Read Online The Navy SEAL’s Holiday Fling: Ballybeg Bad Boys, Book 3 by Zara Keane - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Zara Keane
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his pace, elongating their remaining steps to the store.
“Today’s Christmas Eve,” Jill said. “It’s your last chance to fly home in time to collect Meggie.”
His grip on her hand tightened. “I know. Cash booked me a seat on an evening flight out of Shannon. Whatever happens, I’ll try to see you before I go. If that’s not possible, I’ll call you.”
“Don’t worry about me, Liam.” She gave him a wobbly smile that tore at his heart. “You can phone me when you’re back in the U.S.”
He drew her to a halt a few feet from the store and caressed the smudges under her eyes. “I meant what I said last night. We’re not over. I don’t know how we’ll make it work, but I’m willing to give it my best shot.”
She lowered her long eyelashes. “It’s hard to maintain a long-distance relationship. And with your job…”
“The instant I’m wheels down, I’m handing in my resignation at Trident Securities and looking for a job in New York.”
Jill’s head jerked up and she blinked. “Are you crazy? You’ve had years of excitement and travel. Do you really want a regular nine-to-five position?”
“I’ll figure something out. Yesterday was an eye-opener for me. I can’t keep working a job that has me gone most of the year and never knowing when I’ll see my daughter. It’s not fair to Meggie, and, ultimately, it’s not fair to me. If I’m not careful, I’ll turn around one day and realize my little girl has grown into woman and I’ve missed most of her childhood. I want to be there for her, every step of the way.”
Jill stood on her tippy toes to kiss him on the cheek. “You’re a good father.”
“I try,” he said, picturing his little girl’s adorable face, “but I can do better. My ex is right on that score.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful Christmas with Meggie.”
Liam pulled Jill into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, memorizing her familiar scent and the feel of her lips on his. “Have a good day at work. And stay safe.”
She slipped out of his grasp, turned, and smiled at him over her shoulder. The morning sunlight shone on her face, illuminating her high cheekbones and generous lips. “Bye, Liam. Don’t be a stranger.”
And then she walked through the doors of the store and disappeared from his sight.
With a heavy heart, he retraced his steps toward the place where he’d left his rental car. In his pocket, his phone began to vibrate. He glanced at the display and his face lit up with a smile. “Meggie, baby. How are you?”
“Are you okay, Daddy?” she asked in a small, breathless voice. “Mommy said you were on the news but she wouldn’t let me or Barnabus watch it.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” He glanced at his watch and frowned. “Why aren’t you asleep? It’s the middle of the night for you.”
“I can’t sleep. Are you still in Ireland? Mommy said you missed your flight.”
Guilt gnawed at his stomach. “Yeah, but I’ve booked a seat for this evening. I’m going to do my best to make it home on time.”
His daughter fell silent. Liam could practically hear the wheels in her little head turning. “But you’re not sure you’ll make it?”
Liam squeezed his eyes shut and let out a string of silent expletives directed against The Ghost. “Baby, something bad happened. I need to help the police put it right. I’ll do everything I can to be home in time for our vacation.”
More silence.
Liam’s heart performed a slow thump and roll. “Meggie? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Daddy. It’s okay if you’re late. I know you want to help people. That’s what makes you a good Daddy.”
Liam’s throat constricted. Whatever the next twenty-four hours brought, he was getting home to his daughter. “Thanks, Meggie. You know I want to be with you.”
“And Barnabus?”
“You and Barnabus.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I’ll see you on Christmas Day, baby, even if I have to swim to get
“Today’s Christmas Eve,” Jill said. “It’s your last chance to fly home in time to collect Meggie.”
His grip on her hand tightened. “I know. Cash booked me a seat on an evening flight out of Shannon. Whatever happens, I’ll try to see you before I go. If that’s not possible, I’ll call you.”
“Don’t worry about me, Liam.” She gave him a wobbly smile that tore at his heart. “You can phone me when you’re back in the U.S.”
He drew her to a halt a few feet from the store and caressed the smudges under her eyes. “I meant what I said last night. We’re not over. I don’t know how we’ll make it work, but I’m willing to give it my best shot.”
She lowered her long eyelashes. “It’s hard to maintain a long-distance relationship. And with your job…”
“The instant I’m wheels down, I’m handing in my resignation at Trident Securities and looking for a job in New York.”
Jill’s head jerked up and she blinked. “Are you crazy? You’ve had years of excitement and travel. Do you really want a regular nine-to-five position?”
“I’ll figure something out. Yesterday was an eye-opener for me. I can’t keep working a job that has me gone most of the year and never knowing when I’ll see my daughter. It’s not fair to Meggie, and, ultimately, it’s not fair to me. If I’m not careful, I’ll turn around one day and realize my little girl has grown into woman and I’ve missed most of her childhood. I want to be there for her, every step of the way.”
Jill stood on her tippy toes to kiss him on the cheek. “You’re a good father.”
“I try,” he said, picturing his little girl’s adorable face, “but I can do better. My ex is right on that score.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful Christmas with Meggie.”
Liam pulled Jill into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, memorizing her familiar scent and the feel of her lips on his. “Have a good day at work. And stay safe.”
She slipped out of his grasp, turned, and smiled at him over her shoulder. The morning sunlight shone on her face, illuminating her high cheekbones and generous lips. “Bye, Liam. Don’t be a stranger.”
And then she walked through the doors of the store and disappeared from his sight.
With a heavy heart, he retraced his steps toward the place where he’d left his rental car. In his pocket, his phone began to vibrate. He glanced at the display and his face lit up with a smile. “Meggie, baby. How are you?”
“Are you okay, Daddy?” she asked in a small, breathless voice. “Mommy said you were on the news but she wouldn’t let me or Barnabus watch it.”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” He glanced at his watch and frowned. “Why aren’t you asleep? It’s the middle of the night for you.”
“I can’t sleep. Are you still in Ireland? Mommy said you missed your flight.”
Guilt gnawed at his stomach. “Yeah, but I’ve booked a seat for this evening. I’m going to do my best to make it home on time.”
His daughter fell silent. Liam could practically hear the wheels in her little head turning. “But you’re not sure you’ll make it?”
Liam squeezed his eyes shut and let out a string of silent expletives directed against The Ghost. “Baby, something bad happened. I need to help the police put it right. I’ll do everything I can to be home in time for our vacation.”
More silence.
Liam’s heart performed a slow thump and roll. “Meggie? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Daddy. It’s okay if you’re late. I know you want to help people. That’s what makes you a good Daddy.”
Liam’s throat constricted. Whatever the next twenty-four hours brought, he was getting home to his daughter. “Thanks, Meggie. You know I want to be with you.”
“And Barnabus?”
“You and Barnabus.” He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I’ll see you on Christmas Day, baby, even if I have to swim to get
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