"Ah, you Americans. This is but a small walk. Try climbing Mt. Brandon if you'd like a nice hike." Fiona breezed on down, years of hiking the hills making her steps confident. Keelin followed more slowly. Her klutzy side was bound to make her trip and go rolling off the path to meet her death on the sharp rocks below.
Keelin watched as her grandmother gathered flowers on the way down. She kept up a constant lesson of various herbs and bushes, and Keelin began to notice that many of them were tied with ribbons.
"What are the ribbons for?" Keelin asked.
"I harvest herbs based on the moon and other astrological elements."
Keelin laughed.
Her grandmother stopped and looked at her. She shook her head and kept walking. Keelin could have sworn she heard her say, "There is more to heaven and earth, Horatio…"
"Shakespeare?" Keelin asked. Fiona nodded and kept walking.
"Okay, then." She blew out a breath and made a note not to laugh about the astrology stuff. She couldn't knock some of it. Even science had proven that the sea's tides were governed by the pull of the moon. Perhaps there was more to these forces than she knew.
They approached the bottom of the path and Keelin steadied her breathing as the necklace hummed at her throat. Stepping from the path onto the warm sand, Fiona reached out a hand and stopped Keelin from proceeding further.
"No further. Just look." Fiona spread her hands out and turned. Her face creased into a smile and the sun shone its warm light onto her. She laughed and held her arms up to the sky, looking like a yogi doing a mountain pose.
The cove spread before them, infinite in its beauty. Here, the wind was sheltered and the sun's rays were soft. The cliffs, which were so scary from above, cradled them, creating a feeling of safety. Keelin wanted to rip her clothes off and dive in and float in the effervescent waters. It was the most private of places, a piece of her, and she felt that she had come home.
"I know," Fiona said. "This is home."
"It – there are no words. I feel giddy," Keelin said. She wanted to dance naked on the sand. She could almost feel the cool caress of the water and the weightless feeling as she floated, unencumbered, and stared at the sky. Dizziness hit her, and she grabbed her water flask and took a sip to clear her head. Never had the call of the ocean hit her as hard as this.
"It calls to you. To anyone, actually. Those who are too weak often go running right in and are pulled out to sea. It beckons." Fiona nodded towards the water. "You must never go past this point without saying a prayer or giving an offering. Remember that."
Fiona pulled the bundles of flowers she had tied on the walk from her bag. With a small stick, she drew a circle in the sand and pulled Keelin into it with her.
"It is with purity of purpose, the greatest of admiration, and respect for the power here that we ask to enter the cove. As descendants of Grace O'Malley, we enter the cove with love, as is our birthright." Fiona laid the bundles of flowers outside the circle and handed a bunch to Keelin.
"Come, we can put these in the water as well." Fiona held her flowers in front of her and walked softly towards the water, pulling Keelin with her.
The water rippled towards them, coaxing them closer. Fiona laughed freely.
"It has such a mood. A siren's song, if you will. Many who come here are lost to it. It will be nice to us though. We've brought the appropriate gifts and it will be happy that you are home," Fiona said. Together, they flung the flowers far into the water. Keelin felt happiness pierce her heart as she watched the blooms flutter down to the water, where they rested gently on the waves.
Fiona peeled off her boots and, laughing with abandon, ran to the water's edge. She threw another bouquet of flowers into the air and they split, showering down onto a wave that reached up to catch them. Mesmerized by the sight, Keelin stood frozen.
"Come, Keelin!"
Keelin raced to the water. She skidded to a stop next to Fiona and let the water caress her ankles. Grains of sand squished between her toes and the sun warmed her shoulders. The feelings were intoxicating. Keelin never wanted to leave.
"Let me show you my favorite spots," Fiona said, eagerly pulling Keelin down the shoreline. Fiona stopped in front of a small cluster of rocks that formed a tidal pool with about six inches of clear water. Keelin could make out small fish darting between the rocks, and thin strands of a bright green seagrass waved in the water. Fiona bent and culled some of the grass and placed it in a small jar with seawater.
"This is the best stuff for the face creams that I make. Something about this particular seagrass works better than any other I have seen," Fiona explained. Keelin looked at the lines around Fiona's eyes and realized that she really did look far more youthful than her eighty years would suggest.
"I'm allowed to use my knowledge for some vanity, you know." Fiona winked at Keelin and she laughed. Fiona spent the afternoon showing Keelin nooks and crannies, tidal pools filled with interesting sea life, certain seaweeds and moss for healing, and various plants that grew along the water's edge.
"Is it safe to swim? I can't see any undercurrents from the surface," Keelin asked. She was dying to get in the water.
"Yes, it is, but I will wait on the shore for you. I want to tie up the plants that I collected."
Stripping to her bra and underwear, Keelin dove in with abandon. The cool water slipped over her skin and she dove deep, waiting for her favorite part – the feeling of weightlessness. As she hung, suspended, Keelin turned on her back and looked up towards the sky. The salt stung her eyes, yet she could never resist cracking her eyes just once, looking up at the sky and watching her bubbles of air float over her. These moments hung still, almost timeless, and were her favorite part of being in the sea. She swam to the surface and broke free, laughing.
"It's so beautiful here!" She swam in towards the beach and walked out of the water. Her underwear clung to her like a second skin and she bent over and shook out her long hair. Wringing the water out, she stood up in time to see Fiona waving at something behind her. Keelin jumped and turned in time to see a small boat in the cove and the familiar glint of blue eyes gleaming at her. She saw the flash of a bright smile and heat flushed up her body. Her wet bra and underwear left nothing to the imagination and Flynn made a slow perusal of her body. His dog raced back and forth in the boat with him and barked excitedly as Flynn pulled a net in. Flynn sent her a jaunty wave.
Keelin gave him the finger and stormed back up the beach.
"I thought nobody could come in the cove," Keelin steamed to Fiona as she pulled her t-shirt over her wet clothes. She was furious that Flynn had caught her at a disadvantage again.
"I said people who were searching for treasure or didn't protect themselves. Flynn learned long ago the ways of the cove. His respect is rewarded in the freshest of seafood and he gets premium prices for what he catches from here."
"Hmpf." Keelin glared at him over the water. That man showed up at the damnedest of times.
With a small smile, Fiona hummed a song and gathered her finds for the day.
"Come, let's go eat. I'm famished. Perhaps we can ride into town for a pint."
Keelin nodded her agreement. Quickly, she gathered her goods and refused to look back at the small boat on the cove. She had given Flynn enough satisfaction for the day.
Chapter 10
Fiona warmed up an Irish stew and brown bread for dinner. Starving, Keelin found herself asking for seconds. She made a note to pay attention to what she ate here. All this brown bread could not be good for her waistline. She sighed. Not like she had the best waistline as it was, but her soft curves still showed a nice hourglass figure. Keelin blushed at thinking of Flynn seeing her in her underwear. Usually she wore a one-piece and a cover-up at the pool.
"Grandma, can you tell me about my father? Is he still here? Mom won't talk of him."
It had been on Keelin's mind all day and she hadn't known the best way to bring it up. Keelin typically went the direct route with these thin
gs so she decided to spring it on Fiona.
"Yes, I know your father. He no longer lives in Grace's Cove. The poor man really struggled after your mother left. He did eventually marry and have children though."
"Excuse me? Children? I have brothers or sisters?" Keelin said. Her hand slammed the plate she was holding to the table and she struggled to take a breath. Her mother had never said a word. Keelin's heart pounded as she thought of seeing siblings that looked like her.
"Well, yes. Did you think that he never moved on? Why hasn't your mother told you this?" Fiona tsk-tsked as she cleared the table. "You have a half-sister and a half-brother. Twins. They still live here. Your father lives in Dublin. I suppose it will only be right for me to take you to meet them." Fiona smoothed the cloth that she had dried the dishes with.
"I, I. I don't even know what to say. A brother and a sister." Keelin felt tears prick her eyes at the injustice of not knowing about her family. She had always wanted siblings. Fiona crossed to her and gently rubbed her arm. Keelin could feel a cool balm course through her from Fiona's touch.
"Let's go down for a pint. You look like you need a drink. We can talk more."
Keelin, still reeling from the surprise of not being an only child, stumbled her way into her room to change into fresh clothes. How could Fiona have told her this news so casually? She truly must have thought that Margaret told her about the twins. Keelin made a mental note to have a serious word with her mother. She wondered what other secrets she would uncover during her stay. Keelin glanced quickly at her phone to see that there were no missed calls. Margaret hadn't called yet to check in with her. Keelin sighed and moved to her closet.
What to wear to an Irish pub? Not sure of the dress code in a small village, she pulled on a maxi skirt, boots, and a black scoop-neck top. She topped the outfit off with a statement necklace, left her long hair to curl loosely in beachy waves from the sea salt, and added some mascara to make her eyes pop. This was as good as it would get after a day like today, she thought. Ancient pirates, healers, universal powers, protection prayers, and the addition of new family members was enough to make her want to curl up in bed with her iPad and a bucket of ice cream.
Keelin found Fiona in front of the cottage in a late-model cherry-red SUV. She looked stylish with her hair tamed in a braid, wearing a white blouse tucked into a navy skirt with flowers embroidered at the hem. Silver drops winked at her ears and Keelin could see a necklace of intricate crystals around her neck.
"Come on! Girl's night!" Fiona laughed at her.
Smiling, Keelin hopped in and watched as the sun tucked itself into the horizon. The cliffs turned crimson in the soft light and the cove took on a dreamlike quality. If she painted, Keelin would do it in watercolor and call it "Goodnight Kiss."
"Tell me about my brother and sister," Keelin said. The words felt weird. She had always wished for a sister or brother but had certainly not expected to discover a pair of siblings this late in life.
"Your father was devastated after your mother left but, like most men, he didn't function well on his own. He went looking for someone to fill her place and eventually settled with a quiet young woman from the neighboring village. Your sister and brother were born quite quickly after their wedding and we aren't entirely sure if a full nine months had passed, if you get my meaning. Though, I hear that twins come early."
"How old are they?"
"Hmm, let's see, this was two years after your mother left. So I'd say 26 or 27? A couple of years younger than you."
"Where do they live?"
"They are both in the village; your brother helps to run the local chemist in the next town over and your sister has an art studio downtown."
Keelin wondered if it was the storefront with the lace that she had stopped to admire.
"Their names?" Keelin asked quietly.
"Oh my! Yes, of course. Colin and Aislinn. Fine Irish names." Fiona pulled into a small lot behind a brightly colored pub. A cheerful red door complemented the deep blue of the building, and the sound of a pipe lilted through the open door.
"Ahh, the first set is starting," Fiona said.
Keelin noticed the rough-hewn sign with the deeply etched "Gallagher's Pub" that hung over the door. She hoped this was the same pub that the nice girl she had met at the airport owned. She assumed it was. Just how many Gallagher's Pubs could there be in this village?
Keelin walked into the pub and scanned the room. Booths were crammed with families, and people of all ages laughed and jostled each other as they clapped along with the band that was tucked into a small booth in front. The walls were cluttered with family photos, the path was clear to the bar, and the lighting was just right to complement the females of the place. Keelin followed Fiona as she wove her way to the bar, and noticed some people quickly step out of her way and cross themselves. Others greeted Fiona with a shout.
"Two Bulmers, please." Fiona ordered for her. "You'll love the local cider. Crisp and refreshing after a day like today."
Keelin nodded. She preferred whiskey, but a cider did sound refreshing. Her neck tingled. She turned her head and saw the flash of blue eyes that seemed to follow her. Flynn sat in the middle of the booth and strummed a cheerful tune on his banjo, matching his deep baritone to the lilting soprano in the group. His large hands caressed the banjo lovingly and Keelin found herself mesmerized by the way he stroked the instrument. His fingers played lightly across the strings and she imagined his hands on her. Cursing herself, she flushed as his eyes met hers and he cracked a smile. Damn that man. Of course he played an instrument too. Was there anything he couldn't do?
Keelin gulped down half of her cider and followed her grandmother to a small table. Keelin was introduced to a few of the locals. She scanned the room and hoped to see Cait.
"Hello."
Keelin turned and saw a blond man standing by her table. He was tall and lanky and was just saved from boyishness by a stubborn jut to his jaw. His brown eyes were nice, yet his smile didn't fully reach his eyes.
"I'm Shane MacAuliffe. You must be Fiona's granddaughter, Keelin." He held out his hand.
"Yes, hello. Nice to meet you." Keelin held out her hand. Shane held it a beat longer than was polite and Keelin saw healthy male admiration in his eyes. She allowed her smile to deepen. What a perfect distraction this could be from the surly male tucked in the front booth.
"Join us, please." Keelin patted a spot on the bench next to her. She noticed Fiona didn't address Shane, but she was engaged in conversation with people to her right.
"I'd love to, thank you." Shane sat close to Keelin and began to quiz her about the States. He spoke longingly of the freedom of big towns and Keelin wondered if he yearned for more than what Grace's Cove offered to him. His brown eyes took on a sense of anticipation as he hung on Keelin's words about Boston.
On her second round of cider, Keelin laughed at Shane. "Enough about me! Tell me about yourself." Keelin had noticed that not many people in the pub had spoken with Shane, though he had waved at many. Something was off here. A flash of bitterness crossed his face and then his features smoothed.
"I work here in town. I'm in commercial real estate and own many of the business properties downtown. As a landlord, I guess you could say that I’m not the most popular guy in a town that struggles to make rent." He produced a sheepish grin with the statement and looked at her from under his eyebrows.
Keelin was charmed. Her mother would love Shane. Which meant Keelin could never date him. No harm making friends though, she thought. Shane proceeded to point people out around the bar and regale her with local lore. She found herself laughing and enjoying his company. He wasn't such a bad guy. Risking a look, she glanced towards the musicians in the front booth. The smug smile gone, Flynn met her eyes directly. Not my problem, she thought. She wanted nothing to do with him. She lifted her chin and looked away.
"Keelin!" Cait waved to her from behind the bar. The band was on break and Keelin excused herself to go say hello
to Cait. Cait looked petite behind the bar but managed to keep conversations going as she topped off three glasses of Guinness that waited to settle and poured a whiskey neat.
"How are you settling in?" Cait asked.
"I'm doing good. It's really been a whirlwind. I'm learning a lot. Like way too much." The cider was catching up with her a bit and Keelin bit down on her lip before she said something revealing.
"Well, I've earned myself a break. Let's have a sip of whiskey to commemorate your arrival and you can tell me what you were talking with Shane about. He seems to like you."
Keelin caught a hint of bitterness there.
"No, no. He's just a nice guy talking to me about the town."
"Mmm." Cait made a noncommittal noise and eased herself under the pass-through. Nudging a few guys out of the way, she cleared a spot for Keelin and her to sit at a high table in the back.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Cait asked her as she raised her glass to Keelin in a toast.
"No, I'm single. I have been for a while to be honest. Boston guys just want quick one-night stands and I'm just not into that." Keelin couldn't bring herself to say that they didn’t want one-night stands with her – the bigger girl who had a hint of something off about her. She just never seemed to manage herself well in normal relationships.
"Well, men are nothing but trouble anyway and I've sworn myself off them. For a while at least." Cait laughed at her but Keelin saw her watch Shane as she said that.
"Trouble they are." Keelin glanced quickly to the front booth, but Flynn was gone. Shrugging, she returned to the conversation.
"So, you found out about Colin and Aislinn, I'm assuming?" Being a bartender must have taught Cait to cut to the quick of things.
"Whoa. Yes, holy shit. I mean, how do I just go through twenty-eight years of not knowing that I have a sister and a brother?" Keelin slammed her hand flat on the table. "I mean, come on!"
"No kidding. Someone should have told you. They knew about you. It's only fair." Holding up her whiskey in commiseration, Cait clinked her glass to Keelin's.
The Mystic Cove Series Boxed Set (Wild Irish Books 1-4) Page 6