Finding Ellie (Complete)

Chapter 18

Staring up at the ceiling as she laid in bed, Ellie sighed loudly. First by Chad and now by Aidan; the bitter sting of rejection was not something she particularly enjoyed. She knew why he had pulled back, understood it, but it didn’t make her feel any better with the knowledge. When it happened it had felt like a cold, hard slap across the face, and, now that she had had time to think on it, roll it over in her head, it still felt like a cold, hard slap across the face.

With Chad, it had hurt in the sense that she had thought he would have had at least some form of respect for her. They might have even remained friends somehow if they would have both admitted that they were not in love, if he had come out and told her he had met someone for whom he felt strongly, and though he hadn’t cheated, he wanted to pursue it. Then perhaps the outcome would have been different, not the divorce but their relationship post-marriage. Instead, he had strayed and made her feel as though all of it had been of her own doing. So much hurt and anger, the friendship that once was there was now forever shattered.

With Aidan, the rejection hurt more so than it had with her ex-husband because he was fighting his feelings for her. And, yes, also because she had come to realize she loved him, felt more for him in the short period they had known each other than in the ten years she had been with Chad. She could see the love in his eyes and feel it in his touch when he allowed it. It was frustrating to say the least.

A soft knock on her door made her turn her head.

“Ellie, dear, may I come in?”

Mrs. Callaghan. She didn’t know exactly what had happened, but she knew something had. And to add to it, at least half the village was talking about how Ellie hadn’t shown up at the pub for the past three days. During a visit to a local shop, she, herself, had heard how Aidan was in a worse mood than usual, making everyone else around him miserable.

“It’s open,” Ellie called out, not moving a muscle.

Mrs. Callaghan opened and closed the door noiselessly and sat down at the end of the bed.

“Would you like to talk about it?”

“Not particularly,” Ellie mumbled, but leaned up on her elbows. “I love him.”

“I know.” Mrs. Callaghan patted Ellie’s foot. “And he loves you.”

Ellie let the knowledge flow over her. She had known it, of course, but to hear someone else say it, well, made it real.

“He won’t admit it. He doesn’t let himself feel it, and when he does he pulls back just as quickly.”

“He’s a stubborn man, our Aidan. Always has been.” The older woman stood, walked to the door. She turned to Ellie, doorknob in hand. “Come with me to Dunne’s tonight. Make him see what he’s missing.”

                                                                                                ***

Ellie walked into Dunne’s a few hours later dressed in a white peasant top, dark blue skinny jeans, and a pair of black flats. Her hair was down around her shoulders, the way she knew Aidan preferred it. Mrs. Callaghan greeted Aileen and Patricia as they sat with their husbands at their usual table. Colm stood to pull up two chairs for the women.

“Quite the storm we had,” Carrick commented, and was immediately awarded with a kick from under the table by Aileen.

“It’s okay.” Ellie faked a smile. “It was quite a storm. I heard Byrne’s Flowers took quite a beating.”

“It did indeed along with Kennedy Crafts,” Colm responded. He took a sip of his pint, cautiously sliding his eyes behind the bar where he knew Aidan was sitting in his office. “I imagine both will re-open quickly enough.”

“Kennedy won’t,” Patricia chimed in. “I spoke with Claire this morning, she’s putting up a For Sale sign and moving back to County Wicklow where her mother still has a home.”

“Oh that’s a shame,” Mrs. Callaghan spoke, noticing Brenna O’Keefe speaking with Riley O’Brien. While Brenna spoke in his ear Riley would glance at Ellie, making Mrs. Callaghan a bit uneasy. It was never a good thing when Brenna was involved.

He knew she was there, had seen her walk in with Mrs. Callaghan, which was why he was staying in his office. Aidan had made up his mind to stay away from her after he had dropped her off at the B & B following their grand adventure. They had traveled back in awkward silence, not even looking at each other once. It was better this way and in any case she was leaving in a few short days wasn’t she? If he gave himself to her she would leave with his heart and he sure as hell wasn’t about to beg her to stay, he wouldn’t influence her in any way. The woman could make up her own mind. It would just be easier for everyone involved if he stayed away. No goodbyes would need to be said, no sad or longing looks exchanged, no heart break or tears would need to be shed.

It wasn’t as thought he was hiding, as a matter of fact, he was gathering all the complaints he had ever received regarding Brenna so he could present her with them when he let her go. Fiona had come through and Aidan had met with Shaun Duffy just that morning. Young and handsome, the women would go wild for him and dare he say Shaun was even better than Brenna? Aidan had

hired him on the spot lest another pub would hear of him and snatch him up.

No, he wasn’t hiding he was doing her a favor. She would go back to Boston, maybe find herself a decent man who would treat her the way she deserved to be treated. It didn’t matter that the very thought of her with another man made him want to put his fist through a wall. He wanted her to be happy didn’t he? He was positive he wasn’t the one to make this happen for her.

“Can I come in?” Fiona knocked softly on the half closed door.

Aidan gestured to an empty chair. “What’s on your mind?” He knew he would regret asking but Fiona had never been one to steer him wrong.

“She’s out there.”

He was right, he had regretted asking. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

Aidan’s professional and personal relationship with Fiona allowed them to be frank with each other. She had been with Dunne’s from the day he took over, she was a staple there. He trusted her judgment. There was no nonsense between them, they said what was on their minds whether the other liked it or not. At the moment, he did not like it.

“It’s probably not.” Fiona crossed her legs, making herself comfortable. “I don’t know what happened between you two but I do know you’ve been miserable with everyone, including the customers, these last few days.” Pulling her long black her up into a pony tail, she added, “More so than usual.”

“You know how I feel about all this.” Aidan looked at her pointedly.

She returned his look just as fiercely. “When will you get it through your thick skull? That was them, this is you. She’s not your mother; you’re not your father. I can’t tell you if it will work out or not but you owe it to the both

of you to try. But, of course, you’re too pigheaded to see it.” Fiona raged. “Aidan, we’ve been friends for a long time. You’ve never been serious with any woman and I don’t think it’s because you’re scared of repeating the past.”

“I’m not?” Aidan c****d an eyebrow.

Fiona shook her head. “No. It’s because you knew they weren’t right for you.” She flung her arm, pointing out the door. “None of them were her.”

“I’m not talking about this.” Aidan stood abruptly, his chair rolling off to the side. “I’ll be out back checking inventory if you need me.”

                                                                                                ***

Ellie sat back after her meal. She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t had the Guinness stew before and was sorry she wouldn’t be able to enjoy it more before she left. It was inevitable wasn’t it? The end of the week was coming too quickly for her but she could see no other reason for her to stay. She hadn’t succeeded in getting Aidan to admit his feelings for her and, if anything, she had pushed him further away. Maybe it was not meant to be. Maybe she was hoping it to be more than there actually was with Aidan.

Leaving her chair, she looked to the people she had come to love. “I’m getting a drink, would any of you like anything?”

Carrick lifted his own half-finished glass. “I’m fine. It’ll be my last before we go.”

“I’ll just get a glass of water if you don’t mind, dear,” Patricia asked, kindly.

“A glass of water it is, I’ll be right back.”

Ellie stood at the bar waiting for Fiona to finish up with her current order. She let her eyes wander, trying to commit every little detail to memory. She wasn’t sure she would return to the pub before she left. It saddened her to

know she would never see Aidan again and the ballad Brenna was currently singing wasn’t helping the matter.

“I know a little place where we can get to know each other better.” A heavy arm came across her shoulders. The stench of sweat and beer engulfed her, a complete déjà-vu from her first night at the pub that seemed like an eternity ago.

“I don’t think so.” Ellie politely declined Riley O’Brien’s offer, ducking out from under his arm.

“Don’t be a tease, Brenna told me you were looking for me.” Riley spread out his arms as if he were presenting himself. “Here I am.”

Ellie slid her eyes to Brenna, a look of pure venom etched on her face. There was something seriously wrong with that woman.

“I’m sorry, I’m really tired, maybe another time.” Ellie made to turn away but Riley grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly back to him.

By then, most of the pub had gone silent, waiting on what would happen next. Ellie wondered why no one was stepping in. It was obvious he wasn’t taking no for an answer and that she needed some help.

“I’ve allowed you to harass the patrons of this pub for far too long,” Aidan said, from behind the bar. His voice was oddly calm which, to anyone who knew him, meant he was anything but. He came around to stand in front of Riley “It’s time you leave and I’ll ask that you don’t return.”

Riley narrowed his eyes. He tugged Ellie along with him as he took a few steps back. “This place was never any good, not when your father had it and certainly not now.”

“Let her go.” Aidan rolled his shoulders, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. He had been itching to hit something, now seemed like as good a time as any.

“I don’t think I will.” Riley’s hand tightened on Ellie’s arm causing her to wince.

The men seemed evenly matched. They stood nose to nose but it was apparent Aidan was well-built with his broad shoulders and toned arms while Riley was not. Muscles were certainly not everything in a fight but Ellie had seen him throw out one of Riley’s friends a few weeks ago. If she were a betting woman, her money would be on Aidan.

Without much warning, Riley’s head snapped back as Aidan’s closed fist connected with his jaw. Riley automatically released Ellie as he lunged for Aidan. Colm was now beside her, guiding her to a safe distance away from the men. It was like a train wreck. She couldn’t take her eyes off of the fighting pair. One second Aidan was dominating, the next he was on his knees from an accurately thrown punch by the other man. Somehow Riley had gotten hold of a bottle but she hadn’t seen when he had broken it. He now brandished it menacingly close to Aidan’s chest, swinging it about. Ellie let out a small scream then slapped a hand over her mouth when Aidan’s head inclined toward her. Now was not the time for distractions.

Aidan could have taken care of Riley within seconds but he was enjoying it too much. He wasn’t known to fight but, when he did, people knew to get out of his way. His anger had gotten the better of him when he had come out of his office and had seen Riley O’Brien with his hands on Ellie. He wasn’t going to underestimate the other man. Aidan knew one wrong move could end in a tremendous amount of pain. But Riley was so drunk, he was sloppy. Most of the hits that connected would merely bounce off as weak, except for the one that had split his lip. He wiped at the blood as they circled each other until, finally, he could see Ellie’s petrified face. That alone was enough to convince him to end it. And with one quick strike, Riley fell unconscious to the floor.

“Take him out and dunk his head in a bucket of ice water. Clean him up and make sure he gets home.” Aidan pivoted, making his way back to his office to lick his wounds.

“Aidan.” Ellie took two steps before stopping.

“Don’t.” Aidan’s words cut through her. “I’m done.”