The Selkie Enchantress Read Online Free Page A

breath. “Stop. Talk to me.”
    The road forked and she veered onto the path leading up to the east side of the island, bypassing the pier and a reminder of the events of last night. The boats rocked in the harbor, the wind pushing them into the pilings. White caps churned over the surface of the glittering sea. “I really don’t want to hear what you have to say right now, Dom.”
    “Tara’s going to talk Liam into seeing a specialist today.”
    “Go away.”
    “She thinks there’s something wrong with his memory. He’s forgetful, but he wouldn’t have forgotten a date with you.”
    “I’m not talking about this with you.”
    “Caitlin, you’re my best friend, and Liam’s my brother. If there’s something going on between you, I want to know.”
    “Too bad,” she retorted. “Not everything that happens in my life is your business.”
    “It’s my business if you get hurt.”
    Her eyes flashed as she jerked to a stop. “Because I could only get hurt, right? Liam would never get involved with someone like me.”
    Dominic stopped running, his breath coming out in puffs in the cold air. “Caitlin, that’s not what I meant.”
    “It’s exactly what you meant. Because it’s true, isn’t it?”
    He stared at her, too stunned to speak.
    Caitlin spun on her heel and broke into a sprint, running until Dominic was only a dot in the distance behind her. Her lungs burned and the wind stung the sweat on her cheeks as she slowed. The gentle sloping fields of Brennan Lockley’s sheep farm stretched out to the ocean. She leaned against one of the walls, catching her breath.
    How was she going to face all her friends and neighbors now that everyone knew the truth? That she’d actually thought something was starting between her and Liam. That she’d actually believed she might finally get the whole package—marriage, kids, family—with Liam. What a fool she was.
    The sharp click of a woman’s heeled boots on the pavement snapped her head up. She spotted Glenna McLure walking up the path from Brennan’s cottage with a pile of books in her arms. Caitlin caught the worried look on her friend’s face and she lifted her foot, propping her heel against the wall and pretending to stretch.
    Glenna stared at Caitlin. “Are you exercising ?”
    “Yes,” Caitlin answered, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
    Glenna walked up to her and pinched the baggy sleeve of her torn sweatshirt between her thumb and forefinger. “Where did this come from?”
    Caitlin tugged her arm away. “It’s a sweatshirt. It’s not supposed to be stylish.”
    Glenna angled her head at Caitlin’s defensiveness. “Since when do you run?”
    “Since today.” She started to push past her. “Look, I have a lot on my mind right now. And I’d rather keep going.”
    Glenna turned, watching Caitlin stalk away. “I know you’re hurt.”
    “I don’t want to talk about it.”
    “I respect that,” Glenna called after her. “But you’re going about it all wrong.”
    “Oh, really?” Caitlin spun around, her eyes narrowing. “How should I be going about it?”
    Glenna took in Caitlin’s oversized sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants. She shook her head, clucking her tongue against her cheek. “You’re never going to get Liam back looking like that.”
    Caitlin’s hands balled at her sides. “I’m done with Liam O’Sullivan.”
    “Really?” Glenna raised a brow. “I’ve never known you to be someone who gives up so easily.”
    “There’s nothing to give up,” Caitlin retorted. “He was never mine in the first place.”
    “He’s always been yours, Caitlin. He’s just… distracted at the moment.”
    “ Distracted? ” Caitlin echoed. “Sure, Glenna, he’s distracted.” She turned, starting back on her run. “I’d like to know what you’d do if the love of your life got distracted?”
    “I know I wouldn’t be running around this island in ugly sweats feeling sorry for myself,” Glenna shouted after her.