First and Only (Callaghan Brothers #2)

“I can’t hurt you again!” he yelled. “I won’t!”


“You didn’t hurt me, Ian. That was all my fault. And I wanted it, all of it. I still do. The only way you can hurt me is by turning away from me now. Please, Ian. I need you to hold me. I need to feel your heart beating against mine.”

More than anything, Ian wanted to take her into his arms and show her exactly how much she meant to him, but his legs wouldn’t move. As much as his heart cried out for her, his brain still flashed visions of her lying in that hospital bed, looking like she’d been tortured. What if he lost control again? He couldn’t take the chance.

Very quietly, Lexi nodded, a silent affirmation that her worst fears had been realized. Her hands dropped to her sides. With slow, heavy movements, she walked around him to the crib where Patrick was now crying. Lifting him up to her, she padded toward the door and out into the softly lit hallway. She paused, but did not turn around.

“I’m sorry, Ian,” she whispered softly. “But I want a husband, not a housemate.” Then she was gone.





Chapter Twenty-Seven




“Francesco D’Armini?” Aidan said in disbelief as the private limo crossed the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. “Why don’t you just plunge the knife into my back again and twist a little harder?”

“We’ve been over this, Aidan. Patrick needs to be near his father,” she said wearily.

“So he can’t move to Benton?”

“I don’t want him in Benton. He has a life here – a home, a job, a family. If he came to Benton he’d expect to move in with me, and that is so not happening.”

“You don’t think he’s going to want to live with you here?” Aidan asked, shaking his head. “I thought you were smarter than that, Lex.”

“There’s no reason for him to,” she sniffed. “And he’s already agreed to move back to the Pub.” Lexi had made it a condition of her and Patrick’s permanent relocation to Pine Ridge. Ian would get to spend every day with his son, and she wouldn’t have to deal with his rejection.

Aidan snorted. “You haven’t actually signed anything with Francesco yet, have you?”

“No. I was planning to talk to him once we got settled.”

“Do me a favor, will you? Don’t call Francesco just yet.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve got an idea. Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.”

“What idea?”

He sighed heavily. “Lex, we have always been there for each other, haven’t we?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then please, just do this for me.”

“Alright, Aidan. I’ll wait. But I do wish you’d tell me what’s going on in that devious mind of yours.”

Aidan smiled and patted her hand. “Soon, Lex. Soon.”

––––––––

Three Months Later, Fourth of July, County Fair, Pine Ridge, PA

“Wow, he’s pretty fast for a six-month old,” Lina commented as Patrick made his way across the huge quilt spread out under the massive shade trees on his hands and knees, trying to get to his slightly older, larger cousins. Lina’s and Stacey’s sons were about the same age. Keely’s twin boys were just a bit younger, but nearly as large, and seemed to have adopted Patrick as one of their own.

“Yeah, he is,” laughed Lexi. “He started crawling at five months, and he hasn’t stopped since. I’m just glad he’s got more of his father in him than me,” she added as Lina’s son reached out to grab Patrick and he tumbled, laughing hysterically.

“I don’t know,” said Stacey, offering Lexi some iced tea. “I think his mom is pretty strong, too.”

“I’m getting there,” Lexi said. “But I have to thank you guys for that.” Moving back to Pine Ridge had its share of challenges, but the close camaraderie and friendship of these ladies had been a godsend.

“You’re starting your new treatments soon, right?” Keely asked.

Lexi nodded. “Monday.”

“Want me to watch the little guy?” Taryn asked, cradling her newborn daughter.

“Thanks, but he’ll be with Ian.”

As one, four sets of female eyes turned on her. “Ian’s not going with you?” Keely asked quietly.

“No, why would he?” Lexi said defensively. The last thing Ian needed was daily, blatant reminders of her condition. He already treated her as if she was made of spun glass.

The other women exchanged glances. “You shouldn’t have to do this alone, Lex.”

“I’m going with her,” Stacey spoke up. “She won’t be alone.”

Lexi gave her a grateful look. Stacey understood her better than anybody, having gone through her own personal medical crisis. Her husband, however, had dealt with things better than Ian apparently.

“Maybe you could ask Johnny to talk to him, Stace,” Lina suggested. “After all, you went through something similar –“