Неизвестно - Megans mate

Excuse me?

What do you think? You haven't told us. And you'd be the most qualified, after all.

Qualified?

It's an account book,

Coco pointed out.

You're an accountant.

Somehow, the logic in that defeated Megan.

It's really none of my business,

she

began, and was drowned out by a chorus of reasons why it certainly was.

Well, I...

She looked around the table, where all eyes were focused on her.

I imagine it

would be an interesting memento and it's kind of fascinating to review bookkeeping from so long ago. You know, expenses, and wages for the staff. It might be interesting to see how it adds up, what the income and outgo was for your family in 1913.

Of course!

Coco clapped her hands.

Why, of course it would. I was thinking about you last night, Meg, while I was casting my runes. It kept coming back to me that you were to take on a project one with numbers.

Aunt Coco,

C.C. said patiently,

Megan is our accountant.

Well, I know that, darling.

With a bright smile, Coco patted her hair.

So at first I

didn't think much of it. But then I kept having this feeling that it was more than that.

And I'm sure, somehow, that the project is going to lead to something wonderful.

Something that will make all of us very happy. I'm so pleased you're going to do it.

Do it?

Megan looked helplessly at her brother. She got a flash of a grin in return.

Study Fergus's book. You could even put it all on computer, couldn't you? Sloan's told us how clever you are.

I could, of course, but

She was interrupted by the cry of a baby through the monitor on the sideboard.

Bianca?

Max said.

Ethan,

C.C. and Lilah said in unison.

And the meeting was adjourned.

What exactly, Megan wondered later, had she agreed to do? Somehow, though she'd barely said a word, she'd been placed in charge of Fergus's book. Surely that was a family matter.

She sighed as she pushed open the doors to her terrace and stepped outside. If she stated that obvious fact, in the most practical, logical of terms, she would be patted on the head, pinched on the cheek and told that she was family and that was all there was to it.

How could she argue?

She took a deep breath of the scented night air, and all but tasted Suzanna's freesias and roses. She could hear the sea in the distance, and the air she moved through was moist and lightly salty from it. Stars wheeled overheard, highlighted by a three-quarter moon, bright as a beacon.

Her son was dreaming in his bed, content and safe and surrounded by people who loved him.

Dissecting Fergus's book was a small favor that couldn't begin to repay what she'd

been given.

Peace of mind. Yes, she thought, the Calhouns had opened the gates to that particular garden.

Too charmed by the night to close it out and sleep, she wandered down the curving stone steps to drift through the moon-kissed roses and star-sprinkled peonies, under an arbor where wisteria twisted triumphantly, raining tiny petals onto the path.

'She was a phantom of delight when first she gleamed upon my sight.'

Megan jolted, pressing a hand on her heart when a shadow separated itself from the other shadows.

Did I startle you?

Nathaniel stepped closer, the red tip of his cigar glowing.

Wordsworth usually has a different effect.

I didn't know you were there.

And wouldn't have come out had she known.

I

thought you'd gone home.

I was passing a little time with Dutch and a bottle of rum.

He stepped fully into the

moonlight.

He likes to complain about Coco, and prefers an audience.

He drew

slowly on his cigar. For a moment, his face was misted by smoke, making it mysterious and beautiful. An angel cast from grace.

Nice night.

Yes, it is. Well...

No need to run off. You wanted to walk in the garden.

He smiled, reaching down

to snap a pale pink peony from its bush.

Since it's nearly midnight, there's no better time for it.

She accepted the blossom, told herself she wouldn't be charmed.

I was admiring

the flowers. I've never had much luck growing them.

You have to put your heart in it along with the water and fertilizer.

Her hair was down, waving softly over her shoulders. She still wore the neatly tailored blue jacket and slacks she'd had on at dinner. A pity, he thought. It would have suited the night, and his mood, if she'd drifted outside in a flowing robe. But then, Megan O'Riley wasn't the type of woman to wander midnight gardens in swirling silks.

Wouldn't let herself be.

The only way to combat those intrusive gray eyes, other than to run like a fool, was conversation.

So, do you garden, as well as sail and quote the classics?

she asked

him.

I've an affection for flowers, among other things.

Nathaniel put a hand over the

peony she held, and lifted it toward him so that he could enjoy its fragrance, and hers. He smiled at her over the feathered petals.

She found herself caught, as if in some slow-motion dream, between the man and the moonlight. The perfume of the garden seemed to rise up and swirl like the breeze, gently invading her senses. Shadows shifted over his face, highlighting all those

fascinating clefts and ridges, luring her gaze to his mouth, curved now and inviting.

They seemed so completely alone, so totally cut off from the reality and responsibilities of day-to-day.

Just a man and a woman among star-dappled flowers and moonlit shadows, and the music of the distant sea.

Deliberately she lowered her lashes, as if to break the spell.

I'm surprised you'd have time for poetry and flowers, with all the traveling.

You can always make time for what counts.

The fact that the night held magic hadn't escaped him. But then, he was open to such things. There'd been times he'd seen water rise out of itself like a clenched fist, times he'd heard the siren song of mar-maids through shifting fog he believed in magic.

Why else had he waited in the garden, knowing, somehow knowing, she would come?

He released the flower, but took her free hand, linking their fingers before she could think of a reason he shouldn't.

Walk with me, Meg. A night like this shouldn't be wasted.

I'm going back in.

She looked back up just as a breeze stirred in the air. Wisteria petals rained down.

Soon.

So she was walking with him in the fairy-lit garden, with a flower in her hand and fragrant petals in her hair.

I... really should check on Kevin.

The boy have trouble sleeping?

No, but—

Bad dreams?

No.

Well, then.

Taking that as an answer, he continued his stroll down the narrow path.

Does having a man flirt with you always make you turn tail and run?

I certainly wasn't running. And I'm not interested in flirtations.

Funny. When you were standing out on the terrace a bit ago, you looked like a woman ready for a little flirting.

She stopped dead.

You were watching me.

Mmm.

Nathaniel crushed his cigar out into the sand of a nearby urn.

I was

thinking it was a shame I didn't have a lute.

Annoyance warred with curiosity.

A lute?

A pretty woman standing on a balcony in the moonlight she should be serenaded.

She had to laugh at that.

I suppose you play the lute.

Nope. Wished I did, though, when I saw you.

He began to walk again. The cliff

curved downward, toward the seawall.

I used to sail by here when I was a kid and look up at The Towers. I liked to think there was a dragon guarding it, and that I'd scale the cliffs and slay him.

Kevin still calls it a castle,

she murmured, looking back.

When I got older and took note of the Calhoun sisters, I figured when I killed the dragon, they'd reward me. In the way a sixteen-year-old walking hormone fantasizes.

She laughed again.

Which one of them?

Oh, all of them.

Grinning, he sat on the low wall, drew her down beside him.

They've always been... remarkable. Holt had this thing for Suzanna, though he wouldn't admit it. Being as he was my friend, I selflessly crossed her off my list.

That left three for me after I conquered that dragon.

But you never did face the dragon?

A shadow passed over his face.

I had another to deal with. I guess you could say we left it at a draw, and I went to sea.

He shook off the mood, and the

uncomfortable past.

But I did have a brief and memorable interlude with the lovely Lilah.

Megan's eyes widened.

You and Lilah?

Right before I left the island. She set out to drive me crazy. I think she was practicing.

He sighed at the memory.

She was damn good at it.

But they were so easy with each other, Megan thought. So relaxed and friendly.

You're so easy to read, Meg.

He chuckled and slipped his arm around her shoulders.

We weren't exactly Romeo and Juliet. I kissed her a few times, did my damnedest to convince her to do mote. She didn't. And she didn't break my heart.

Well, dented it a little, maybe,

he mused.

And Max isn't bothered?

Why would he be? He's got her. If we'd had a flaming affair which we didn't it would be a smoldering matchstick compared to what they've got.

He was right there. Each of the Calhoun women had found her match.

Still, it's

interesting,

she said quietly.

All these connections within connections.

Are you thinking of me, or yourself?

She stiffened, abruptly aware that she was sitting hip-to-hip with him, his arm around her.

That's not something I care to discuss.

Still raw?

He tightened his arm, comforting.

From what I've heard of Dumont, I

wouldn't think he'd be worth it. Settle down, he said when she jerked away.

We'll

let it go. Too nice a night to uncover old wounds. Why don't you tell me how they talked you into taking on that old account book?

How do you know about that?

Holt and Suzanna filled me in.

She was still rigid, he noted. But she wasn't running.

I saw them before they left.

She relaxed a little. It was comforting to discuss it with someone else who was just that small step outside the family.

I don't know how they talked me into it. I barely opened my mouth.

Your first mistake.

She huffed out a breath.

I'd have had to shout to be heard. I don't know why they call it a meeting, when all they do is argue.

Her brows knit.

Then they stop arguing

and you realize you've been sucked in. If you try to pull yourself out, you find they've united in this solid wall that's impossible to beat.

I know just what you mean. I still don't know if it was my i.e. to go into business with Holt. The notion came up, was debated, voted on and approved. The next thing I knew, I was signing papers.

Interesting, she mused, and studied his strong profile.

You don't strike me as

someone who could be talked into anything.

I could say the same.

She considered a moment, then gave up.

You're right. The book's fascinating. I can hardly wait to get at it.

I hope you're not planning on letting it take up all your free time.

He toyed with the

ends of her blowing hair. No, not red, he mused. It was gold, enriched by quiet fire.

I want some of it.

Cautiously she inched away.

I explained to you, I'm not interested.

What you are is worried because you are interested.

He cupped a hand under her

chin and turned her to face him.