Her brow creases. “Oh, just great.”

  “What exactly did you think was going to happen?” Scott asks curiously.

  “Gah! Why is everything always so messed up?”

  Is she serious? I glance down at my phone for the time. “She’s all yours now,” I say to Scott. “I have to go.”

  “I’ve got this,” he assures me. “Go, get her.”

  I nod and close the door behind me. I thought I was over Olivia, but I’m not. I head back to the city at a ridiculously unsafe speed. I miss my Ferrari and the wide-open, unrestricted roadways at home. Finding out she’s still pregnant felt like a sharp knife to the gut that was twisted slowly as it was withdrawn.

  I stuff my clothes in my suitcase without regard to neatness or order. They’ll be wrinkled balls of designer fabric by the time I get home, and I really don’t care. I’ll buy new ones.

  As I throw the luggage into the back seat of the car, I pause, looking at the recently purchased flowers. On the way to the airport, I regret my decision to leave them at the front desk with a note. Kate deserves better. It’s bad enough my mother thinks I’m a manwhore. I can’t imagine how disappointed she’d be with me for bailing on Kate this way. I just can’t see her right now. I need to sort out my head, and my heart. My mother was right; I need to take a break. I’m going home.

  I push open the door of my Noosa beachfront apartment and drop my stuff on the floor. It’s nice to be back home on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. The flight was a killer. Between my conscience and the turbulence, I don’t think I got a single moment of rest. Olivia may be absolutely positive nothing happened between us that night, but I know every time I look at the baby, I’m going to wonder if it’s mine.

  The time change has me so messed up, I’m not sure if I’m coming or going. It looks like the sun’s coming up, so I guess my day is about to begin. The sound of the water is soothing. When my phone rings, it startles me. I suppose I dozed off for a few seconds. I grab it quickly before she hangs up.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi.”

  I’m relieved to hear from her, even if there’s an awkward tone in her voice.

  “How are you, Kate?”

  “I’m okay. Did you get home safe?”

  “Yes, I got in a few hours ago.”

  “How is your mother?” she asks concerned.

  My mother? It takes me a minute. “Oh, yes, my mum. The doctor said she’s going to make a full recovery.” I close my eyes, ashamed of myself.

  “That’s good news.”

  “I’m sorry I had to leave without saying goodbye.”

  “I understand. It’s your mother. You should be there.”

  “Yes, but I was looking forward to our dinner.” There’s a long uncomfortable pause that gives me the feeling that I’ve let her down, again.

  “I should go. I just wanted to make sure she was okay and that you made it home safe. Take care of yourself.”

  The sadness in her voice makes me feel like a first-class asshole. “It sounds like you’re saying goodbye. Can’t we keep in touch?”

  She doesn’t respond.

  “I see,” I say disappointed. “I don’t blame you. I don’t deserve another chance.”

  “It’s not that. It’s just… have you ever felt like you finally found the right one… but at the wrong time?”

  That’s an understatement. “Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.”

  “Goodbye, Carter.”

  “See you around, Kate. Maybe I can take you out for that dinner next time I’m in town.”

  “Maybe.”

  I rake my fingers through my hair and let out a frustrated growl. A pretty little brunette smiles at me as she jogs past on an early morning run. I nod politely and watch her jiggle up the beach with every stride. Damn, I need a nonfemale distraction.

  The wind makes the trees on the beach bend and sway. That means one thing… an incredible surf. I grab my board and head out.

  Chapter 2

  I love the smell of the ocean air. I roll to my side, physically exhausted. The gentle waves, rock me to sleep. I’m quickly sucked back through time.

  Blue eyes sparkle in the sunshine. My heart feels like it’s going to explode with joy. She said yes. I was certain no one could ever love me. Lily came into my life and proved me wrong. My entire world changed the day she got lost and asked me for directions. I knew, the moment she smiled at me; she was the one. Now she’s agreed to marry me. It’s the first time I’ve felt happiness since learning about the loss of my brother. Telling Elizabeth will be bittersweet, but I think I should tell her first, before anyone else. Hopefully, she’ll be able to stop mourning and be happy for me, for at least a little while.

  Nobody’s heard from Liz in days. I’m about to knock on the door and become concerned when I notice it’s ajar. I push it open and call out to her. In the absence of a reply, I walk in and look around. I’ve never understood the connection between us, but right now, something doesn’t feel right. The house is cold, dark… bare. There’s no food in the fridge or evidence anyone has been here for quite some time. It’s eerie, really.

  I’m drawn to a note on the kitchen table. ‘So dear I love him that with him, all deaths I could endure. Without him, live no life.’ I know this quote. I scour the bookshelf looking for the leather-bound book with gold-embossed lettering that was a treasured gift from my brother. It’s not here. I pick up the note and read it again. A mysterious cool breeze sweeps across my skin, making the hair stand on the back of my neck. I know what she’s going to do.

  I hurry to the ocean, hoping I’m wrong. I pray that when I get there, I’ll find her reading and enjoying the sunshine. As I crest the top of the hill, I see her, knee-deep in the water. My heart pounds in my chest as I run as quickly as I can toward the shore. I call her name, but she doesn’t respond. The sand slows my pursuit. She disappears beneath the water, and I fight against the pounding waves, trying to get to her. The sky turns gray, making it harder to search for her in the dark water. I hold my breath and go under.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her heavy, lifeless body to the surface. My water soaked clothing weighs me down. I struggle to get to shore, praying I’m not too late.

  Distraught, I desperately try to revive her. Tears well up in my eyes as I talk to her unresponsive body, encouraging her to come back to me. I refuse to give up on her. My tireless efforts finally pay off, and she begins to cough, spitting up ocean water and gasping for air. Relieved, I wrap my arms around her and rock her gently as I stroke her hair. “I thought I’d lost you.”

  She becomes stiff in my arms. “You should have let me go.” She begins to cry.

  “I couldn’t. I couldn’t lose you too.”

  Her body curls tighter in my arms. “I can’t live without him. I miss him,” she confesses with stuttered breath.

  “I miss him too. He went because you both wanted to start a family.”

  “He didn’t need to go.”

  “He went to learn how to help you carry a child.”

  “He didn’t need to go,” she repeats. “I’m pregnant.”

  I’m shocked by the news. “I thought…”

  She interrupts me. “There was so much blood, I thought I lost the baby. Like all the others. The doctor confirmed a few days ago, I’m three months pregnant.”

  She breaks down, and I try to comfort her.

  “I don’t know how I’m going to do this,” she says sniffling. “Your parents can’t even look at me. They blame me for his death. It is my fault. If it weren’t for me, he would never have been on that ship.”

  “Stop it. It’s not your fault.”

  Her crying turns into a gut-wrenching hard sob. It’s killing me. “Elizabeth, it’s going to be okay.”

  “I can’t. I can’t do it. I can’t raise this child without him. On my own,” she stutters, trying to catch her breath.

  I hold her tight, making an immediate decision. I know what I have to do. “You won’t have to do it alone. I’ll take care of you.”

  “Liam,” she begins to protest. “That’s not fair to Lily.”

  “Lily is strong. She’ll understand and move on.”

  “I can’t let you do that. You love her.”

  “I love you. And I’ll love this child as if it’s my own. I’ll take care of you both. For my brother.”

  My eyes burst open. Understanding hits me like a bolt of lightning. I roll over to grab my ringing phone, but there’s an object in between the nightstand and me. I pull back the covers and expose a pair of feet. “What the?” A head pops up as she reaches out and feels her way across the bed, searching for the table. I watch amused.

  Successfully, she gets hold of it and tosses it in my direction.

  “Thanks.”

  “Welcome,” she says in a sleepy voice.

  “Ethan.”

  “What the fuck took so long?” he growls.

  “I’m fine thanks, how are you?” I say sarcastically.

  “I need you here.”

  “Where is here, these days?”

  “Ireland.”

  I turn to get out of the other side of the bed, so as not to disturb my guest, and find myself facing an interesting situation. Curiously, I peek under the cover. I grin at the sight of a second pair of feet. I opt to crawl out the bottom of the bed.

  “Are you there, Brant?”

  “Yes,” I grunt, as I struggle to untangle myself from the blankets and get both feet firmly on the ground. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m going to propose.”

  “Sorry, mate. You’re not my type. You’re too fucking bossy.”

  “You’re not funny. I’m going to ask Olivia to marry me at the charity fundraiser.”

  “In front of all those people? Is that a good idea?” I’m sure it’s not, but he won’t listen to me.

  “It’s at Slane Castle, and it just feels like the perfect place.”

  “Let me guess, it came to you in a dream.”

  “Yeah, how’d you know?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” I laugh once. “Don’t you think you should wait?”

  “No. I can’t stand the thought of her carrying my child out of wedlock.”

  “Well, that’s awfully noble of you.”

  “Thank you,” he continues without catching on to my sarcasm. “I’m doing it that night, and I want all our friends and family to be there for it.”

  “What if she says no?”

  “Don’t be fucking ridiculous.”

  I laugh. “Silly me. Why would she turn down a man with all your charm?”

  “Exactly,” he agrees.

  For such an intelligent man, I’m amazed he has no clue I’m being facetious.

  “Scott was telling me you were seeing a girl in Toronto. Invite her to come.”

  I hold my breath for a moment. “No, it’s okay. I’ll come alone.”

  “I’ll pay, you cheap bastard.”

  “That’s not the issue. I sort of left without saying a proper goodbye.”

  “Well, that’s a shame. You’re going to need reinforcements.”

  “For what?”

  “I’m assigning you babysitting duties, so Olivia can spend some time with her sister.”

  “Brilliant,” I say sarcastically. I glance over at the two blondes, who are now both awake and watching me from the bed. I consider asking them. That would raise a few eyebrows.

  “When is this?” I ask, yawning. One of my friends motions for me to come back to bed.

  “In two days. Are you coming or what?” he says impatiently.

  I climb into the middle and toss the tangled blankets on the floor. “Yes, I’ll be there.”

  Another flight - another airport. Maybe I should just become a pilot. Ethan sent a car to pick me up and take me to the castle. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about being here once my feet hit the ground. Truth is, I’m feeling good. For the first time in many months, I don’t feel anxious. That last dream brought me the clarity I needed. I finally have all the answers to the cryptic ramblings of that strange silver-haired woman. Well, all but that whole baby daddy thing, but it’s best I just put that out of my mind forever. It doesn’t matter now.

  I hate these charity events.

  “Carter!” Megan screams as she throws her arms around me. “Thank you, for doing this. I’m so nervous that I haven’t talked to my sister for days, in case I let the cat out of the bag.”

  She introduces the children by name, but I’m never going to remember them. Maybe she should have given them all nametags or nicknames. I can’t believe I didn’t try to get out of babysitting duty. I should have designated it to Scott. He’s been talking nonstop for the past year about wanting to have children.

  I’m guessing from all the commotion, the guest of honor has finally joined the party.

  “If I can have everyone’s attention, please,” the emcee requests. “We have a very special request from one of our long-time supporters, Ethan O’Connell, who would like to dedicate this first waltz to someone very special to him.”

  I watch Ethan hold out his hand. Olivia looks up at him terrified, and I’m suddenly in the middle of an Irish déjà vu. I wonder this time if she’ll let him lead.

  I watch from the dark corner. One eye on them, one on the kids, who are chasing each other around with balloons. The music draws my attention back to the middle of the room, where Ethan confidently dances Olivia around the floor. A calm feeling washes over me, assuring me I no longer need to worry. Things look like they’re finally falling into place. When Ethan takes a knee and pulls a small ring box out of his pocket, I can tell the poor bastard is struggling to keep control of his emotions. Since he’s met this girl, I swear, he’s grown a pair of ovaries.

  “Marry me.”

  Olivia looks down at him, while the entire room awaits her answer. Not me, I know what her answer is.

  “Yes, I’ll marry you. You’re my destiny… I couldn’t survive without you.”

  Ugh, these two are so dramatic. But I know this to be true. She will be his in every life. I think I can finally let go. I have my own destiny to follow in this life. There’s going to be a lot of twists and turns on the road to my happily ever after, but I know, after the memories I’ve been shown in the past few weeks; it’s time for me to start that journey.

  I make sure the children get some food into them, well, mostly sugar. We’ll call that payback.

  I get the feeling someone is watching me, and look up to find Olivia’s eyes on me. For the first time since I laid eyes on her, I don’t feel like I’m a ticking time bomb as she walks toward me. She stands in front of me, and we look into each other’s eyes.

  “Congratulations,” I finally say, giving her a sincere smile.

  “Thank you, Carter.”

  “I hope that you two finally find happiness.”

  She frowns. “Carter…”

  “No, I really mean that,” I interrupt. “You two belong together. Don’t ever let anything, or anybody, come between you.”

  “Thank you, Carter.” She wraps her arms around my chest and pulls me close. I return her hug, close my eyes, and kiss the top of her head.

  “I was hoping you’d be here tonight. I wanted to give this to you.” She reaches into her bra and takes out a tightly folded document.

  “What is it?” I take it out of her hands and try to flatten it.

  “The results of the paternity test.”

  I looked up at her shocked as I read it. “The baby is O’Connell’s.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why did you do this? I thought you were absolutely sure nothing happened between us that night.”

  “I was, but you weren’t.”

  I nod. She’s a good woman, and she deserves the very best. “You’re in good hands with O’Connell,” I whisper, squeezing her tightly one last time. “But I’ll always be around if you need me.”

  She swallows hard, trying to hold back a deeply rooted emotional response. “I know, Carter.”

  “Ahem,” a masculine voice interrupts. “Carter.”

  Olivia loosens her grip and then takes a step back.

  I extend my hand. “Congratulations, Ethan.”

  “You’re not trying to steal my girl, are you, Brant?” he inquires in jest, as he shakes my hand.

  I laugh out loud. “That wouldn’t be possible. It’s extremely clear she only loves you.”

  At that very moment, our eyes lock and something mystical passes between Olivia and I. It brings with it an acknowledgment that sets us both free. The energy that has drawn us together, and kept our souls entwined like branches on a grapevine, magically disappears. After lifetimes of commitment, love, and loyalty, I’m finally Unbound.

  Want to read on? Download a copy of Unbound on your preferred retailer here.

  About Tricia Daniels

  Tricia Daniels lives in a small town in Southern Ontario, Canada, where she raised three kids as a single parent. Creativity and imagination are never in short supply in her home. Between her quick wit and wicked sense of humor, she found she has a passion for writing steamy romance novels.

  Her goal is simple: tell her story, warm a few hearts, shed a few tears, share a silent chuckle, and occasionally make people blush. That's the official version. But the simple truth is … she’s just a normal woman struggling to pay the bills while raising her children in a home where they feel empowered, supported, and loved.

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  Chapter 1

  Chase checked his oxygen and gave a thumbs up to his scuba partner, Evan. He knew he could have pushed deeper, but without his team, he erred on the side of safety. Chase Abbott, a wealthy executive at Emerson Industries, always brought his love of adventure to the forefront of his business; enhancing extreme sporting technologies, products and services to be utilized for both private enjoyment and government contracts. A trained biologist, his specialty focused on deep sea diving. Exploring uncharted locations always brought the possibility he’d discover unique materials that could be used for further research and development.