BlackWind by Charlotte Boyett-Compo Read Free Book Online Page A

suitor.
    “Dr. McGregor, I—” he began, but Dermot's infuriated shout stopped him.
    “If you think you will ever be a part of my family, Cullen, I suggest you think again! I have no intention of allowing Bronwyn to take up with the likes of you!”
    “What exactly is the likes of me, Dr. McGregor?” he asked, his voice tight.
    McGregor leaned into Sean's face. “Uneducated, conniving, poor white trash.”
    Sean lifted his chin. “I have an IQ of one-sixty, Dr. McGregor. I—”
    “I doubt that. You failed your senior year of high school. Even a blind man could see you're a worthless deadbeat looking for an easy meal ticket.”
    “A meal ticket?”
    “Do you think everybody is as stupid as you are?” McGregor punched Sean in the chest with his index finger. “Don't you think I know what you're after?”
    Sean stared into McGregor's eyes. “What is it you think I want, Doctor?”
    “You want to continue seeing my daughter and that's not going to happen. I certainly would never allow someone like you to court her! Just the thought of you wanting to marry her makes my flesh crawl!”
    Though he knew the hurt likely flickered across his face, Sean held his ground. “Does it matter that I love her and that—?”
    “And that you want her daddy's money?”
    “I don't want your money,” Sean replied through clenched teeth. “I will provide for us.”
    “Oh, really?” McGregor drawled nastily. He jabbed his finger into Sean's chest again. “And just how the hell do you think you could ever provide for my daughter washing cars?”
    Sean flinched, but didn't move back from the painful jab. “I won't always be washing cars, Dr. McDermott. I will be able to support us.”
    “Doing what?” Dermot scoffed, his upper lip curled.
    “I haven't decided yet, but—”
    “You are nothing more than a shanty Irish con man, Cullen, and the chances are good you'll end up in a prison somewhere.”
    Sean winced at the prediction. “I'm not that kind of man, Dr. McGregor, I—”
    “Stay away from my daughter,” McGregor warned, his eyes narrowed into thin slits. “Because if you don't, I'll have you arrested.”
    A muscle jumped in Sean's jaw. “On what charge?”
    “Contributing to the delinquency of a minor. I have friends in law enforcement, and believe me when I tell you, I'll see they throw the book at you and keep you locked up for as long as possible!”
    Sean stared into the enraged man's eyes. He could read the fury boiling in McGregor's mind and had no doubt that Bronnie's father would make good on his threat. The thought of being put into a cell, locked in, confined, brought sweat to his brow and nausea to the back of his throat. He ran a trembling hand across his mouth.
    McGregor smiled brutally. “I think we understand one another, don't you?”
    “I love her,” Sean said, ashamed that his voice broke on the words.
    “How much?” McGregor asked as he pulled out his checkbook.
    “I don't want your money.”
    McGregor ignored him. He filled in the check, stripped it from the book, and extended it toward Sean. “Beggar's can't be choosers, you know. Take it. I think you'll find I've compensated you quite well for defending my daughter that time at St. Teresa's.”
    Sean glanced at the check, but did not reach for it. He turned his back to Bronwyn's father and picked up the water hose.
    “I'll mail it to you,” McGregor said, stepping back from the spray of water Sean directed at the automobile.
    Sean did not reply. He plucked a sponge from a galvanized bucket near the car's fender and bent to the job of washing the hood.
    “Remember what I told you, Cullen! Come near her again and I will go to the authorities!” McGregor waited a moment to see if his words would get a rise out of Sean. When they didn't, he shrugged, pocketed the check, and barely glanced at Andy and Zeke, who moved out of his way as he entered the shop.
    * * * *
    Deirdre met her husband in the garage. She opened the car door for