"Why, Cait! So good to see you!" Fiona said as she opened the heavy wooden door. Pulling the door open wider, she gestured for Cait to step into the cottage. Cait bent to give the old woman a brief hug and worried that her bones seemed frail.
"What brings you here?" Fiona stepped back and assessed Cait carefully. Her face fell as she got a read on Cait's emotions. "Oh, poor girl. Your mother?"
For what seemed like the gazillionth time that day, tears jumped into Cait's eyes. Cait nodded once before allowing Fiona to wrap her arms around her.
"I don't know why I let her get to me," Cait whispered into Fiona's neck.
"Because she is your mother and she'll always get to you," Fiona said briskly and stepped back, patting her shoulder. She motioned to her two wooden rocking chairs tucked in an alcove of the cozy room. "Come, sit. Whiskey?"
Cait nodded and made her way to a rocking chair, slipping into the worn wood seat and allowing the arms to envelop her. She stared blindly into the flickering flames of the small fire that Fiona had going in the stove. Though it was warm out, the fire provided just enough heat to keep the cottage cozy, not unbearable.
Fiona handed Cait a small glass of whiskey and settled into the seat next to her. They held their glasses in the air.
"Slàinte," Cait said and admired the way the whiskey caught the light of the fire before taking a healthy sip. The liquid burned a trail to her stomach and she allowed the familiar comfort to ease the tension in her shoulders. Never a big drinker, she'd always enjoyed a single glass of whiskey at the end of the night to wind down.
"I saw Grace," Cait blurted out as Fiona began to speak.
"What? When?" Fiona said, deterred from asking about Cait's mother.
"Um, just now. At the cove," Cait said and fidgeted with her jeans. Her mind was still reeling from what she had seen though Cait swore that her heart felt stronger because of the encounter.
"Why, that is just wonderful. She rarely appears anymore, you know," Fiona said and looked carefully at Cait. "You must have been in a fair level of distress then for her to appear."
"I suppose that I was," Cait demurred.
"Your mother? Or something else?"
"I…I don't know. All of it, I guess. My mother. Shane. Life. My ability or lack thereof to handle normal relationships," Cait said and shrugged her shoulders.
"Ah, I see. That's quite a lot for one evening," Fiona said.
Cait huffed out a laugh. "Yes, yes it's been quite a day indeed."
"And what did Grace have to say about it all?"
"She pretty much gave me a kick in the ass along the lines of… ‘no descendent of mine is unworthy of anything…don't you know how awesome I am?’" Cait laughed into her whiskey. There was no denying that Grace O'Malley was one tough cookie.
"Yes, that certainly sounds like her. No time for sniveling or bemoaning your fate on her watch," Fiona laughed at Cait.
"Why does the cove glow blue?" Cait blurted out.
"Oh! Well, now, isn't that interesting?" Fiona smiled widely at Cait. Cait felt a little like a mouse about to be pounced on by a hungry cat.
"Is it? I thought that I was imagining things the other night but then I saw it again today," Cait said.
"What night? When did you see it?" Fiona swatted away today's occurrence.
"Um, well, at Keelin's wedding. I walked down there to catch some air," Cait said.
"And with whom did you walk?"
"I was alone," Cait said staunchly.
"Liar," Fiona said smoothly and Cait laughed.
"Ah, lord save me from women with mystical powers!" Cait said.
"Oh, it wasn't my powers, my dear. The cove only glows blue in the presence of love. Today would make sense as Grace loves you…but the wedding?" Fiona raised her eyebrow and took a small sip of her whiskey.
Cait felt heat creep up her cheeks at the mention of love. So, that was the secret to the glow, she mused. Part of her felt a sense of awe at being loved by a ghost and the other part of her felt sick to her stomach as she thought about being in love with Shane.
"Shane came to find me. He was worried about me being too close to the edge and having been drinking," Cait whispered.
She jumped as Fiona clapped her hands and laughed.
"Perfect! Love it is. Now, go get your man and tell him what you are," Fiona said. Cait stared at her as if she had grown two heads.
"I…what? I can't go get him and I certainly can't tell him about…this," Cait said and pointed to her head.
"Why not?" Fiona asked.
"Because…because…it's insanity, is what it is," Cait stuttered out.
"The Donovans don't seem to think so," Fiona said, referencing the couple that Cait had helped.
"Yeah, but I don't have to live with them. Imagine any man wanting to be with me once he knows that I can read his every thought if I want," Cait said furiously. Her old feelings of not being good enough bubbled to the surface.
"You won't know that until you ask," Fiona said.
"Yeah, I can pretty much guarantee you that's a no," Cait said and stood to go.
"I don't think that you give Shane enough credit," Fiona said and Cait stopped.
"It's not that I don’t give him credit. It's just that…no man could put up with this," Cait said helplessly.
"No normal man. But this man loves you. Don't you think that is enough?"
"I don't know if I believe in love," Cait said stubbornly.
"Ah, well, then. I suppose you know it all," Fiona said serenely and pulled out her knitting basket.
"I didn't say that. I just…listen, it's been a long day and I just wanted to check on you," Cait said, standing over Fiona's chair.
"No need to check on me, dear. I'm not the one having a breakdown," Fiona said. She accepted Cait's kiss on her papery cheek without comment and Cait made a beeline for the door.
Having a breakdown? Cait scoffed at the idea and turned the music all the way up to drown out her thoughts on the way back into the village.
Chapter 14
Cait woke early after another fitful night of sleep. Seeing as though she was feeling broody, she knew nothing could be better than some girl talk to kick her out of it. Since Keelin was out of town, Aislinn would be the next logical choice. Checking the time, Cait saw that she had at least an hour before Aislinn's shop opened.
Cait eyed her apartment. She lived a fairly minimalist lifestyle, so there wasn't much in the way of cleaning to occupy her. Picking up a stack of papers, she ran through her list of bills and inventory for the pub. Finding everything up to date, she sighed and eyed the kitchen. She rarely baked, except if she was in a mood. If she baked now, then she would be acknowledging that Shane had put her in a mood, Cait thought stubbornly. Then she thought about Aislinn's lovely homemade tea and knew that her scones would go perfectly with it. Sighing, she rose and walked to her pantry.
An hour later, Cait wiped her brow and stared down at her perfect cinnamon raisin scones. The scent made her mouth water and she was tempted to take a bite now. Instead, she tucked them in a small cloth-lined basket and went to change her clothes. Realizing that her mind was more at ease now, she smiled as she brushed a hint of the wedding makeup on and fluffed her short curls. Cait picked out a bright red tank to lighten her mood and threw on Aislinn's pretty beaded necklace. Checking her watch, she grabbed her basket and left her apartment, her mind already on things to do for the day.
The morning sunshine greeted her and Cait waved hello to a few people on the street. The crisp sea air stole up the road from the water and Cait drew in a big breath. She never tired of this view. She loved her small village fiercely and was determined to hold her own with her pub there for many years to come. Whistling a bit, she strolled down the hill, passing colorful shops and markets along the way. She smiled at the tourists lined up and waiting for their tickets to the harbor cruises. Tourism was good for their village, as were the free drink tickets she gave out to the passengers of the boat cruise. R
eaching Aislinn's shop, Cait stopped to admire her most recent window display.
Instead of her usual lace doilies and charming watercolors, Aislinn had lined the window with edgy black-and-white photos of everyday Irish life. Cait had to hand it to her, Aislinn certainly had an eye for catching the heart of Ireland. Seeing a picture of Gallagher's pub with an old man leaning against the building with a pipe, Cait sighed. Of course she would have to buy that for the pub now. A soft tinkle of bells rang out as Cait pushed the door open.
Cait stopped mid-stride as she took in the scene before her. Aislinn was giggling and tucking her hair behind her ear while talking to a man that Cait had never seen before. Cait's mouth dropped open as cool and calm Aislinn all but preened for the gentleman she was speaking to. Aislinn didn't even glance towards the door, so Cait took her time and circled quietly, trying to get a look at the man discreetly. She moved to a stack of hand-painted postcards and peered around it to take in the new visitor that was making Aislinn all aflutter.
Tall, dark, and yum, was all Cait could think as she scanned the neatly dressed man. Brown hair cut close to his scalp accented light gray eyes tucked behind trim wire-framed glasses. Cait gave a soft sigh. There was just something about glasses on a good-looking man. Checking out the rest of the package, Cait determined that though he appeared fairly preppy and orderly, his body filled out his well-cut suit. She would place money that he had at least a six-pack under that prim button down shirt. With no qualms at all, Cait let down her shields and reached out to his mind.
A psychiatrist? Hmm, now wasn't that interesting, Cait thought. She watched as he spoke quietly to Aislinn about a black-and-white photo. Cait didn't have to read his mind to see his interest in Aislinn. Hoping that this could finally be the one for Aislinn, Cait made her way across the shop.
"Hello, there. You must be new in town," Cait said and held out her free hand to the man, who jumped slightly at her words.
"Ah, yes, that I am," the man said as he held out his hand automatically.
"Cait Gallagher, cousin to this beautiful lady," Cait said cheerfully.
"Baird Delaney," Baird said and turned to smile at Aislinn, frank male appreciation in his eyes.
Cait gulped as her mouth went dry. Whoa, boy, if she wasn't already hooked on Shane she would go for the delicious doctor herself.
"I'm Aislinn, nice to meet you," Aislinn said automatically.
"Well, yes, we met a few moments ago," Baird said teasingly and Aislinn blushed.
Cait's mouth dropped open. She couldn't remember ever having seen Aislinn blush before.
"Right, of course," Aislinn stammered.
Cait took pity on her.
"So, Baird, are you visiting from…?"
"I'm in from Galway, but actually, I plan to set up my practice here for a while. I just rented the office building down by the water with the apartment above it." Baird gestured towards the water.
"Ah, yes, a right fine building. Good landlord, as well," Cait said. That building was owned by Shane and Cait had always admired it.
"Yes, he's great. We are going to grab a beer at Gallagher's Pub this weekend." Baird smiled.
"Well, then, I certainly hope you enjoy the experience. Best pub in town," Cait said and smiled widely at Baird.
Aislinn elbowed her.
"It's her pub, so of course she'd say that," Aislinn said.
"Is it? How interesting. I had assumed that a man owned it. Now it is even more appealing," Baird said with an easy smile for Cait.
"That's right. I run a fine establishment. As does Aislinn. Isn't her work lovely?" Cait wanted to shift the conversation back to Aislinn as she could tell that Aislinn was getting jealous.
"It is. I was hoping to purchase a few of these prints for my new office," Baird said as he gestured to several of the prints that he had picked from the walls.
"Right fine choices you've made there," Cait said as she admired the pictures.
The conversation stalled for a moment. Cait cleared her throat.
"Um, I'll just be putting these scones back in the courtyard. Would you like to join us for tea, Dr. Delaney?" Cait said.
"Baird, please. Some other time; I need to get unpacked," Baird said.
"Ah, well then, I'll be seeing you this weekend for a pint then," Cait said with an easy smile and swung the basket jauntily from her elbow as she moved into Aislinn's small courtyard that was tucked behind her shop. Cait found herself humming as she set up plates on the long picnic table in the middle of the yard. Well, wasn't this interesting? It would be fun to watch Aislinn in a romance. She'd yet to see her cousin truly open her heart to anyone.
At home in Aislinn's space, Cait stepped into the kitchen to set water to heat before taking cups and napkins back to the table. Sitting down, Cait stretched her legs out and leaned back to let the sun warm her skin, knowing that Aislinn would bring the water and tea to meet her shortly.
"I'm dying." Aislinn's voice broke through Cait's relaxation. Cait smiled up at her cousin as she hurried to Cait with a teapot.
"Dying to jump him? Yummmm," Cait said with a laugh.
"I can't even…I've never been so flustered before," Aislinn said with real concern on her face. Cait sat up and studied her face.
"I thought that you liked him?" Cait said.
"I…I do. I’ve just never felt such a powerful attraction so quickly," Aislinn said as she poured tea into the cups.
"But, isn't that a good thing?"
"Not with a psychiatrist! Could you imagine? Me…constantly scatterbrained and lost in my art and him all precise and wanting to analyze things?" Aislinn visibly shuddered. "It would be hell."
"Come on now, you don't know that. He seemed nice," Cait said and scooped some fresh cream onto her plate before uncovering her scones and placing them on the plates.
Aislinn grabbed her scone and bit into it distractedly.
"I don't know, Cait. It was like…I couldn't even read him, I was so blinded by his aura. There was no objectivity at all." Aislinn gestured with her scone.
"Hmm, sounds hot," Cait said jokingly.
"It's not. It's scary. I don't know how to handle that type of feeling," Aislinn admitted worriedly.
"Have you ever been in love before?" Cait asked.
"No, not really. Passionate relationships? Yes. But never love, not really." Aislinn shrugged her shoulders and stared across the courtyard.
"I think that I might be," Cait whispered.
Aislinn perked up immediately.
"Shane? Yes!"
"Well, yes, who else?" Cait said.
"So, did you sleep with him yet?"
"What? No, not yet, at least. I think that he is dating someone else," Cait admitted and filled Aislinn in on what had happened yesterday. Aislinn fanned her face mockingly.
"Wow, that's some hot stuff, Cait. It doesn't sound like the blonde is in the picture; why don't you just read his mind?" Aislinn said.
"Well, that's my other problem. Fiona wants me to tell him about me," Cait said.
"Oh," Aislinn said quietly.
"See! I knew that you would get it. Fiona thinks it is no big deal and that he'll love me anyway. I think it's a really big deal," Cait said as she brandished her scone in front of her face.
"Well, sure. He might not want you knowing his every thought," Aislinn said.
"Exactly."
"Can you tell him that you put blocks up so you don't hear everything?" Aislinn knew how Fiona had trained Cait to survive with her ability years ago.
"Ha…right. He'll already be halfway out the door by then," Cait said bitterly.
"I don't know. I don't think so. Shane is pretty levelheaded. I think that he would hear you out," Aislinn said.
"I don't know what to do. I'm not used to being this torn up."
Aislinn reached out and squeezed her arm.
"I know, I can see it all over you. And, you didn't even tell me about your mom but I can read it a mile away. Bad?"
"Bad. We are done," Cait said softly.
"Well, good riddance to that crazy old bat," Aislinn said firmly, startling a laugh from Cait.
"Thanks, Aislinn. This is exactly what I needed. Now, promise you'll come to see me this weekend when Dr. Yum comes to visit," Cait said.
"Maybe. I don't know," Aislinn demurred. The tinkling of her front-door bells stopped her from saying more and she stood to go greet her new customer.
"Saved by the bell!" Cait yelled after her and stood to clear the table.
Chapter 15
Shane found himself staring out of the window for what seemed like the millionth time that day. With a sigh, he pushed his papers aside and propped his face in his hands. It had been three days since Cait had turned her back on him at his farm. He felt like he'd been kicked in the gut and had barely been able to eat this week.
Like some lovesick puppy, he scoffed to himself.
He'd been forward with her, Shane thought. He'd done the things that a man was supposed to do when he wanted a real relationship with a woman. Shane had bought her flowers and deliberately didn't let things get out of hand at his stables. A small tug of lust hit him as he thought about Cait's trim body under his hands. Jesus, she was a firecracker, Shane thought.
Shane rose and went to stand at the window of his office. The water was a dazzling azure today and he longed to be out with the fishermen, away from the headaches of his work. Shane sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
What was with this week? It was like everything was falling down around him. He’d had Cait very literally in the palm of his hand and seconds later she was gone. And, now, his real-estate properties in Galway were mysteriously operating at a loss. He'd gone over the figures until his eyes blurred. Yet he'd been unable to find any discrepancy in the numbers.
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