he got me.
My hands tremble when I unwrap it. There’s a black velvet box beneath the paper. I can’t breathe. I’m frozen in place, staring at the beautiful box, before I can move. I’ve imagined an engagement ring, and in my teen fantasies even scrawled my name in diaries, only to rip them out and tear them into tiny little pieces.
Fiona McCarthy
Fiona McCarthy
Fiona McCarthy
Finally, curiosity kills me, and I slowly open the lid.
I gasp when a stream of light from the window gleams on the locket nestled against black velvet. It’s a rose gold oval, heavy in my palm, carved with intricate Celtic knots. Holding my breath, with trembling fingers, I open the locket.
Inside is a picture of me. But it isn’t today’s me. I’m just a teen. There’s nothing else.
I open the card, my heart stuttering just looking at his straight, bold, masculine script. I can hear his brogue and the deep timbre of his voice in the words on paper. I tremble a little. This feels intimate. It’s the most intimacy I’ve ever had with him.Dear Fiona,Happy eighteenth birthday.
I thought for a long time about what I wanted to give you. I knew it had to be something special… to commemorate your moving from childhood into adulthood. And when I saw this locket in the jeweler’s, I knew it was yours.
It’s unique, one of a kind… like you.
It’s sturdy and strong… like you.
And it’s beautiful… like you.
Inside I put a picture of you when you were just thirteen, the year I met you. I want you to remember that girl. Whenever you’re sad, or lonely, or scared, look at her. And remember how far you’ve come.With love,
LachlanMy hand shakes as I remove it and slide it over my head. I close my eyes and draw in a breath.
I read the note over and over again, until I have it memorized, but there are two lines I will never forget.It’s beautiful… like you.
With love, Lachlan.Chapter 2LachlanI leave when the party’s in full swing, even though my heart wants to be right here. With my family. My brothers.
Fiona.
Boner and Tully, two of my Clan brothers, are waiting for me at the Craic.
I never go anymore. I used to, when I was younger, but now even looking at the women there feels like a betrayal to Fiona.
But that has to change.
I can’t think of her that way. Never should have to begin with.
Up until today, it was easy enough to tell myself that she was too young for me. That my feelings for her were no more than brotherly affection. That I’d take care of her for no other reason than because it was the right thing to do.
It wasn’t until we took her family away from Stone City, to the McCarthy family mansion of Ballyhock, that things began to really change.