The day Mark had been dreading was here and for once he was truly scared. "Hon, will you calm down. My mother will not bite your head off, in fact she will love you just like I do. Well, not JUST like I do." Kimber said winking at Mark and giving him a comforting kiss.
He was a bundle of nerves as Kimber literally pulled him into her mom's reading room, a bright airy space that was shaded from the harsh sunlight by a canopy. An older carbon copy of Kimber looked over a pair of glasses and smiled, patting the seat on the couch next to her reassuringly. "I've heard so much about you sweetie, it's nice to meet you face to face. Good heavens, I could swear you're shaking. Am I such a dragon lady I've got a strapping young man like you scared?"
Mark chuckled and kissed the little hand presented to him, "No Ma'am, I just want to make a good impression. Your daughter is very special to me and I want this to be just right."
"Oh, the lyrical sound of an Irish brogue. It's no wonder Kimber is
crazy about you." It was now Kimber's turn to blush, her mother just
couldn't keep private conversations private. The three of them spent the day
talking and laughing like old friends and Mark soon wondered why he had made
such a big deal about this.
The world was at his feet as he whistled his way down to Shane's later in the
day, smiling at the image of Shane and Kimmy making wedding plans inside. For
the first time in his life he could picture himself doing the same thing, the
thought of Kimber by his side making him downright giddy.
"Mark, are you going to stand out there all day or are you just a peeping Tom?" Kimmy yelled bringing him out of his daydreams.
"I am a man who has everything going his way right now. I just charmed the pants off of Mrs. Mahaffey."
"Like mother like daughter." Shane said dryly and Mark threw a fake punch to defend Kimber's honor. "I'm so frightened Mark. By the way I sent off your mail you left in my drawer."
Mark went pale,"You did what?" he said quietly and Shane repeated himself cautiously, "I put the return address on your letter to your mam and posted it yesterday. I did something wrong by the look on your face."
Mark just slowly walked out of the house and sat on the porch with his head in his hands. Kian and Kimber arrived just as Shane and Kimmy walked out to check on him, and Kimber knelt in front of him knowing something was wrong. She put a hand on either side of his face and made him look her directly in her eyes, unshed tears shimmering in his.
"I have something to tell you, all of you and you may never want to see me again." He sat back against the seat but held on to Kimber's hands as she gave him unspoken support as they all listened closely. "Robbie used to be my friend but he changed when he became Lord of Hazelwood, my family's homeland. He was cruel and vindictive and used every opportunity to let my family know he was the master. One day he just pushed too hard, he assaulted my mother and threatened my sister Erica. He did have an accident but it was because of me, I caused his fatal fall. I ran from Ireland and I ran from Boston when his cousin came, but I don't want to run anymore. I have no doubt Bryan will come for me here, it's his right to want revenge."
His friends sat silently absorbing this news and his heart broke as he watched tears flow quietly down Kimber's face, he knew she was hurt. Mark stood up and walked past her, a weight lifted by being totally honest with them.
"I'm sorry Mark. No matter what happened in the past you're still my mate." Shane said and Kian agreed, "Whatever happens we're with you."
Mark nodded; glad for their support but still waiting for Kimber to say something, anything. She wanted to but nothing would come out, after all they shared why couldn't he tell her before now? Mark sighed as her silence spoke volumes, "I'll go pack my bags and move into the hotel in town."
Kimmy wrapped her arms around Kimber as she wept, she just kept saying softly
"Why Mark, why?"