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Thomas nodded and said, “Just a minute, Becky.” Turning to face Cillian and leaning forward, he said, “Think about it, Cillian. Talk with her. I won’t be around forever, you and Eva are the future of this world, and it needs strong leaders. These are the tough choices you will both face. I have faith you’ll make the right decisions... You still have that item I gave you?”
Cillian inhaled deeply. “I do.”
Thomas cleared his throat and leaned back, clutching the arm of the chair. “Good. I want you to know I never wanted this feud, Cillian. I think we were all scared, and I’m so damn sorry I didn’t try to find peace sooner. Don’t have the same regrets I do, kid. If you have a chance for peace and to do the right thing, take it.”
Cillian stood and gripped his father’s shoulder. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll come by tomorrow to see you.”
“I’d like that. I love you, kid.”
Cillian smiled. “I love you too, Dad.” As he moved to the door, he passed Becky and said, “Take good care of him.”
Her brown eyes lit up. “It’s good to have you home, Cillian. I’ll stop by this afternoon to check on Eva, I have a salve for her ankle.”
Cillian nodded. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
Becky smiled, her eyes going wide. “Oh, I almost forgot, I rounded up some clothes and personal items for her. I’ll bring them with me.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Becky, see you in a bit.”
Cillian turned and shut the door behind him, then rested his head against the wood. He had a lot to think about. A lot that could change the course of not only the war and the settlements but his own life. He squeezed his eyes shut and resisted the urge to slam his fist into the wall. Why couldn’t things ever be simple?
By the time Cillian made it back to the cabin, big snowflakes were falling from the sky. He would talk to his brother Liam tomorrow. Right now, his brain was working overtime, trying to think of the best way to talk to Eva about the peace treaty.
His muscles tensed as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Eva was sitting up in bed, petting Axel, who was practically lying in her lap.
He snorted. “Best friends now, are you?”
As Eva scratched Axel’s chin, she smiled. His best friend rolled over onto his back, stuck his feet straight up in the air, and let his tongue hang out of the side of his mouth. When she giggled at his position, Cillian’s heart skipped a beat at the sound.
He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face or stop the words that flew out of his mouth. “You can look as cute as you want, Axel, but she’s still mine. You can’t have her.”
As soon as he realized what he’d said, he snapped his jaw shut. She was looking at him, her features serious now. They stayed like that for several seconds before he turned to hang his coat, then moved to the kitchen.
Pretending like he hadn’t just tried to claim her, he said, “Have you eaten? I was thinking about making something. It won’t be the meals you’re accustomed to at Everwood, but I can promise your stomach won’t be growling after.”
“Food sounds good, but I’m anxious to hear how the conversation went with your father.”
“How about eggs and potatoes?” He laughed. “Eggs are the one food we seem to have enough of.”
He opened the cabinet, removed the items, and set them on the counter. As he peeled the potatoes, he heard Eva move off the bed and her soft, uneven footsteps as she walked toward him.She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her.
“It’s bad, isn’t it? It’s okay.” She took a deep breath. “I can handle it.”
He nodded. “Why don’t you sit down, we’ll talk.” He motioned for her to sit in the chair near the fireplace.
Once she was settled, he added a couple logs to the fire and stoked the coals. Then he turned to her and knelt on one knee, taking her hands in his. He looked to the floor and swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. She deserved the right words.
“Cillian, what’s going on?”
He rubbed his thumb over her silky skin as he considered his options, his skin heating as the seconds ticked by. Just tell her how you feel!
Mustering up his courage, he said, “Eva, I know our relationship is complicated and we still have a lot to learn about each other. I know you’re confused and hurt by all that has happened.”
Her mouth parted, and she inhaled slowly, as if she knew what his next words would be. “Cillian—”
He reached out and took hold of a lock of her hair. “But I hope I have become someone you can trust and rely on.”
His eyes moved up the column of her neck, and he watched her heart beat beneath her skin. “And dare I say, maybe even care for.”
